How often do you use the expression "au fait"?

[Torsten]

Hi,

As you know there are quite a few French expressions used in English and one of them is "au fait". Are you aware of this particular expression and if so how often do you use it?

Thanks a lot,
Torsten

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[Alan]

Hi Torsten,

A very useful expression used a lot by the older generation (of which I am a member). Sort of comment could be: I'm not really au fait with the latest computer expressions/ technology but in the field of GPS I'm really au fait with that!

Alan
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[Yankee]

Hi Torsten

I studied French for many years, but I do not use the expression "au fait" in English and don't know anyone else who does (with the exception of Alan now).

You might find this interesting:
au fait
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[Alan]

Pretentious? Moi?

Alan
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[Yankee]

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In the US, there are some French expressions that are commonly used, but as far as I know, "au fait" is not one of them. Even "coup d'etat" may be headed for near extinction in favor of the German "putsch".
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[Torsten]

Well Amy, I came across the expression in an email a British business person sent me -- he is in his early thirties and has been working for an American company for a couple of years. His boss is American and he seems to use quite a few French expressions too.

Regards,
Torsten

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[Yankee]

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I'm afraid I really don't have any idea what your point is, Torsten, but you seem to doubt my input. I didn't rule out the usage of French words/expressions in AmE. In fact, I explicitly stated that some were commonly used in the US. But you asked specifically about "au fait", so that was what I focused on.

I can tell you what I have observed to be the case in US English. If you're only interested in what Alan has to say, just say so, and I won't trouble you with any further input. Naturally, no one is forcing you to believe what is written in the AmE usage notes from the Columbia Guide to Standard American English, either. I happen to agree with what they've written. Whether or not you and Alan are willing to accept that these comments might actually be quite valid for AmE is another matter entirely.

Maybe Prezbucky uses 'au fait'. Who knows. After all, he has come out of the closet about his fondness for the word 'whilst', too.
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[Yankee]

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I'm still completely puzzled by your response, Torsten.

Did you intend to restrict your question to only what is typical in the UK? As I've already mentioned, "au fait" is not something I hear people use here in the US.

I assume, for example, there are plenty of Spanish expressions that have been adopted here that are not at all typical in the UK. Is it so hard for you to believe that there are actually some differences between BE and AmE? In the past I'd always believed that at least you understood that there are some real differences...
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Torsten]

Well, I wonder what happens if this Scottish person writes an email to his American boss using the expression "au fait" -- since both are working for a language training company I'm sure they would find a way to bridge the cultural divide between Scotland and the US.

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[Yankee]

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Torsten, you asked whether people use the expression "au fait". I gave you a very straightforward answer that reflected my experience as a native speaker and teacher of American English.

If you had asked for an opinion about the language peculiarities of one Scottish guy and his American boss, I might have have simply told you that I don't know them. You haven't yet told me anything usual about the American boss. You've hardly told me anything at all.

Alan, however, may possibly find the age of the British "au fait" user somewhat surprising.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Jamie (K)]

I have also studied French for many years, but Torsten's posting was the first time I have every heard of anyone using he expression au fait in English. We do have quite a few French expressions in English, but I doubt that in an American environment anyone saying au fait would be understood. Even if he was, using such an expression too much might get him laughed at, and behind his back earn him a nickname like Pierre, Pep? Le Pew, or even Twinkle-Toes.

It's better to say that one is not "up on" something.

[Yankee]

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I'd like to add that I do have quite a number of British friends and colleagues, but I can't recall any of them having used "au fait" either. However, I do not wish to insinuate that nobody in the UK uses the expression. If Alan says he has heard it used in the UK, then I accept that.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Hopeless_Girl]

hi,
Surprisingly for me this expression is used by politicians in Poland. Sometimes they don’t know what does it mean, but I suppose they think they will look smarter if they use words of foreign origin. The effect is hilarious.

[Jamie (K)]

[Stew.t.]

hi guys

Granted I have never heard an American use au fait, a Canadian yes.

It may or may not be understood by an American, but I am sure some our cousins from over the pond would get it.

Au fait is used in British English to mean "familiar" or "conversant": She's not really au fait with my ideas.

Alternatives could be she is not up on my ideas as expressed by Jamie K. She does not get my ideas.

And if we go for Scots;

She na kens me.

But really au fait still is only used in certain regions, not really "man on the street" or "laymans" language. I have been known to use it, but then again I am "edumacated" in a certain way.
Certainly my family from Derbyshire would not use it, in fact that would frown on the usage. As it would be the language of the toffs (posh). SO maybe I have been "poshified" ; )
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