The words a language donates to the international vocabulary have a lot to do with what that language's speakers are most famous for. In the case of the Italians, music and art, and the French - food and sex!
You have 'menage a trois', 'soixante-neuf' and other such expressions.
On the culinary front, there are dozens: as well as baguette you have croissant, bouquet garni and many more. In the DR, 'petit pois' is the main word used for peas, as opposed to guisantes or chícharos.
'Sang froid' literally 'cold blood' but meaning composed in the sense of being cool and controlled, used to be commonly used in English. 'Crime passionel' - crime of passion.
Ever tried brainstorming Japanese words with a group of non-Japanese speakers? You'd be surprised how many words are in everyday use among English and Spanish speakers.
German offers zeitgeist (spirit of the times) and schadenfreude (enjoying someone else's misfortune), and Swedish gave us smorgasbord (assortment of food).
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Lesley D
53) paella (Spanish)- universal name for this infamous Spanish dish. No explanation required
|
Why infamous?