Gauche: awkward or clumsy, lacking social graces

“His attempts at humor weren’t funny; they were gauche.”

In modern French, the word gauche means “left” which derived indirectly from the Latin word “sinistra” meaning left-handed.

This is an intriguing word to me for several reasons:

1. I’m left handed. I don’t think I’m awkward, clumsy, or lacking in social graces though.
2. The negative historical implications of being left handed are very obvious by looking at the root words. Evidently the French didn’t (don’t?) appreciate those folks who are left handed.
3. The Latin root “sinistra” is also the root for sinister. There is a clear association between being left handed and being looked upon as a sinister person.

Anyhow, it’s an interesting word with an interesting history! (He says with a sinister look in his eye while his left hand firmly grips a pencil.) Hehehe…