http://ersatz-read.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] ersatz-read.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] 1word1day2015-10-26 12:26 pm

Monday word: gaucherie

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. 

[identity profile] kryptyd.livejournal.com 2015-10-27 10:21 am (UTC)(link)
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.
med_cat: (Default)

[personal profile] med_cat 2015-10-27 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Interesting etymology ;)

[identity profile] prettygoodword.livejournal.com 2015-10-27 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, we do it too -- "sinister" also means left-handed (in Latin). And "dexterous" is right-handed.

---L.