This is a list of French words, terms and phrases of English language origin, some of a specialist nature, in common usage in the French language or at least within their specialist area.
Modern English is rarely considered a source language as it is itself a mixture of other languages. Culturally, the creation of new words is widely accepted and there is no official body that is treated as the guardian of the language. Each dictionary producer makes their own editorial decisions and there is a slight impetus towards adding new words as this often results in media coverage and public discussion.
Conversely, the Académie française as an institution absolutely guards the French language. This hurdle in the creation of new words allows time and space for English neologisms to enter common usage in the French language. In many cases, l'Académie publishes French alternatives or creates French neologisms, however these words often fail to achieve the public traction which, by definition has to have been achieved by the English word for it to be noticed by l'Académie in the first place.
In nearly all cases the words in this list are not sanctioned by the Académie française.
The following words are commonly used and included in French dictionaries.
le pull: E. pullover, sweater, jersey.
le shampooing, the shampoo
le scoop, in the context of a news story or as a simile based on that context. While the word is in common use, the Académie française recommends a French synonym, "exclusivité".
le selfie. The word was included in French dictionary "Le Petit Robert" in 2015, along with "hashtag".
people: c'est très people... ("it's very popular/about personalities").
versatile. A word with slightly different meaning in French and English. The English usage, meaning 'with a variety of uses' has crept into common French usage.
Pseudo-anglicisms
Source:
le zapping. Channel surfing on a television
le rugbyman, le tennisman. Rugby and tennis player
les baskets. Sports shoes
babyfoot. foosball
le flipper. A pinball machine
le smoking. A dinner suit / tuxedo
le footing. Running or jogging
la redingote. A type of coat. From the English, "Riding Coat".
Colloquialisms and neologisms
Technology
Tweeter. To tweet.
Forwarder. To forward an email
Liker. To like an update or posting, typically on Facebook
Skyper
Le buzz
La box. Modem provided by most Internet Providers.
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