define: panache

It looks like pancake. It says panache. It’s not pronounced pa-nuh-shay, but it is pronounced puh-nash.

From Wikipedia:

Panache is a word of French origin that carries the connotation of flamboyant manner and reckless courage.

The literal translation is a plume, such as is worn on a hat or a helmet, but the reference is to King Henry IV of France (13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610). Pleasure-loving and cynical, but a brave military leader and the best-loved of the kings of France he was famed for wearing a striking white plume in his helmet and for his war cry: “Follow my white plume!” (French: “Ralliez-vous à mon panache blanc!”).

So it basically means a plume of feathers, or style/swagger.

Anyway, I came across panache today, and like the word “trifecta” (along with many others), it makes me think of a really, really nice colourful jelly and whipped cream dessert with a cherry on top. No idea why, is it because it sounds/looks like the word pancake, or has French origin? Follow my white plume, indeed.

I joined a gym today. Or gymnasium, if you will. Employees in our company are allowed to join at no cost. They’ll take memberships away from anyone who doesn’t use them. I have, for a very long time, disliked gyms, and felt extremely uncomfortable in them. It’s a bit of a step up for me, I guess. I found someone at work who also likes to run long distance and has been out of regular running for a while, so that’s really lovely! We went for a run today, and I’m expecting to be sore, but it was a good run.

Anyway, I wrote a giant review on Velociraptor’s gig last Friday. I am so proud of it. It’s on Casual Band Blogger. It may be long, but I think a lot of people really enjoyed it and liked it (judging from the favourites and retweets on Twitter). I went into quite a bit of detail, probably fangirled a bit, but that’s what you do, right? Heh, heh.

The Griswolds’ debut album Be Impressive was launched last week, and hell yeah, I am impressed. I also got a shirt in the mail. When I preordered it, regular shipping was $7 and express shipping was $10, so I thought, what the heck. It’s only another three dollars. I love the shirt because it’s this sort of acid-wash navy colour, and I have very few navy shirts. It’s a nice change from black band shirts, I can tell you that. :3

I also wanted to proclaim how much I love the word panache already, that I’m just going to use it in place of the word swag. Not that I use the word often, but you know.

Of course, I also got Velociraptor’s debut self-titled album, also released last week. I think I cried listening to it for the first time, it was so amazing it was like my heart was breaking into a million pieces and then just patching itself together again. I mean, the fact that a garage rock band goes from singing loud and wicked kind of stuff to singing about love and heartbreak but still retain their garage-rock-ness and panache is just incredible.

Thumbnail photo by Shoko Muraguchi

Comments on this post

I’m in the same situation. I get free gym membership through uni but I’ve never been because I have a fear of the gym. I just think everyone is going to be all muscles and I’m going to look like an idiot. But I bet everyone thinks that when they first start. Anyway, congrats on joining!

I’ve never heard of the word “Panache” but I like it. It just feels nice to say. :P