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smoking

tuxedo, dinner jacket

noun smoh-KEENG Rare

Origin: English 'smoking jacket'

Usage Note

Smoking is a classic faux ami: it comes from English 'smoking jacket' but in French refers exclusively to a formal tuxedo, not a jacket for smokers. A Francophone asking for un smoking at a formal event expects black-tie attire; the garment's English origin is completely lost in the French meaning.

Examples

"Il portait un smoking pour le gala."

Natural Translation

He was wearing a tuxedo for the gala.

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