Let’s beware of false cognates

Ebion

Ça a l'air que je suis l'esclave da partida
VIB
Hello,

False cognates are English words that look like French words and that may have a common root, yet with a quite different meaning.

In this thread, I would like us to learn to avoid falling into the traps of false cognates. So let’s give one another a few examples of those damn false cognates!

Let’s begin :

What does “to defile” mean?

What does “lunatic” mean?
 
A

AncienMembre

Non connecté
To defile means "ternir" as in "to defile the reputation of someone" :intello:

Lunatic does mean pretty much the same as lunatique, but the impact is REALLY not the same lol. It's more of an insult in english where it sounds more like an regular "psychological pathology" in french ... or just sounds just more ok lol:D
 

Southpaw

Rebel without a Cause
Hello,

False cognates are English words that look like French words and that may have a common root, yet with a quite different meaning.

In this thread, I would like us to learn to avoid falling into the traps of false cognates. So let’s give one another a few examples of those damn false cognates!

Let’s begin :

What does “to defile” mean?

What does “lunatic” mean?
The origine of all words that end with FILE
are words of a list of fichiers.
Une liste des fichiers.
- The X files, une liste.
Une liste de fichiers extraterrestre.
- Defile means those who lie about your character to make u look bad.
List of haters.
Good or bad depends on what side u're on.
- profile = ur own list of what u achieved but can also mean profiling people which means that they must be a strangers...

As for Lunatic
You will understand it from this song :)

-
 

Schtrouf

Demain aujourd'hui sera hier.
VIB
What does “notorious” mean?

And “gallant”?

:joueur:
I think "notorious" is quite similar in French language. As "well known", negative or positive.

I think 1 meaning of "gallant" is similar in French, as the behaviour of men against women.
The other meaning seems to be "courageous".
 

Ebion

Ça a l'air que je suis l'esclave da partida
VIB
I think "notorious" is quite similar in French language. As "well known", negative or positive.

I think 1 meaning of "gallant" is similar in French, as the behaviour of men against women.
The other meaning seems to be "courageous".

Hello,

The word “notorious” does mean well-known, but for something shameful or blameworthy. Its opposite would be, for example, “illustrious”.

As for gallant, you’re right. It can also mean smart (about someone wearing clothes).
 

Southpaw

Rebel without a Cause
What does “notorious” mean?

And “gallant”?

:joueur:
Notorious is a gangster slang for being brutal.
Like Saddam or Kaddafi or Stalin..
A gangster or a gang banger.

Gallant on the other hand is the opposite of Notorious.
A Gentelman.
But it's used in British English mostly and not in American English.
In North America we say COOL.
 

Southpaw

Rebel without a Cause
You have a problem with Rabat you have a problem with me buddy ...

Let's keep it civil and classy :)
Hi @DiamondBlaze
Hold ur horses pls
Keep cool and keep ur dogs inside
I never disrespected Rabat but it has no history to be the capital.
It's a Mickey Mouse town and looks as fake as Disney world.
Just like my town Casablanca.
But Fes and Marrakech have more history.
Enjoy ur day :)
 

DiamondBlaze

Family Over Everything
VIB
Hush Hush ..
u silly goose
and don't be so inquisitive like Curious George.
@DiamondBlaze is classy and open minded.
an intellect .
I consider her as a friend.
Nothing but respect for her.
I wish I had the same respect for you.
u dirty mouth buffoon :p

Thank you @Southpaw.. but can you tone it down a tad bit with the insults?

You are a cool kiddo and so is @Sword ..moving alooong :timide:
 

Ebion

Ça a l'air que je suis l'esclave da partida
VIB
In English, we cannot say « a parking ». We must say a car park (GB) or a parking lot (US).

And we don’t call sports shoes baskets : we say sneakers!
 
Romantic.
If a female from Rabat told you in Rabat that she is romantic. She meant most likely that she is an idealist who likes nature. If a female from New York told you that she is romantic , she meant, she loves sex baby.
 
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