Updated July 24, 2021 599 Author: Dmitry Petrov
Hello, dear readers of the KtoNaNovenkogo.ru blog. Everything new is well forgotten old. The heroes of our review today (the words bad manners and comme il faut) illustrate this immutable truth in the best possible way.
Nowadays they can be found quite often in spoken and written speech (I just love them so much), while just recently (before perestroika) no one really used them. Moreover, they were considered deeply outdated and even harmful relics of the past.
However, the words comme il faut and bad manners appeared in the Russian language long before this (several centuries ago), when, along with Russian, the French language was in use among the nobility and other enlightened public (they spoke it, argued, declared their love). Naturally, some phrases from the French language were transformed into Russian words, while maintaining their original meaning.
But what is comme il faut (or “not comme il faut”) and bad manners? What do they mean in modern colloquial language and how to use them correctly so as not to hear in response: “Yes, this is complete bad manners, my dear!” Let's watch.
What is COMILEFAULT - definition, meaning in simple words.
In simple words, Comme il faut is the right behavior. The word is very often used, like bad manners, which means incorrect behavior, but you can also say about non-compliance with the rules: “not comme il faut.”
The word was in use for quite a long time in exclusively the highest circles of society, then secular people, aristocrats, people of blue blood had a good command of the French language, and accordingly, they used the French “come il faut”.
Today it is found in youth slang, despite the fact that there are more modern replacements, such as phrases: “everything is clear”, “tip-top” and others. Those who have heard this word before and know its meaning well often use it in their speech, denoting an assessment of some activity, behavior, appearance, and so on.
Revival of a forgotten word
During the Soviet period, this Gallicism is forgotten. And with the advent of the twenty-first century, we again remember some pre-revolutionary words. Including this. Today it is used in wide circles.
The forgotten word of the nobles of the nineteenth century was remembered in the nineties. Most likely, the main role here was played by a TV show called “Come il faut.” Then the word began to be applied to the expression “new Russian”, because the program advertised expensive goods. It doesn’t matter what kind, the main thing is expensive.
At the turn of the century it often appears in a variety of names. They could call it everything - from a drinking establishment to an expensive clothing store. Trademarks, stores, furniture, clothing models, and hairstyles began to receive names containing a fashionable word from the nineteenth century.
The word became fashionable due to its foreign origin, euphony and the echo of the fashion of the richest nobility contained in it. Gallicism was applied to the place and not to the place. Because of this comme il faut, the meaning became vague and few could accurately explain the meaning of a word that appears so often. It has become an advertising marker that immediately characterizes the product on the positive side, pointing out its special features and high cost.
Definition of the concept
Comme il faut, the meaning of the word today can be explained in the same way as in the century before last. It means exactly what the translation of the French “comme il faut” means “as it should” or “as it should.” Characterizes objects, style, actions as appropriate to the place and looking good.
Proper use
Nowadays, most ordinary people can use the Gallicism “come il faut” and, accordingly, its direct opposite “not comme il faut” in different cases. Examples of situations in which a buzzword will be used appropriately:
- when talking about clothing, you can use the word as an unchangeable adjective;
- assessing the general style or appearance of a person;
- when describing pieces of furniture or interior design: “It seems to me that this chandelier is not comme il faut”;
- applicable to individual actions and manners in general: “It’s absolutely not comme il faut to talk like that.”
Using this Gallicism, you can diversify your speech, embellishing it with notes of French sophistication. From this word one can still feel the echoes of the refined manners of high society. By pronouncing this word in the right place, you rise a little in the eyes of your interlocutor.
When is it appropriate to use the word?
Comme il faut is said to evaluate an action. For example, a person behaves appropriately in a given environment, which means it is comme il faut. Not comme il faut means that his manners, way of communication and behavior in general do not correspond to what is expected and something needs to be corrected. That is, in this context, “comme il faut” means correctly, as it should.
The word is used to evaluate a person as a whole, for example, his appearance. If the clothing meets the rules or requirements, it is comme il faut. If, for example, you come to an event with an evening dress code in a tracksuit, this is not comme il faut. In this case, the word means the same thing - as it should, correctly.
That is, no matter in what context the word comme il faut is used, it has a single meaning - correctly, appropriately, corresponds, as it should. It is impossible to use the term in a figurative sense or with irony, in a distorted form. Come il faut and not comme il faut always have the same meaning: right or wrong, wrong.
Bad manners - in simple words
Bad manners. It's no secret that back in Tsarist Rus', people actively used French in conversation. In those distant times, it was impossible to move in secular society without knowing the French language. It is important to note that it was not necessary to master all spoken language in this language; sometimes it was enough to insert some joke, witticism, or simply a derivative word in French into Russian speech.
One of these words was “bad manners,” meaning bad manners, inappropriate upbringing or manners, and inability to dress. It is worth noting that bad manners could be called not only any action, this word was also applied to people. Often bad manners were used to describe ignoramuses who did not know how to behave in secular society.
This word was used quite often, with or without reason: “Oh, Maria Ilyinichna has ribbons in her hair - what bad manners” or “Vsevolod Yakovlevich is such bad manners.” It was considered a sign of bad manners to even go outside without gloves, at any time of the year. At the same time, it was correct to put on gloves immediately before leaving the house, since no one should have seen bare fingers.
The word “bad manners” was also used to describe people who behaved unworthily in society, too pretentiously and defiantly, without regard for the opinions of others. It is believed that in the secular lexicon the word “bad manners” appeared in this meaning thanks to the great Russian classic N.V. Gogol, who repeatedly used this word in his work “The Inspector General” - this is how he characterized Judge Lyapkin-Tyapkin.
It was also considered bad manners if representatives of the fair sex took the first step towards a man - it was the stronger half who chose their chosen one, and not vice versa. One of the first to break this unspoken and unwritten law was A.S. Pushkin, when he presented to the public Tatiana’s letter to Onegin in the work “Eugene Onegin”. Most representatives of both the weaker and stronger sex then condemned the girl - it was unbecoming for a girl to behave in an appropriate manner.
In Soviet times, the word “bad manners” began to be uttered much less frequently, and it was used only in an ironic context; if there was no irony in the word, then it was about belonging to the bourgeoisie. Then it was used mainly by the working class, who used the word “bad manners” to ridicule the entire intelligentsia and secular society.
In the modern world, the word “bad manners” has the same meaning, but priorities have changed - now bad manners refer to those who inappropriately and inappropriately insert unfamiliar words into a conversation, without even trying to figure out what they might mean. In addition, in our time it is considered the norm when one girlfriend incites the second to take the first step towards the guy she likes, with the words: “Behaving like Turgenev’s shy woman is such bad manners.”
Interesting facts about the word.
It is generally accepted that Leo Tolstoy was very fond of the French phrase “comme il faut” or in our speech “come il faut” and very often used it in his works. In fact, in his work this word appears as often as in other writers. Turgenev, Aksenov, Saltykov-Shchedrin and many others used “comme il faut” to convey an assessment of some actions, behavior or appearance of different characters. Gogol is said to be the first to introduce the term into literature.
It is interesting that the word comme il faut, like the similar word bad manners, can be inclined. And if these words are not inclined, then they sound quite modern and appropriate. They can even be used in modern fashion and the internet. But words such as “commeille façade” and “bad manners” are not relevant at all, they resemble things from an old grandmother’s chest. They are practically never found in modern colloquial or literary speech.
Comme il faut in the 19th century
I respected people comme il faut and considered them worthy of having equal relations with me
— L. N. Tolstoy “Youth”
In the 19th century, almost all representatives of Russian high society could speak fluent French. Some things were easier for them to say in French rather than in Russian. For example, from the works of Russian classics of the nineteenth century, one can understand that many people liked to talk about love, fashion, beauty - in a word, about refined things in French. Preferring it to the Russian one, due, as it seemed to them, to greater elegance.
Come il faut is derived from the French expression comme il faut , translated meaning “as it should”, “as it should”. The borrowed word was used when talking about fashion, style and, of course, good manners. For the people of that time, the meaning of this expression meant something special.
Even some classics of the golden age of Russian literature preferred not to translate this concept, but to write it as it is, in French. For example, Pushkin in the poem “Eugene Onegin,” when describing Tatyana Larina, admits that he cannot convey this concept in Russian.
Tolstoy in his story “Youth” uses the French comme il faut without translating it into Russian. The author does this to emphasize how passionate his hero is comme il faut.
She seemed like the right shot
Du comme il faut... (Shishkov, forgive me:
I don't know how to translate.)
— A. S. Pushkin “Eugene Onegin” (About Tatyana Larina. Ch. 8, XIV)
Among the nobility it was used as an unchangeable adjective and in the meaning of a predicate. This is what they said about those who were well-bred and about what complies with secular rules of decency .
Comme il faut in modern society.
The word is used quite often, but most often you can hear “not comme il faut,” that is, a negative assessment using a word that would mean: “not good, not decent, not comfortable.” This word most often refers to appearance, such as the combination of clothing or the appropriateness of an outfit. Can also refer to an assessment of physical appearance, such as hairstyle or haircut.
It is worth noting that, unlike the word “bad manners,” “not comme il faut” expresses a more individual attitude. Bad manners are non-compliance with rules or requirements. Come il faut or not comme il faut is a personal assessment of behavior or appearance.
Modern meaning
Based on all of the above, we can already draw a conclusion: the meaning of the borrowing in question remains the same as in the original version. Complying with the rules of good manners in various sectors of social life is comme il faut. In order to fit into the framework of decency in a certain situation, you should know its requirements in all possible details and nuances. The better we are aware of the foundations and orders established in a particular society, the easier it will be to adhere to good manners. Along with the definition of “come me il faut,” its opposite in meaning – bad manners – came to us from French. It is interpreted as the French version - behavior that does not correspond to the rules accepted in decent society. It is also used in speech to characterize the manner of dressing and speaking. The connection between “come il faut” and “bad manners” is simple: if you fail to adhere to comme il faut in a specific situation, then it will be bad manners.
How to use the word "come il faut"?
We have considered everything that may interest us regarding the meaning of the French phrase “come il faut”. What it is, what its original meaning is, synonyms and antonyms - we already know all this. But a foreign word has special rules for use in speech. Now a little about them. In a sentence, this word will be correctly used both as a definition and as a predicate derived from a noun. If previously various French borrowings were perceived by society as something ostentatious, manifestations of pseudo-aristocratism, today you can safely saturate your speech with them. In moderation, of course, so that your speech remains pleasant and understandable.
Marker of culture, education
Today, the correct use of French words serves as a marker of the level of culture and education of the interlocutor. Compare: “Understand, such an act is not comme il faut, hurry to apologize” and: “This is not rosin,” she said. “It’s correct to say ‘not comme il faut,’” he corrected. “Isn’t this the same thing?” the girl wondered.
This is also an advertising marker. Any brand that has a word in its name or slogan is perceived as synonymous with high quality.
Comme ill faut style is always relevant: in clothing, behavior, conversation. Successful people follow it. “And everything that is not comme ill faut is something like that,” said one of the modern writers. The expression fits harmoniously into literary text, colloquial speech, even youth slang
It is only important to use it correctly so as not to hear the remark: “Sir, this is bad manners!”
Examples of using the word
The meaning of the word "sympathize"
Considering the definition of “come il faut” (what it is and how to use it competently in your speech), we will give several useful examples. As we know, the word is used in relation to behavior, clothing, conversation. For example, it is considered completely acceptable and even encouraged to drink a glass of champagne on a holiday. But on weekdays, alcohol in the first half of the day is no longer comme il faut. As for clothing, what is comme il faut and what is not is determined by the dress code of the situation. An evening outfit would be inappropriate for breakfast, and beach shoes would be inappropriate for work. A formal suit reserved for a cocktail party is also not comme il faut.
Come il faut: the story of penetration
The French language has become a treasure for lovers of beautiful literature. Some words taken from it show their noble origin from the first syllable - such as defile, bad manners, baguette, lampshade, flowerpot, dressing table, voyage.
Others are so firmly rooted in everyday life that it is difficult to recognize borrowings in them. This is, for example, an address, watercolor, makeup, cream, menu, resume, store, calorie.
Today you don’t even remember that the word “buffet” in France refers to an ordinary fork.
In French, “comme il faut” is a whole phrase: comme il faut. It is translated “as it should, as it is necessary, as it should be,” in terms of compliance with etiquette and the laws of good manners. Not “somehow” or “bummer”, but as usual.
The word “come il faut” denotes compliance with the rules established in society or in specific elite circles.
This is full compliance with etiquette, secular dress code and standards of behavior, as well as a manifestation of good manners and education. This includes clothing, gestures, manners, speech, and actions.
If you hear the phrase “This is not comme il faut at all,” interpret it literally as follows: “This is wrong in the current situation, and maybe even indecent.”
But, due to the peculiarities of the national imagination, other functions were also assigned to the phrase.
Closer to fashion
But still, we should not forget that the meaning of the word “come il faut” is closest to fashion. Therefore, it is advisable to apply this term to those people who dress correctly. Today read “stylish”, “fashionable”. Therefore, we can draw a simple conclusion that the term “come il faut” has acquired other meanings: glamorous, elegant, status, stylish. If it is used to apply to a person, it means that he has an impeccable style, demeanor, and image. “Come il faut” today is already a way of life. This term is also widely used in advertising. In this case it means a positive assessment. What is worth following, what you need to pay attention to in order to be in trend.
Not comme il faut - what does it mean?
Not comme il faut is an expression that is returning to colloquial forms among absolutely all segments of the population. This trend is especially relevant among young people, as people who give new life to old styles and concepts. Whereas the concept of not comme il faut was previously used to describe the inappropriate behavior or appearance of members of the upper class, it is now increasingly used in everyday speech.
Not comme il faut can serve as a designation for any inconsistency. This includes incorrect behavior from the point of view of law, etiquette and morality. Indecent actions and expressions can also be characterized as not comme il faut, and in each social circle completely different concepts will fall under this category. What is quite acceptable among the construction crew during a break will not be comme il faut at a gala reception among the aristocracy in honor of a charity auction.
The prevalence of the use of this word precisely as a characteristic of inconsistency, a gross violation of the rules of good manners and all manner of decency is more in demand at the moment than the original version - comme il faut.
A close concept to options designated as not comme il faut is bad manners. Again, you should understand the differences in the use of these words several centuries ago and now. So previously, not comme il faut was a characteristic of inadmissibility for the upper class, while bad manners could be used to indicate inappropriate behavior at all levels. Now the concepts are becoming almost synonymous, since the hierarchy is being erased, as well as the methods of verbal differentiation.
But in order to demonstrate their own sophistication, highly educated and understanding of correspondences, modern youth are beginning to actively use this concept. Like all words from ancient eras, it allows you to maintain an intellectual image, and for those who are really interested in literature and the specifics of that time, it is formed automatically.
In addition, it is much more pleasant for a person who has made a mistake out of ignorance (of social norms) or intentionally (in order to demonstrate his disdain) to receive a remark on the beauty of the sound of French speech. This adds some charm and, as if by its sound alone, returns the inappropriate person to a higher level, immersing him in the necessary atmosphere.
Cofilfo. History of appearance
Any living language contains the phenomenon of dynamism and one of the ways of language development is the borrowing of words. If you understand the system and method of borrowing words, the meaning of the word "come il faut" will be easy to establish.
Borrowings can be of two types. The first type - a more or less accurate sound is taken, then its natural adaptation is made to facilitate pronunciation. The second type is the separation of the components of a word or expression and the translation of part of the word into a borrowing language. To identify such borrowings, you need to have a broad linguistic horizon or a phenomenal linguistic sense. For example, few people realize that the word “Orthodox” is borrowed in Greek from “orthodox” (orthodox).
Throughout the centuries-old history of the Russian language, a large number of words from the languages of other peoples have come into circulation. A brief history of borrowings is as follows:
- in the X-XII centuries there were many Greekisms - roots coming from Greek culture.
- in the XII-XIV centuries Turkisms came: the Mongol yoke could not pass without leaving a trace on the language.
- further, the Time of Troubles, Cossack riots, splits and close cooperation with Poland. Polonisms appeared in the Russian language - that is, borrowings from the Polish language. Then, of course, the meaning of the word “come il faut” was not known.
- Peter I loved Dutch and German culture, and this also did not go unnoticed by the Russians. This is how a number of Germanisms were developed, especially in the military and shipbuilding industries.
- in the second half of the 18th and 19th centuries, everyone, as you know, was crazy about France and French culture in general. The meaning of the word “come il faut” was then known to any child with “good manners and moral standards.” Translated from French, the phrase “come il faut” means “as needed.” Gallicisms occupied many areas of life - military art, painting, fashion. Sometimes we don’t even know about Gallicisms in our native language: battalion, boa, marmalade, tights, broth, comme il faut. The importance of Gallicisms in the Russian language is difficult to overestimate. They certainly enriched our language with a variety of sound combinations. But now, unfortunately, many people have forgotten the meaning of some borrowed words and this is not comme il faut! The meaning of a word is the least we need to know about it.
- Let’s also mention the 20th century, known for its Anglicisms and Americanisms. They came along with the fashion for jeans and McDonald's, they appeared along with thin models, iPhones, rock culture and dollars.
- and undoubtedly, the 21st century, the first century of the new millennium, will also bring us new phenomena and new borrowings.
Thus, you probably already realized that the word “come il faut” appeared through borrowing of the first type: the more or less accurate sound in French underwent a natural adaptation to facilitate pronunciation. And in French it is written as “comme il faut” (comme il faut - clumsy pronunciation, translation - comme il faut).
What does "Moveton" mean?
It also comes from the French phrase “Mouvais Ton,” which refers to unacceptable behavior or a specific act within society.
It was used in the same way in Tsarist Russia, and rather related to a secular society, where there were strict regulations of behavior.
Now its use has expanded significantly, and now it can also be seen on the Internet, as well as in ordinary human speech.
However, the general context of the phrase has not changed in any way, and it still means what it meant, albeit in a broader sense.
The analogue within the Russian language is the phrase “you shouldn’t do this” or “doing this is bad.”
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