Word of the Day

: November 2, 2008

gauche

adjective GOHSH

What It Means

1 : lacking social experience or grace; also : not tactful : crude

2 : crudely made or done

gauche in Context

"I can't believe she'd be so gauche as to ask you how much money you earn," Courtney huffed.

Did You Know?

"Gauche" is one of several words that come from old suspicions or negative associations surrounding the left side and use of the left hand. In French, "gauche" literally means "left," and it has the extended meanings "awkward" and "clumsy." Presumably these meanings came about because left-handed people could appear awkward trying to manage in a right-handed world -- or perhaps because right-handed people appear awkward when they try to use their left hand. In fact, "awkward" itself comes from the Middle English "awke," meaning "turned the wrong way" or "left-handed." On the other hand, "adroit" and "dexterity" have their roots in words meaning "right" or "on the right side."