soupçon

[prettygoodword]

soupçon (soop-SAWN) - n., a very small amount, a dash, a trace, a hint.


One dictionary notes that it's often restricted to humorous uses. Borrowed in the 1760s from French (so nasalize that last N), where it meant a suspicion, from Middle French sospeçon, from Late Latin suspectiōn-, stem of suspectiō, from Latin suspīciō, suspicion.

---L.

Comments

[spacedlaw.livejournal.com]

Also in French you can use it for a small amount (most often in the kitchen area).

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

That seems to be the sense that was borrowed into English.

---L.