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.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

soigné (swahn-YAY΄)

     A person is soigné (spelled soignée when referring to females, although the pronunciation is the same) if he or she is elegantly dressed and well groomed.  Soigné is the opposite of unkempt or poorly dressed.  The word can be used thus:

     Daniela, whom Kyle had met at the surf competition, looked surprisingly soignée at the benefit concert:  she was wearing a black Chanel suit with her hair in a chignon.

     Soigné is an easy snob word to work into your own vocabulary.  For example, you can slip it into a water cooler conversation like this:

     Our Danny looked so soigné at the rehearsal dinner!  He’s always been handsome, of course, but his perfectly tailored Hugo Boss suit—and his new short haircut—were such a change from his jeans, t-shirts, and dreadlocks.


Actor Cary Grant was known for being soigné.

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