This section serves to expand your regular vocabulary. What separates the men from the boys (or the women from the girls, if you want to equalize things) is v o c a b u l a r y. We cannot stress this point enough. People who have a larger vocabulary have been shown to make more money and get promoted more often.

F

fait accompli

(pronounced FAYT ah-kohm-PLEE)

This fancy French term literally means an “accomplished fact.” Use it when you want 1) to describe a thing completed and presumed irreversible and 2) to add a little drama into your everyday conversation.

Example: After the disastrous incident with their corporate client’s systems furniture purchase order, Brad knew that his termination from the dealership was a fait accompli.

faux

(pronounced FOH)

Though this word is much more prevalent in everyday usage than it was 20 years ago, it is obvious that some people are still a little confused. In fact, we had a co-worker one time who was so delighted with the “fox” fur that her boyfriend had given her that we didn’t have the heart to tell her that “faux” is not another spelling for that sly little animal the English so love to hunt. So, yes, faux is the French word for fake, false, imitation. Don’t you make that same mistake – it could be costly.

Example: Textile technology had advanced so far that even national chain stores are able to offer faux fur throws to the average consumer at very reasonable prices.

feckless

(pronounced FEHK-lehs)

I hope that this word never, ever describes you: worthless, weak, careless, ineffective… You get the picture.

Example: Roseann was not at all looking forward to confronting her business partner about his recent feckless, and even destructive, behavior, but she had to summon the courage quickly because their firm’s reputation, not to mention her financial security, was at risk.

fecund

(pronounced FEH-kehnd)

Even though it has always looked a noun to me, fecund is actually an adjective, and it means prolific and fruitful. When applied to a human instead of an agricultural crop or an animal species, it means incredibly inventive, intellectually industrious and imaginatively productive.

Example: Roger was quite envious of Josey’s fecund mind, as it never failed to produce numerous design solutions to complex problems, even when she was running on very little sleep or under pressure to meet an imminent deadline.

foray

(pronounced for-RAY)

This tight little word can used either as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it means to raid or invade, but it can also be used in a less violent sense and mean to enter or try. As a noun, it simply describes that invasion or attempt.

Example (verb): Jill, a fully licensed interior design with over 20 years of experience, became infuriated when the general contractor forayed into her “territory,” undermining the legitimate choices she made for her clients and upsetting the scope of work.

Example (noun): Although he had worked on numerous hospitals and clinics during his career as an interior designer, Robert’s foray into the world of spa and hotel design was more challenging than he had expected.

fray

(rhymes with “day”)

This word is a multi-tasker. It has all sorts of useful meanings…

1. noun: A dispute, fight, struggle, or disorderly incident.
Example: When things got out of hand, the police were called to break up the fray between the competing contractors during the pre-bid meeting.

2. verb: to irritate or strain or wear into shreds
Example: The client’s inability to make a decision and stick to it was causing the designer’s nerves to become a bit frayed.

3. verb: to wear as if by rubbing, specifically to separate the threads at the edge of a textile
Example: When the drapery workroom received the client’s incredibly expensive fabric, they were horrified to see that the fabric had frayed right through the selvage in several places due to poor shipping and handling conditions.

frisson

(pronounced free-SOH)

You know how your hair almost feels like it is standing on end when you suddenly get excited about something? Use that amusing image of your frizzed out roots to remember this word, which means a thrill, shudder, or quick moment of emotional exhilaration.

Example: When Jonathan walked in the building for his final interview with the firm’s three principals, a frisson of exhilaration shot through his entire body as he realized that this single moment could completely define his future in the interior design industry.