I remember the time when it was fashionable if not de rigeur to slip the odd French word into our conversations -made us look chic and gave us that certain je ne sais quoi which was so desirable back then.

Not so for the French – their language was sacred and would never be compromised. Well, changed days, monsieur.

The Daily Mail once published an article about the French culture minister trying to stop English ( & not so English!) words from invading the French language. It obviously didn’t work.

Since moving to France 6 years ago we have heard more & more English words & phrases creeping into the French vocabulary.

Some which have been around for a while or are fairly obvious such as cool, weekend, parking, too much, wi-fi (although this is pronounced wee-fee), hard discount ( and this is pronounced ‘ard deescoont otherwise no one knows what you’re talking about) etc need no explanation.

Don't look so worried, dear - eet ees a feenger in ze nose!! Ne t'inquiete pas ma cherie, it is a finger in the nose!

Others need a bit more thought:

“Je suis carpet ( pronounced car-pet)” = I’m exhausted- literally flat out like a carpet on the floor.

“Je suis over booké” – I’ve taken on too much/got too much to do- overbooked as in hotel reservations

The latest addition , at least around here , is…wait for it…..” It is a finger in the nose”. For full effect this has to be pronounced Eet eeze a feenger een ze noze. General meaning = It’s easy. No prizes for guessing how they came up with that one!! And if anyone has ever actually used that phrase please do let me know!!

Plume de ma tante! – as Del Boy would say!