English words and phrases of (surprising) French origin

How many of these English words and phrases did you realise have a French origin? They’re not obvious, including the British ‘loo’!

Lots of English words and phrases have evolved from other languages (you might argue that they all did, depending on how far back you go). As an editor of books set in France, I’m particularly interested in words with a French origin.

Let’s look at just five expressions that come from the French language.

Wreak havoc

Meaning: To cause destruction and extreme confusion.

Example of use: The storm wreaked havoc on the small seaside town.

Origin: The English term ‘wreak havoc’ stems from the old French expression for ‘plunder’: cry havot. This was used in the 13th century and evolved into a mixture of the two languages: ‘cry havoc’. Generals during a military campaign would shout, “Cry havoc!” to announce the battle was won and the soldiers could begin looting.

Despite Richard II banning the phrase (on pain of death!) in 1386, Shakespeare used it in some of his plays, so it lived on outside a military context.

Left in the lurch

Meaning: Left at a disadvantage, in a vulnerable or unsupported position.

Example of use: She didn’t pay her share of the rent and left me in the lurch.

Origin: This English expression comes from the card game cribbage, in which a player who is trailing by a wide margin is said to have been left in the lurch. This, in turn, comes from an old French dice game called lourche. The trailing player incurs a lourche (a disadvantage).

Hullabaloo

Meaning: A loud commotion or violent disturbance.

Example of use: When he arrived, the dogs created such a hullabaloo!

Origin: This term comes from hurluberlu, a 17th-century French word for ‘scatter-brained’. While the meaning has somewhat changed, the sense of chaos is still present!

Jeopardy

Meaning: To be in danger of injury, loss or death.

Example of use: If you tell the truth, your job could be in jeopardy.

Origin: The word ‘jeopardy’ is from the French jeu parti, meaning ‘divided game’. Such a game is of uncertain outcome.

Loo

Meaning: British English word for the toilet/restroom.

Example of use: I’ll just pop to the loo, then we can go.

Origin: The exact origin is unclear, but there are plenty of theories, many of which involve French. The most frequently cited origin is from a time when people emptied chamber pots out of the window, shouting, “Gardyloo!” to warn people below. This was from the French gardez l’eau, meaning ‘mind the water’. However, this expression seems to have become obsolete before the word ‘loo’ took hold.

Other explanations include the evolution of the French le lieu, meaning ‘the place’ (to do your business), and an adaptation of the 18th-century French word for chamber pot – bourdaloue.

After having read an OUP article about the origins of the word ‘loo’, reason suggests to me the most likely origin is le lieu. After all, the French use this as a euphemism for the toilet, as do the Germans (Lokus – the place). Let me know what you think!

Over to you

Which words or phrases of French origin do you know? Drop them in the comments!

If you liked this post, you may enjoy the others in the series:

• Everyday English phrases with sporting origins
• Surprising origins of food-related phrases
• Common English phrases involving animals

Thanks to Albert Jack’s Red Herrings and White Elephants and Harry Oliver’s March Hares and Monkeys’ Uncles for providing me with some of the source material for this article.

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