English may feel like a purely Germanic language, but French has left a deep and lasting mark on it thanks to centuries of history, battles, and royal marriages. Some experts say that nearly 30% of English vocabulary is either directly borrowed from French or influenced by it. Intriguing, right? Let’s dive into this fascinating connection and uncover some everyday words with a surprisingly French twist!

A Little History First

The biggest wave of French influence on English started in 1066 with the Norman Conquest. When William the Conqueror took over England, French became the language of the ruling class, law, and government. English and French mixed for hundreds of years, and many French words became part of everyday English speech, especially in areas like food, fashion, law, and art.

Everyday English Words with French Roots

Here are some words you use all the time that have French origins:

• Restaurant — Straight from French, it originally meant "something that restores" (a place to regain strength through food).

• Attorney — A legal word that comes from the Old French atorné, meaning someone appointed to act on another’s behalf.

• Ballet — This graceful dance style also comes directly from French, which got it from Italian balletto.

• Police — From French police, meaning public order and administration.

• Queue — That line you stand in? In French, queue means "tail" — so when you’re in a queue, you’re the "tail" of the group!

• Debt — Originally spelled dette in Old French, the silent ‘b’ was added later to reflect Latin roots.

French Influence in Food

When it comes to food, the French connection is even stronger:

• Beef (from French boeuf)

• Pork (from French porc)

• Mutton (from French mouton)

• Cuisine — Fancy way of saying kitchen or style of cooking.

• Mayonnaise, omelet, soufflé — All delicious French imports, both in name and in recipe!

Fun fact

After the Norman Conquest, the English peasants raised the animals (cow, pig, sheep), but the French-speaking nobility ate the prepared meat (beef, pork, mutton). That’s why the live animals and the meat often have different names!

French in Law, Government, and Fashion

Some formal words in English also come straight from French:

• Court, jury, verdict — all legal terms with French roots.

• Crown, parliament, government — political words from French.

• Fashion terms like boutique, couture, lingerie, and mannequin are French imports, keeping English stylish!

Why Does It Matter?

Understanding how French shaped English helps explain why English spelling and pronunciation can be so tricky — and sometimes a bit illogical. It also shows the rich history of language blending and borrowing, making English so flexible and expressive today.