rosbif

roast beef

noun roz-BEEF Rare

Origin: borrowed directly from English 'roast beef'

Also means

British person (slang)

Usage Note

Rosbif entered French in the 18th century as both a culinary term and a light-hearted nickname for the English. The slang sense (un rosbif) is used mostly by older generations and is generally understood as playful rather than deeply offensive, though it can be perceived as dismissive. The dish itself is a classic of French Sunday cooking, often served with jus and roasted potatoes.

Examples

"Le rosbif était parfaitement saignant."

Natural Translation

The roast beef was perfectly rare.

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