Snob Words: August 2012

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, August 4, 2012

par excellence (pahr'-ek-suh-LAWNS')

par excellence pronounced

Par excellence means the best person or thing of its kind.

Even among the elite group of Olympic swimmers, Michael Phelps stands out--he is a swimmer par excellence.

This baguette is the best I've tasted this side of France. This is truly bread par excellence.

It takes a baker par excellence to produce a true French baguette.
© Szpytma | Stock Free Images

The Web site architecturaldigest.com describes architect G.P. Schafer thus:

"A descendant of architects and an alumnus of several leading firms... Schafer has carved out a considerable niche as a builder par excellence."

Architect G.P. Schafer, 2012 AD100 list

Friday, August 3, 2012

chic (sheek)

Chic pronounced

Because chic is both a noun and an adjective, you can have chic as well as be chic.
Chic is style, elegance, and sophistication, but usually in a clever, individual way. Catherine Deneuve has chic; runway models may or may not, depending on how they dress and groom themselves on their own time.
While some women (and men) spend millions of dollars in an effort to obtain it, chic is not necessarily costly:

Carol has that natural chic that comes with being French: she could accessorize a burlap bag and come off looking stunning.

The word chic is generally used in relation to clothing, but it can be applied to almost anything. In a July 2012 article, The Wall Street Journal used it to modify grass.

"Pushing back against perfect lawns, some homeowners are adopting a shaggy-chic look for their properties, planting a long-haired meadow in the backyard, and even in front."

Read The New Lawn: Shaggy, Chic and Easy on the Mower