Latest research uncovers a nation of Del Boys
Millions of Brits are using the French language in everyday conversation to appear more sophisticated - like the legendary Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses. The trend emerged in a study by Three Barrels, the plain English speaking brandy, who are running a campaign to demystify the world of brandy.
The study found 48 per cent of the population regularly use words they think makes them come across as well educated.
One in five said they frequently churned out French words or phrases to give off an air of sophistication, like David Jason in the hit BBC sitcom. A large proportion of those surveyed admitted doing so even though they're weren't quite sure of what the word - or words - meant.
Del Boy had television viewers in stitches for three decades with his bungled attempts at French which included starting conversations with ‘au revoir’ and ending with ‘bonjour’.
A spokesman for Three Barrels Brandy, which carried out the survey as part of its Plain English Campaign, said: “It’s incredible the amount of French words that make it into our everyday speech and even more incredible the various meanings people attribute to them! It just goes to show that sometimes it is better to say things how they actually are and to leave the posh words to the linguists.”
The poll of 3,000 adults revealed that whilst 34 per cent of people surveyed use complicated words because they ‘like saying them’, 14 per cent admitted it made them ‘feel more important’.
Sixteen per cent said they used ‘fancy language’ in an attempt to chat up the opposite sex, with men more likely to do this than women.
Among the words which are frequently trotted out to give off an air of intelligence are ‘bouquet’, ‘rendezvous’, ‘c’est la vie’, ‘joie de vivre’, ‘à la carte’ and ‘comme çi, comme ça’.
‘Entrée’, ‘ambience’, ‘bijous’ and ‘vis-à-vis’ also made the list.
But it seems trying to appear more intelligent doesn't fool too many people as 58 per cent say they would rather folk made themselves understood rather than ‘play around with fancy words’.
Twenty-two per cent also reckon they would be left feeling embarrassed if someone used a word they didn't understand in a conversation.
But while 43 per cent of people reckon Brits are most likely to use impressive words while describing food and drink, 60 per cent reckon we are especially guilty of using elaborate language at work.
And lawyers, bankers and accountants were named as the biggest culprits.
Anthony Habert for Three Barrels Brandy added: “We did this research to explore how many people are guilty of using words that they don’t really understand and the results were really telling.
“People panic in social situations and try to appear clever and confident so use language that they wouldn’t normally use in everyday life.
“We launched our Plain English Speaking campaign to fight against the pretentious language used when describing things - particularly alcohol and brandy. People love using words like ‘bouquet’ which are just not necessary.
“Three Barrels is a no nonsense, authentic French brandy with a long standing heritage, we don’t need to use over-flowery words to describe our quality drink.”
TOP FRENCH WORDS/PHRASES
1. Rendezvous
2. Je ne sais quoi
3. Bouquet
4. C’est la vie
5. Joie de vivre
6. Comme çi, comme ça
7. Entrée
8. A la carte
9. Ambience
10. Bijous
11. Vis-à-vis
Top Del Boy Phrases
* Au revoir - French for 'hello'. Del used it as in 'goodbye'.
* Au fait - means 'familiar with'. Del pronounced it 'oh fate'.
* Bonnet de douche - means 'shower-cap'. Del used it as praise.
* Chateauneuf du Pape! - is a French wine. Del used it instead of 'Oh My God'.
* Fromage frais! - is a soft cheese. Del used it instead of 'Eureka!'.
* Mais oui - means 'but, yes'. Del used it as in 'no problem'.
* Mange tout - is a green vegetable. Del Boy used it as in 'my pleasure'.
* Pot Pourri! - is fragrant wood shavings. Del Boy used it as in ‘I don't believe it!’.