Crossword clues for je ne sais quoi
je ne sais quoi
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"an inexpressible something," French, literally "I do not know what."[T]hey are troubled with the je-ne-scay-quoy, that faign themselves sick out of niceness but know not where their own grief lies, or what ayls them. [Thomas Blount, "Glossographia," 1656]
Wiktionary
n. An intangible quality that makes something distinctive or attractive.
Wikipedia
"Je ne sais quoi" is an Icelandic dancepop song composed by Örlygur Smári and Hera Björk and performed by Hera Björk, and was the Icelandic entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, held in Oslo, Norway on 25, 27 and 29 May 2010. The performance took place in the first semi-final on 25 May and was performed again in the final, four days later. The song is performed in English with some phrases in French (namely the phrases "Je ne sais quoi," I don't know what, and "Je ne sais pas pourquoi," I don't know why). "Je ne sais quoi" was the winner of the Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2010 contest, organised by Icelandic broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) to select the Icelandic entry for the contest. Despite being one of the early favorites and the fans' favorite to win the contest and finishing 3rd with 123 points in the semi-final, the song ended up finishing 19th with 41 points.
Usage examples of "je ne sais quoi".
I believe that Richard chose her for me because she bears a certain resemblance to you, not just physically, but a certain je ne sais quoi.
And this had a je ne sais quoi de sinistre about it which sent pleasurable chills racing along his spinal column.