True or False: Do These French Words Exist?

Explanation: TRUE! "Callipyge" is a Greek-origin adjective meaning "having beautiful buttocks." It is best known from the Venus Callipyge, a famous ancient sculpture displayed in Naples.

Explanation: FALSE! "Nominer" is an anglicism from the English "nominee." The correct French terms are "nommer" (to name/appoint) or "sélectionner." At the César Awards, one should say "les nommés," not "les nominés."

Explanation: FALSE! Although commonly used in everyday speech, "émotionner" is not recognized by dictionaries. The correct verb is "émouvoir" (to move emotionally). You can also say "toucher" or "bouleverser."

Explanation: TRUE! "Pétrichor" (petrichor in English) refers to the pleasant smell that rises from the earth after rain. This poetic word comes from the Greek petra (stone) and ichor (the blood of gods in mythology).

Explanation: TRUE! "Tintinnabuler" means to produce a light, crystalline sound, like that of small bells. It comes from the Latin tintinnabulum (small bell). Edgar Allan Poe immortalized it in his poem "The Bells."

Explanation: FALSE! Very popular on social media, "malaisant" (cringe-inducing) is not recognized by dictionaries. It is formed from the verb "malaiser," which doesn't exist either. The correct terms are "gênant" or "embarrassant."

Explanation: TRUE! "Pandiculer" means to stretch while yawning, especially upon waking up, to loosen one's muscles. This gesture that everyone does every morning has a scholarly name, derived from the Latin pandiculari.

Explanation: FALSE! "Insécure" is an anglicism borrowed from the English "insecure." In proper French, one says "anxieux," "peu sûr de soi," "en manque de confiance," or "mal dans sa peau."

Explanation: FALSE! Influenced by the English "confusing," "confusant" is not a recognized French word. The correct terms are "déroutant," "déconcertant," "peu clair," or simply "confus." Like "impactant" or "concernant," it is an anglicism to avoid.

Explanation: TRUE! "Zinzinuler" describes the song of the titmouse. In French, each bird has its own verb: the rooster crows, the owl hoots, the crow caws, the dove coos... and the titmouse "zinzinule"!

Explanation: TRUE! "Époustouflifiant" is indeed a recognized word. It is a humorous, superlative variant of "époustouflant" (mind-blowing), formed with the suffix "-ifiant." It means "extraordinarily astounding" and belongs to informal register.

Explanation: FALSE! Widely used in journalism ("l'information a fuité" – the information was leaked), this verb is not in the dictionary. The correct expressions are "divulguer," "révéler," or "il y a eu une fuite." It is a neologism born in the digital age.

Explanation: TRUE! "Garrulité" (garrulity) refers to an excessive tendency to talk, often in a futile and chatty manner. This rare but very real word comes from the Latin garrulitas, derived from garrulus (talkative).

Explanation: FALSE! Common in sports commentary, "inarrêtable" is a barbarism probably modeled on the English "unstoppable." The correct alternatives are "invincible," "imbattable," "irrésistible," or "que rien ne peut arrêter."

Explanation: TRUE! "S'ébaudir" means to rejoice loudly, to have fun with enthusiasm. This literary verb comes from Old French esbaudir (to make joyful). It is found especially in Rabelais and medieval literature.

Explanation: FALSE! Although we often hear "ambiancer une soirée" (to liven up a party), this verb is not recognized by French dictionaries. The correct expressions are "mettre l'ambiance," "animer," or "égayer." The noun "ambiance" exists, but not the verb.

Explanation: TRUE! "Amphigourique" describes a deliberately obscure, confusing, and incomprehensible speech or text. It derives from "amphigouri," a burlesque text that is intentionally absurd, popular in the 18th century.

Explanation: FALSE! Despite its very natural sound, "dangerosité" is not in the dictionary. The correct terms are "danger," "caractère dangereux" (dangerous nature), or "nocivité." The adjective "dangereux" exists, but the suffix "-osité" does not apply to it.

Explanation: TRUE! A "calembredaine" is an extravagant remark, a tall tale, a fanciful speech not to be taken seriously. This delightful word from the 16th century is still very much alive in the dictionary.

Explanation: FALSE! Although the verb "impacter" has made it into some dictionaries, the adjective "impactant" is still not listed. The correct alternatives are "marquant," "percutant" (hard-hitting), "frappant" (striking), or "saisissant."