Written by Gabriela Estrada

Did you know that in our daily lives we use many words of French origin without realizing it? These words, known as galicisms, enrich our native Spanish and English as a second language, reflecting the French cultural influence on the way we speak.

In Venezuela, the population says: "... I am leaving with my "corotos""to refer to a person's belongings.

In Colombia, they use the word "carnet" to mean to mean: identity card or any type of identification card. In French, "carnet" means "notebook" or "small notebook". There are many more words like these!

When we are learning English, other common words that we use on a daily basis and that are of French origin start to appear. Read them with me to the end and discover the anecdotes of these Gallicisms and why they are part of our vocabulary! Let's get started. 

Cultural linkage between French and English 

French and English have been interconnected throughout history, and this is reflected in many words and concepts shared by both languages. Here are some common examples:

• Restaurant: both languages use this word to refer to a place where meals are served.

• Café: With the sense of an establishment where drinks and light meals can be enjoyed.

• Coup d'état: A French expression that has been adopted in English to describe a coup d'état.

• Ballet: A classical dance form that is widely known in both languages.

• Buffet: A style of food service where dishes are placed on a table and diners serve themselves.

• Count: although French for "comte", this word reflects the noble title that exists in both languages.

Gallicisms and their origin

In English 

The word "count" in English and "comte in French have shared roots in the nobiliary title that both languages adopted from Latin "comes"meaning "companion" or "assistant" (assistant to the Roman emperor). On the other hand, in French, "comte" is widely used as the equivalent of the title of count in Spanish.

In Spanish

"... I'm leaving with my "corotos"". Where does this expression come from?

The term "corotos" comes from the surname of the French painter and sculptor Camille Corot (1796-1875), whose works were very popular in Venezuela and appreciated for their beauty. So Venezuelans, when referring to valuable or appreciated objects, began to use the artist's surname as a synonym for belongings. And that is how the word corotos became a colloquial way of calling personal things or possessions.

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