FOREIGN WORDS AND PHRASESTUTORIAL

PRESENTATION & COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Word/Phrase Meaning Example

Ab initio From the beginning We cannot take such a rigid stance ab initio.

Ad hoc For a particular purpose This matter will be looked by an ad hoc committee.

Avant-garde Most advanced or modern This avant-garde product will have limited appeal.

Bizarre Unusual I was shocked at his bizarre behaviour.

Circa About, used esp. with dates He was born circa 1941.

Corrigenda A list of errors The last two pages have the corrigenda.

De facto Actual, even though not plannedMr. Smith, by his sheer hard work, has risen to be the de facto manager of this factory.

En masse As a group They threatened to resign en masse.

Espirit de corpsFeeling of loyalty shared by group members

I am sure that with present espirit de corps we can break all previous records.

Faux pas A mistake or socially embarrassing action In an unguarded moment, he committed a faux pas.

Impasse A deadlock I see no way out of this impasse.

Locus standi Right to interfereI belong to a different department and therefore don’t have a locus standi here.

Prima facie On first consideration There is no prima facie case against him.

Pro rata According to rate or proportion The Manager gave orders for pro rata payment to all the workers.

Paparazzi(singular: Paparazzo)

Sensational photo journalist Princess Diana died in a mad chase by paparazzi.

Raison d’etre Reason for existing He loves his work so much that it seems to be his only raison d’etre.

Sine die Without fixing a date The meeting was adjourned sine die.

Status quo Existing state of affairs Unless we do something drastic the status quo will continue.

In camera In secret The decision regarding his appointment was taken after a long in camera meeting

Vis-a-vis When compared to This year’s income shows an improvement vis-a-vis last year’s.

Incognito Hiding one’s identity He often visits the factory incognito.

Cliché Worn out expression or idea I don’t want to be bored with any more clichés.

Force majeure An act of GodMany insurance companies do not insure for ‘force majeure’ which can mean earthquake, floods etc.

Carte blancheWhite paper, hence blank cheque, full power

You have been given the carte blanche in all matters of your department.

Penchant Bent, inclination Our Manager has a penchant for wide reading.