Entry tags:
Wondrous Words Wednesday: Gauche
Pronunciation:
\ ˈgōsh\ GOHSH
Definition:
(for a person): “having or showing a lack of awareness about the proper way to behave.”
(For an object): crudely made or done
Example sentence:
“When he completed his performance, [Olympic figure skater Nathan Chen] punched the air in celebration. Normally I find this display of open emotion a little bit gauche, but for Nathan, I’ll allow it. He was exquisite.” — Chris Schleicher, Slate, 8 Feb. 2022
from Merriam-Webster Website
\ ˈgōsh\ GOHSH
Definition:
(for a person): “having or showing a lack of awareness about the proper way to behave.”
(For an object): crudely made or done
Example sentence:
“When he completed his performance, [Olympic figure skater Nathan Chen] punched the air in celebration. Normally I find this display of open emotion a little bit gauche, but for Nathan, I’ll allow it. He was exquisite.” — Chris Schleicher, Slate, 8 Feb. 2022
Gauche is one of several words (including sinister) with ties to old suspicions and negative associations relating to the left side and use of the left hand. In French, gauche literally means “left,” and it has the extended meanings “awkward” and “clumsy.” Fittingly, awkward itself comes from the Middle English awke, meaning “turned the wrong way” or “left-handed.”
from Merriam-Webster Website