Snob Words: Making Sense of Words You Wish You Knew, But Don't



Snob words are lexical aristocrats, highfalutin' words and phrases--often derived from foreign languages--that never appear on sixth-grade spelling tests. They're words you don't know, but feel you should know.

And because you don't know them, you often feel excluded.

For example, when Architectural Digest reveals that the actress of the moment has just installed an étagère in her pied-á-terre--and you're left racing to find a French dictionary app--you're a victim of snob words. Those fortunate enough to know the terms are in on the secret, while you're left standing behind the red velvet rope.

This blog is an attempt to demystify snob words, which show up frequently in publications that cater to well educated, upscale readers.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

atelier (ah΄-tell-YAY΄)

     Atelier is French for "artist’s studio" or "craftsman’s workshop."  
     Snobby art critics and collectors often use atelier when referring to certain artists’ studios, usually those who are French or have worked in France.  
     One of these is Pablo Picasso, a Spaniard who had his first Paris atelier on a winding cobblestone street in the Montmartre district.
     Atelier packs a punch when thrown out in casual conversation.  Try something along these lines at your next board meeting:
     "Forgive me for coming in late.  I had lunch with David Hockney at his atelier, and traffic was a nightmare on the way back."

 Photos of Picasso's first Paris atelier, now a vacation rental on FlipKey


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