5. How to order at a French Restaurant without sounding dumb (or pretentious). This is the guide I've been waiting to come across for YEARS. It's written by our old Editor, Chiara Atik, which means it's trustworthy too. [
HowAboutWe]
A sampling:
Coq Au Vin: Get Your Mind Out Of The Gutter
Are you really able to say "cock" on a first date without blushing? Power to you. If the thought of it makes you want to avoid this dish at all costs, don't worry: it's actually pronounced more like "kok" (not "cawk"): kok-oh-van (without going too hard on the "n"). Or go ahead and overemphasize "cock" with a straight-face and gauge how cool your date is based on their reaction.
If You See The Word "Grenouilles"...
...don't even bother trying to pronounce it because this is the French word for frog and the dish you are looking at most certainly consists of frog's legs and it is this writer's opinion that no one is going to want to kiss you after they see you eat frog's legs.
Thank you so much Chiara!