ad lib = improvised
ad nauseam = to the point of
disgust
al fresco = in the open air
bona fide = in good faith,
genuine, sincere
bon vivant - a person who
enjoys living life to the full
carte blanche - a free hand
cause célèbre -
controversial, public issue
caveat emptor - buyer beware
c'est la vie - That's life
compos mentis - of sound mind
coup de grâce - the
finishing stroke
crème de la crème - the
best of its kind
cri de coeur - a cry from the
heart, a heartfelt plea
fait accompli - something
already done
guru - spiritual leader or
teacher
infra dig - beneath dignity,
vulgar
in toto - as a whole
je ne sais quoi - hard to
define or describe
kitsch - sentimental bad
taste
modus operandi (abbreviation
mo) - way of working
per capita - per person, by
head of population
pièce de résistance - most
outstanding item
pied-à-terre - a second or
temporary home
prima donna - temperamental
performer
pro forma - according to or
as a matter of form
pundit - an authority in a
particular field
raison d'être - the purpose
of a thing or action
schmalz - excessive
sentimentality
status quo - the existing
state of affairs
tant pis - never mind, too
bad
tour de force - an
exceptionally skilful act
trompe l'oeil - an illusion
created to look like reality e.g. a view through a window painted on a brick wall.
