Monday word: gaucherie

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

gaucherie  (gō′shə-rē′), noun
1. An awkward or tactless act, manner, or expression.
2. A lack of tact; awkwardness; the quality of being gauche.

Etymology: French, from gauche, awkward or lefthanded.

I learned the origins of 'gauche' when I took French in high school, and used to wonder what the French had against left-handed people. 

Comments

[kryptyd.livejournal.com]

Heh, that's a great word.

Maybe the French think lefties are sinister. I have nothing against them, since there are a good few in my family.

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

One of my brothers is left-handed for most things, and ambidextrous for others. I've always envied him; my left hand has no talents whatsoever.

[med_cat]

Interesting etymology ;)

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Hey, we do it too -- "sinister" also means left-handed (in Latin). And "dexterous" is right-handed.

---L.

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

Yeah you're right, we do. French was just where I first became aware of it.