Make Your Point > Archived Issues > RÉCHAUFFÉ

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

explore the archives: If you like the phrase "hot mess," you'll love today's word, meaning warmed-up leftover food or an unimpressive rehashing of anything. Réchauffé is undeniably fancy. When you need a simple, clear word for "having been done before and therefore old, worn-out, and unoriginal," you might pick thr_____re or ha_____ed instead. That first word suggests that something is like a worn-out old rag with the strings showing, and the second suggests that something is like the same old horse that gets trotted out over and over. make your point with... "RÉCHAUFFÉ" This is French for "reheated." Something réchauffé (or a réchauffé) is like warmed-up leftover food: it's the same old stuff being used again, and it's unimpressive. Pronunciation: Say the adjective and noun "ray show FAY." Say the verb "ree SHOWF." Part of speech: First, it's an adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a réchauffé thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was réchauffé.") Second, it's a noun: one thing is a réchauffé of something older. Third, it's a verb: to réchauffé something is to reuse it in a dull, unimpressive way. Other forms: none How to use it: Keep it in italics: réchauffé, not just réchauffé. Even though this word made its way into English dictionaries, it's still treated as foreign. And with all fancy-looking foreign terms, select réchauffé for only your most formal (or mock-formal) contexts. (Would "reheated" get your idea across just fine?) The tone of this word is usually negative, but you might simply use it to mean "derivative" or "reworked." Talk about réchauffé food, réchauffé versions of things, réchauffé performances, and so on. Or switch the adjective and noun around, French-style: food réchauffé, this version réchauffé, a performance réchauffé. To use the noun, talk about a réchauffé of something: that réchauffé of a theory was disregarded, the speech was only a réchauffé of her predecessors' speeches, a radio DJ feeding us a réchauffé of last week's Reddit topics. examples: I sit down to write a thank-you note, and all I can think of are tepid, réchauffé phrases. Do we really need another réchauffé of these comic book stories? study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "réchauffé" means when you can explain it without saying "warmed over" or "rehashed." try it out: Think of a movie, performance, song, article, book, or show that strikes you as especially dull and unoriginal. Fill in the blanks: "____ is/was an unappetizing réchauffé of _____." Example: "The Singing Bee was an unappetizing réchauffé of Name That Tune." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. In August, we played with anagrams. Yesterday's question: What are the 5 anagrams for PERTAINS? Answer: PAINTERS, PANTRIES, PINASTER, PRISTANE, and REPAINTS. A pinaster is a type of pine tree. And pristane is a type of hydrocarbon, but I'm on board if you want to define it as "in perfect condition, down in the deep south." This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. A freestanding building containing two separate apartments is a... 2. The piece of paper in your delivered package that lists what you bought is the... 3. A temporary store outside your home offering all your household stuff you don't want is a... review today's word: 1. The opposite of RÉCHAUFFÉ is A. FRESH B. MIDDLING C. MOLDY 2. These sitcom writers can do better; they're _____ one réchauffé after another of last year's story arcs. A. digging up B. serving us C. stockpiling Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. B Answers to game questions: 1. duplex, maisonette, or two-flat 2. packing slip, shipping list, packing list, waybill, bill of parcel, unpacking note, packaging slip, (delivery) docket, delivery list, manifest, or customer receipt (thanks, Wikipedia!) 3. yard sale, tag sale, rummage sale, or garage sale