soi-disant

American  

[swa-dee-zahn] / swa diˈzɑ̃ /

adjective

French.

1. calling oneself thus; self-styled.

2. so-called or pretended.

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soi-disant British  

/ swadizɑ̃ /

adjective

1. so-called; self-styled

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Etymology

Origin of soi-disant

First recorded in 1750–60; from French: literally, “calling oneself”; soi “oneself,” from Latin sē ( see also self ( def. )); disant “saying,” present participle of dire “to say, tell,” from Latin dīcere “to say, speak, tell” ( cf. diction ( def. ))

Explanation

If you refer to yourself as a doctor even though you never actually went to medical school, you are a soi-disant, or self-styled, doctor. Please don't try to operate on anyone. This adjective is a stylish replacement for terms like "so-called," "self-styled," or "would-be." Your friend who appears loud and outgoing everywhere she goes, but describes herself as shy, is a soi-disant shy person. The word is also used in a legal context when the law disagrees with a person's self description, like the soi-disant ruler of a country who has illegally seized power. In French, soi means "oneself," and disant is "saying."

Related Words

• alleged
• formal
• purported
• self-styled