Inlingua Delhi lists 5 most beautiful French words and the story of their origin

Paris is the city of love and French is the language of romance. Linguistic experts at Inlingua Delhi celebrate the beauty of French language by bringing you the 5 most beautiful French words, and the story behind their origin. Have a look:
1. Etiquette
‘Etiquette’ originated in the French Court of Louis XIV at
Versailles. A number of étiquettes (little cards) were used by courtiers to
remember all the little nit-picky rules they needed to abide by while at court.
The word’s meaning gradually morphed into "how to conduct oneself properly
in a polite society".
2.
Panache
Literally meaning ‘feather’ or
‘plume’ worn on a hat or a helmet, ‘panache’ originated with King Henry IV of
France (1553 – 1610). A courageous military leader, he wore a white plume on
his helmet and was famed for his war cry: "Follow my white plume!" ("Ralliez-vous
à mon panache blanc !").
3.
Haute couture
Couture is French for sewing. This word is most
popularly known as part of a well-known syntagma ‘haute couture’ – high
fashion. Fashion has
been an important industry and cultural export of France since the 17th Century,
and modern haute couture originated in Paris in the 1860s. France has the term
haute couture protected by law and defined by the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris,
which determines which fashion houses have the right to call themselves a
couture house.
4.
Parapluie
Meaning ‘umbrella’, this is
another beautiful word that might just cheer you up on a rainy day. The origin
of this French word can be explained by splitting ‘parapluie’ in half to make para + pluie. Para- is a prefix used to indicate protection
and pluie is the French word for
‘rain,’ making the word’s literal translation as ‘protection from the rain’!
5.
Cliché
Cliché is a noun
derived from the verb clicher, meaning ‘to stereotype’. It is a past participle
form used as a noun. The word is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “a phrase or opinion that is
overused and betrays a lack of original thought or a very predictable or
unoriginal thing or personâ€. Cliché is one of the most popular French words
that have entered the vocabulary of many other languages.
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