These 10 English words that mean nothing in… English!

Camper, jogging, tuxedo… You might think these common English words come straight from English-speaking countries. But when you visit Los Angeles, London, or New York, you’ll discover that no American or British person understands them! They’re actually French inventions that borrow English sounds and structures. Here are 10 of the most surprising examples:

Foosball

Watch out for a double trap here. Not only is this fake English word a French creation, but the word “foot” doesn’t mean European football in the United States. European football is called soccer, while “football” refers to American football. The French “baby-foot” translates to table soccer.

Basketball shoes

In French, “basket” describes both the shoes and the sport. In the United States, be specific: the word basket means only “container” and nothing else. You need to say basketball shoes for the footwear, or basketball for the sport. Never use “basket” alone, unless you’re in a grocery store.

Motor home

The French word “camping-car” combines the English words “camping” and “car,” so it sounds completely English. Yet it doesn’t exist in English at all! The correct term is motor home.

Jogging

Don’t tell a New Yorker you’re going for a “footing” in Central Park. They’ll look at you in confusion! “Footing” is a pure French invention that combines the word “foot” (meaning “foot” in English) with the “-ing” ending typical of English. Americans and British people use the word jogging.

Dry cleaning

Looking for a place to have your clothes cleaned? Don’t search for a “pressing” because you won’t find one! Like “footing,” the word “pressing” is a French creation. In English, it’s called dry cleaning, and the shop is a dry cleaner.

Sweater

In a clothing store, don’t ask the sales associate to show you the “pull” section. She’ll have no idea what you mean. In English, the verb “to pull” means to tug or drag. For the French sweater, use the word sweater.

Underwear

While the English verb “to slip” means to slide or fall, the word “slip” doesn’t refer to French underwear at all! The correct word is underwear.

Tuxedo

You’re invited to a formal event and wondering what to wear? Forget the French word “smoking”: in the United States, formal evening wear is called a tuxedo. It’s unusual, but that’s how it is!

Overbooking

If you have too much work, don’t tell a New Yorker you’re “surbooké.” It won’t make any sense. “Surbooking” is a French construction that takes the English word overbooking and replaces “over” with its French translation “sur.” The result is a completely French word.

Walkie-talkie

Here’s one of the most surprising examples. In English, it’s not “talkie-walkie” but walkie-talkie. The French simply reversed the order of the words!

Also read…

To continue exploring English vocabulary, check out this article on the 20 essential English words to know in New York.