savoir-faire
10 years ago No Comments

(pronounced SAV-wahr-FEHR)

We bet that you’ve seen this fairly common phrase a hundred times but have always wondered how to pronounce it and what it really meant. To boil it down, it’s a noun meaning social skill and tact. You could use this term to describe someone who is quite sophisticated and experienced in human affairs, or someone who knows how to act or handle delicate social situations comfortably.

Example: The designer exhibited admirable savoir-faire when in the unenviable position of being caught between his irate clients and the insulted contractor.