What Does My French Quote Mean? Quiz

Answer: On the menu with each dish priced separately

The "carte" in this expression simply means the card on which the individual dishes are listed and priced. The expression usually means everything can be ordered separately. This can be contrasted against the term "table d'hôte" which is a complete meal with the one overall price.

It is believed the first time the expression was cited in English was in the 1826 book "Notes and Reflections During a Ramble in Germany" which was written by one Joseph Sherer.

Answer: An aid to help memory

The expression means those notes or quick comments that have been jotted down in a notebook, which are then used, when referring back to the notes at a later date, to refresh the memory of an entire episode, speech, or something that has taken place. Though it had been used in France for many years previously, it was first used in English in G. Lewis's work "Aide-Mémoire to the Military Sciences" which was written in 1846.

Answer: Decorative art

This refers to a form of art that originated in France at the beginning of the 20th century. It incorporated both cubism and geometric shapes in its design - and sounds perfectly revolting if you ask me. I like to know what I'm actually looking at.

Answer: To be familiar with something

The term means being familiar and up to date with any new developments, or to be fully informed about something. Public servants are big on using the term here when huffing and puffing at work meetings in order to impress all the other huffers and puffers at the meeting.

Answer: Grated

It basically means grated, but usually it is used when something has been covered with butter, crumbs and grated cheese, before it has then been cooked to a nice shade of brown in whatever heating appliance is being used. For example, potatoes au gratin - yum!

Answer: A new innovation in some art form

Bit of a snooty term usually used by arty people when referring to new innovations in some form of design or art. It can also be used with a military emphasis to its meaning, as in "advance guard".

Answer: Someone or something that is detested

Something or someone that is anathema to another person, and whose mere presence is very unwelcome and unwanted. Doing tax returns sums that up perfectly for me.

Answer: Burnt cream

Basically it means a baked custard with a top that has been covered with caramelised sugar. If the sugar has been caramelised too long, you end up with a perfect example of my cooking - burnt. This quiz is making me hungry. Wow, now I sound like Kramer and his "These pretzels are making me thirsty" from the show "Seinfeld".

Answer: A cry from the heart

This one is a bit sad. It means an anguished cry from the heart and sums up all sorts of sorrowful images in one's mind. It can also mean a very heartfelt or sincere cry, but that's the same thing really.

Answer: A word or phrase with a double meaning

This means something that is rather vulgar and having indelicate or suggestive overtones. Television series such as "Are You Being Served?" are replete with expressions of double meanings of this sort, and to be honest I find them all really distasteful and about as subtle as a hunk of raw meat, ugh.