The phrase was borrowed into English as an expression of a quality that makes something or someone attractive, distinctive, or special in some way, but is hard to put into words. The French phrase je ne sais quoi was borrowed into English as early as the s to characterize some inexpressible , indefinable , or ineffable quality, such as some element that makes an engaging work of art or charismatic person special. Je ne sais quoi continued on in English through the centuries, used widely in speech and writing as a learned expression that can lend a text or utterance a sophistication. Je ne sais quoi can be used to express the inexpressible in a way that can variously sound smart, worldly , or French-y. Popscycle adding that certain Je ne sais quoi to weddings since pic. Vibes be off the richter. This content is not meant to be a formal definition of this term.

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French Expression in English
Top definition. Je ne sais quoi. Literally it means "I do not know" in French. But it is actually an euphemism to express a pleasant or desirable trait about something or someone that can't be desribed or explained. This French idiom is frowned upon by people who feel socially, economically, or mentally threatened because they can't stand "snobs" who use this phrase see first definition in this list. People who fear foreign languages also have a tendency to have small reproductive organs, carry big guys to compensate for their lack of confidence, and are generally socially inept when trying to carry on an intelligent conversation with people smarter then them.
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To save this word, you'll need to log in. Send us feedback. See More First Known Use of je ne sais quoi circa , in the meaning defined above History and Etymology for je ne sais quoi French, literally, I know not what Keep scrolling for more Learn More about je ne sais quoi Share je ne sais quoi Post the Definition of je ne sais quoi to Facebook Share the Definition of je ne sais quoi on Twitter Time Traveler for je ne sais quoi. See more words from the same year From the Editors at Merriam-Webster.
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