Allow me to toss out three words:

Andante
Comandante
Picante

Without first checking with any dictionary, which (if any) of these words are English and which are not. It's a shady area in my opinion so there may not be a firm correct answer, one way or the other. I'm just looking for your opinions.

This is a tricky question, largely because there are so many words in our everyday lexicon that have close foreign origins that it's hard to delineate. I'll play your little game, though . . .

none?

They all look OK to me. Are you trying to get them exiled? Are they terrorizing other more Saxon words? Is this a disguised poll?

It's interesting how comandante and commendatore have different numbers of ms.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jheem,

I'd say andante has become an English word, from the Italian. Comandante is a Spanish (?) military rank, and so is not English. Picante is also Spanish (I think), but the word used in English is piquant, which comes from the French.

One out of three in my opinion, although I feel sure they probably all appear in some dictionaries.

Interesting. I am taking a third view. I use the word "picante" when cooking and would have to consider it a legitimate English word, in the same way as "mousse" is. Surely "andante" is a legitimate English word used in music. Now, "comandante" is only in the infoplease dictionary in onelook (the others are in various dictionaries) so I don't feel bad saying that is not an English word.

It is an interesting question, though...and one I have had for awhile about a certain "S" word (for newbies, I am referring to "schadenfreude," but I don't want to be too loud about it because that discussion can cause quite a stir! )

Comandante is a Spanish (?) military rank

Comandante and commendatore are both Italian words. Comandante is also a Spanish word. I hear people use picante more often than piquant out here on the ede of civilisation in California. And they were speaking English at the times I hear it.

Now, "comandante" is only in the infoplease dictionary in onelook (the others are in various dictionaries) so I don't feel bad saying that is not an English word.

So, I guess you've changed your mind about the e-word as well.

Now, piano: there's a word that ain't English. Not too happy about salsa either.

quote:

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only in the infoplease dictionary in onelook (the others are in various dictionaries)

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Hey! You weren't supposed to look them up!

Interesting about picante/piquant. I assume the Spanish version is better known in the USA because of the Mexican/Latin American influence. It is pretty well unknown here. In fact, I'd say many people would assume it's a misspelling of piquant. Since many gastronomes reckon that French cuisine is supreme, piquant ought to be the word used, IMO.

arnie, I only looked them up after I made my decision about them...but I guess I ruined it for everyone else, didn't I? Sorry!

So, I guess you've changed your mind about the e-word as well.

Now, now, not so fast, jheem. There are extenuating circumstances with the e-word. (For you newbies, we are talking about an ongoing disagreement I have with the rest of wordcraft; that is, I think 'epicaricacy' should be a word. I had thought of coming on the chat as "Eppie Caricacy," but thought that might give me away! )