{"product_id":"9781606520574","title":"A Certain \"Je Ne Sais Quoi\": The Origin of Foreign Words Used in English","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"English doesn't borrow from other languages. English follows other languages down dark alleys, knocks them over, and goes through their pockets for loose grammar.\" \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e -James D. Nicoll\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrganized alphabetically for easy reference, \u003ci\u003eA Certain \"Je Ne Sais Quoi\"\u003c\/i\u003e is an accessible lexicon of foreign words and phrases used in English, containing everything from aficionado (Spanish) to zeitgeist (German). Inside you'll find translations, definitions, origins, and a descriptive timeline of each item's evolution. Entries include:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eÀ la carte: from the card or of the menu (French)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFiasco: complete failure (Italian)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDungarees: thick cotton cloth\/overalls (Hindi) \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDiaspora: dispersion (Greek)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eSmorgasbord: bread and butter (Swedish)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCognoscenti: those who know (Italian)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCompos mentis: having mastery of one's mind; with it (Latin)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e Attractively packaged with black and white illustrations, this whimsical yet authoritative book is a great gift for any etymologically fascinated individual. Use this book to reacquaint yourself with the English language, and you'll be compos mentis in no time.","brand":"Reader's Digest","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47036163588336,"sku":"9781606520574","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781606520574_p0.jpg?v=1763830056","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781606520574","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}