Word of the Day

: June 5, 2007

louche

adjective LOOSH

What It Means

: not reputable or decent

louche in Context

Her novels are populated by louche characters wasting their days in brothels and seedy bars.

Did You Know?

"Louche" ultimately comes from the Latin word "luscus," meaning "blind in one eye" or "having poor sight." This Latin term gave rise to the French "louche," meaning "squinting" or "cross-eyed." The French gave their term a figurative sense as well, taking that squinty look to mean "shady" or "devious." English speakers didn't see the need for the sight-impaired uses when they borrowed the term in the 19th century, but they kept the figurative one. The word is still quite visible today and is used to describe both people and places of questionable repute.