Mangled foreign phrases

[Dimandja]

I have at least one acquaintance who pronounces the latin phrase "per se" to sound like "per see". In fact, the meaning he imparts to this phrase is "at first sight" or "on the surface". The real meaning of "per se" is "In itself; for its own sake."

Do you know of any other foreign phrase that have lost their meaning and/or their pronounciation?

 

[ESquared]

Faux fur" is obviously pronounced "fox fur," isn't it!?!?

 

[Crowley16]

Dimandja, do you watch Only Fools and Horses?

 

[Dimandja]

Crowley16, no; I don't think that show has appeared in the USA yet.

 

[elanor]

It's not a foreign phrase, but I once worked with someone who insisted that this is, sadly, a doggie-dog world.

For months, I laughed out loud every time I thought of it.

Thanks!
Elanor

 

[SilentAiche]

Doggie-dog world" -- too, too funny!

This one is almost always mispronounced (here, anyway): Forte (pronounced as For-tay)

As in, "Writing code is not exactly my forte." [purple](true statement, by the way!)[/purple] Correct pronunciation in this context is simply "Fort."

I believe "For-tay" is some sort of musical term.

Tim

 

[columb]

I've always said fortay having received the pronunciation from my (exceptionally well educated) father. Dictionary.com gives both pronunciations as valid. I think this is a regional thing. (cf. fillet which I believe is pronounced feelay in the states and fill-it in the UK)

Columb Healy

 

[SilentAiche]

My 1970 Websters New World Dictionary didn't offer the Fortay pronunciation for the context I mentioned above. However, that pronunciation is so common now that I am not surprised at its adoption.

I do love regional differences. Of course, I'm a Southerner, where it is generally believed that the Three Wise Men arrived at the Manger covered in ashes and soot - after all, that had come from "a far."

Tim

 

[Stella740pl]

There was a discussion here about the word "forte" once. See here: thread1256-944853.

 

[CrystalStart]

I treated "per se" as "per say" and thanks to you I know better now:-D

 

[CajunCenturion]

CrystalStart - I believe the favored pronunciation of 'per se' is 'per say', and as Dimanjda pointed out, it means, 'by itself', or 'in and of itself'.

I think the intent of this thread was to point out the error and misuse, not to suggest that 'per se' has changed in meaning or pronunciation.

Good Luck
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[SilentAiche]

New Mexico's holiday tax is really a tax, per se, it more of a Santa Fe.

Tim

 

[CrystalStart]

CC,
I don't get it, am I using it correctly?

 

[CajunCenturion]

CrystalStart - If you pronouce 'per se' as 'per say' then you are pronouncing it correctly. When you use it, if you mean, 'in and of itself', then you are using it correctly.

Good Luck
--------------
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[SilentAiche]

Arrghh!

This is too stupid to deserve correction, but here goes: New Mexico's holiday tax is not really a tax, per se, it more of a Santa Fe.

Note to self: random thoughts that pop in your head while driving to work should be left in the truck... Santa Fee

Tim

 

[tsdragon]

The only problem with the "Santa Fe" is that it is pronounced "Santa Fay" not "Santa Fee".

Tracy Dryden

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
For you are crunchy, and good with mustard.

 

[SilentAiche]

Tracy,

Yep, knew that. Part of "joke" goes all the way back to Dimandja's original post about people pronouncing "per se" as "per see." I was hoping the tax reference would hint at an intentional mispronunciation of "fe" as "fee" Oh well. Not the first time I've overreached for a chuckle.

Tim