Word of the Day, August 29: ‘Guache’

Word of the Day: GAUCHE

Pronunciation: UK /ɡəʊʃ/ US /ɡoʊʃ/

Meaning

'Gauche' means socially awkward, tactless or lacking in ease and confidence, especially in unfamiliar social situations. It can describe someone whose behaviour, words or manners seem awkward or unsophisticated.

Examples for daily usage

• His gauche attempt at making a joke made the dinner table uncomfortably quiet.
• She was charming but a little gauche when she first started attending formal events.
• It would be gauche to ask someone how much they earn at a dinner party.

Origin and history

'Gauche' comes from French, where gauche means "left". The French word also developed the sense of being awkward or clumsy. In English, gauche was used from the 18th century to mean awkward or tactless.

The connection between "left" and "awkward" is thought to be linked to the idea of something being awry or out of line. The French verb ‘gaucher’ meant "to turn aside" or "swerve", and is connected to older Germanic roots associated with bending or staggering.

The related French-derived noun ‘gaucherie’, meaning an awkward action or lack of social grace, entered English in the late 18th century.

Also Read: Word of the Day, August 28: ‘Nuance’ 

Cultural significance and modern usage

Today, gauche is usually used to describe a lack of social confidence, tact or sophistication. It does not necessarily mean that someone is rude.

A person can be well-intentioned but still behave in a way that seems awkward or inappropriate for the situation.

The word is particularly useful when talking about social etiquette. Someone who makes an overly personal comment at a formal dinner, wears something completely unsuitable for an occasion or misunderstands an unspoken social rule might be described as gauche.

It is also often used in writing about fashion, manners and culture. Because the word comes from French, it can sometimes sound more refined or literary than simply calling someone "awkward".

Interesting facts

Gauche is a French word that literally means "left".

It entered English with the meaning "awkward, tactless" in the 18th century.

The related word gaucherie means an awkward act or instance of social awkwardness.

In modern English, gauche is generally used for social awkwardness rather than physical clumsiness.

The word is pronounced "gohsh", not like the English word "gawk".

Examples from literature

• “His manners were gauche, and his conversation was awkward.” — Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady
• “She had been gauche and awkward in the beginning.” — Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence
• “He had a gauche, almost boyish manner.” — George Orwell, Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Synonyms

• Awkward
• Tactless
• Clumsy
• Unpolished
• Unrefined
• Unsophisticated
• Inelegant

Antonyms

• Graceful
• Polished
• Sophisticated
• Tactful
• Refined
• Suave
• Poised
• Cultured

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