Tag Archives: false friend

Exalté

Posted on 22 March 2012 by Tournesol

False Friend Alert: I could tell from the context on Europe1 radio (www.europe1.fr) from Paris this morning that ‘exaltée’ did not mean exalted, as the woman caller was ranting and raving in anger. Yes, exalté(es) means ‘wild, vivid, excited’, overexcited … Continue reading →

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Pavement et chauffeur

Posted on 29 August 2011 by Tournesol

Le pavement: I am always happily surprised when I discover a new ‘false friend’, and this, I think, is a good one. ‘Le pavement’ is ‘ornamental tiling’, and the English ‘pavement’ is ‘le trottoir’. Simples.  Un chauffeur: I was also surprised … Continue reading →

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Flippant

Posted on 21 August 2011 by Tournesol

I’ve just discovered a ‘false friend’ new to me: flippant. Looking in my Robert-Collins dictionary I find that the French version of the word means ‘grim/depressing’ in English. Having a weird sense of humour, I often aim to be flippant but I … Continue reading →

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