phrase
French
Je Ne Sais Quoi
/สษ nษ seษช หkwษห/
lit. โI don't know whatโ
An indefinable but distinctive quality.
Origin
Used since the 17th century in French aesthetics to describe the charm of something whose appeal you can't fully articulate. It entered English mostly through critical writing and society talk.
Modern usage
Used (often slightly ironically) about people, restaurants, films, brands โ anything whose charm refuses to be itemized.
Tags
aesthetics
charm