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Comment by holistio

2 days ago

It's _raison_, but "raisin d'être" would make an excellent name for a haute cuisine dessert.

6 comments

holistio

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delis-thumbs-7e  2 days ago

Well you could just say ”purpose” rather than ”reason of existence” in French. Some expression of course only exist in French - about 70% of English language - but the purpose of this francoism I never quite understood.

And yes, I’m fully aware I am annoying.

  • BLKNSLVR  2 days ago

    Purpose doesn't have the gravitas of raison d'être: the very reason for its existence; the thing without which it would have no reason to exist.

    I can't be too annoyed, for I can also be annoying and appreciate some level of pedantry. Words mean things!

BLKNSLVR  2 days ago

Thanks, damn.

I usually look up that phrase so I can copy and paste it with the proper accents (and, uh, spelling).

  • holistio  2 days ago

    To quote a classic: "Knowledge is power, France is bacon."

    (look it up if you're unfamiliar, it's something that makes me giggle every time I think of it)