Did a friend invite you to dinner and serve chicken 'a la' king? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression 'a la' is the shortened version of the French saying 'à la mode de,' translating to 'In the manner of' or 'in the style of' in English. It's a 'borrowed' phrase, meaning you use the French version in English instead of the translation.
In English, speakers and writers won't use the 'mode de' part of the saying while retaining the meaning of the original French saying in English conversations. Therefore 'à la' is a somewhat pretentious way of saying 'in the manner of' or 'in the style of.'
'À la carte' has figurative use to describe someone who picks and chooses a selection of items from a larger set. For instance, a streaming service gives you an 'a la carte' selection of titles. It allows you to pick and choose what you want to watch. You only pay for each title rather than a subscription to the platform.
Example Usage
"Are you coming home for dinner tonight, or are you going out with the boss? I'm making chicken a la king tonight, and I need to know how much chicken to defrost."
"That restaurant offers an a la carte menu. I must warn you, the food is very good, but the prices are through the roof."
"I grind my coffee beans a la carte. I love a good cup of premium-grade joe in the morning. It's what gets me through the day."
"That guy is an a la carte Catholic. He picks and chooses the traditions in the religion he wants to follow, instead of embracing the faith in its entirety."
"Tonight, I'm making 'chicken a la Trish' for dinner. It's my special recipe, and the family loves it with a little garlic bread on the side."
"Has anyone discovered how to make memories disappear a la 'the eternal sunshine?' There's so much in life I want to forget."
"This idiot drug dealer is making home-pressed pills 'a la Xanax' and hoping the DEA won't catch onto his illicit activities."
"Spaghetti à la Bordelaise is best when served with a beef broth sauce and accompanied by a good glass of red wine."
"I love all these a la carte streaming services. I can pick the entertainment I want to see without wasting money on titles I'll never watch."
Origin
The expression 'a la' originates from the French language. 'A la' translates to in the style of' or 'in the manner of,' which derives from the Latin' à.' The term first appeared in English in its original French format in the late 1600s, describing food.
'A la' has a history of use in native formations with English names or words since the 1800s. Language experts are unsure who first coined the use of the phrase in English.
Phrases Similar to a la
- In the style of.
- In the manner of.
Phrases Opposite to a la
- N/A.
What is the Correct Saying?
- A la.
Ways People May Say a la Incorrectly
'A la' is considered a colloquial expression. Therefore, it's somewhat out of place in formal writings and communications. It's better to use 'in the style of' to replace 'a la' in business and traditional communications.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase a la
You can use the expression 'a la' when you want to refer to something in a specific manner or style. Some English writers may use the 'French grave accent' in à la, but it's not necessary, and most people write the phrase without the accent.
You can use 'a la' in text message communication and verbal exchanges with family, friends, and colleagues. Typically, people use it to describe something in the style of something else. For instance, 'Chicken a la King' means 'chicken in the style of King,' referring to food fit for royalty.