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beast · 01-10-2011, 02:56 AM

I was reading an old article (The 10 Coolest Foreign Words The English Language Needs | Cracked.com) and wondering how frequently the expression "l'esprit d'escalier" comes up. Is it very commonly used and understood? Because I think every English speaker realizes how badly we need an expression like this one.

Angela · 01-10-2011, 03:00 AM

I love that phrase, and I use it a lot, but I'm pretty sure I mispronounce it.

beast · 01-10-2011, 03:18 AM

I once said "camembert" to a French girl who said "ahhh! That time you sounded just like a French person!" After that, I've tried never to utter the word again, because I am absolutely positive that I could not replicate this.

As a general rule, I don't say French words aloud. But I sure am familiar with the esprit d'escalier feeling!

aelle · 01-10-2011, 03:25 AM

I'd say it's an expression that's well understood among well-read people, but I don't think it's very frequently used. There's a radio show on Arte Radio (an unapologetically intellectual channel) with that name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angela

I love that phrase, and I use it a lot, but I'm pretty sure I mispronounce it.

You would, wouldn't you! Here's a proper pronunciation.

Weena · 01-10-2011, 08:30 PM

hum, I'm well read and that means nothing to me... I never heard it in a conversation. And last time I watched Arte was when I still lived in Belgium (7 years ago) so I never saw the show.

It's like when people ask me about the word tabernacle (or whatever)

cacheborn · 01-11-2011, 05:48 AM

Cool. I did not know this expression.

ps. the candy in no 8 looks photoshopped.

01-10-2011, 02:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
beast Retired Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,501	Hey, French Speakers I was reading an old article (The 10 Coolest Foreign Words The English Language Needs \| Cracked.com) and wondering how frequently the expression "l'esprit d'escalier" comes up. Is it very commonly used and understood? Because I think every English speaker realizes how badly we need an expression like this one.

01-11-2011, 05:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
cacheborn Family Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,439	Cool. I did not know this expression. ps. the candy in no 8 looks photoshopped. Last edited by cacheborn; 01-11-2011 at 05:51 AM.

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01-10-2011, 03:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Angela Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 22,520	I love that phrase, and I use it a lot, but I'm pretty sure I mispronounce it.

01-10-2011, 03:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
beast Retired Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2,501	I once said "camembert" to a French girl who said "ahhh! That time you sounded just like a French person!" After that, I've tried never to utter the word again, because I am absolutely positive that I could not replicate this. As a general rule, I don't say French words aloud. But I sure am familiar with the esprit d'escalier feeling!

01-10-2011, 08:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Weena Family Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 3,852	hum, I'm well read and that means nothing to me... I never heard it in a conversation. And last time I watched Arte was when I still lived in Belgium (7 years ago) so I never saw the show. It's like when people ask me about the word tabernacle (or whatever)

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums