OT: Quick Break. Cache or Cachet?

[Kibitzer]

Occasional visitor BY posters mention the "cache" of a respected university. When they do, it's an OOPS! moment -- they meant to type "cachet." Common error, so what's the difference?

Cache rhymes with "stash," which is handy because that's basically what it means: something hidden away (e.g., "a stash of drugs").

Cachet (ca-SHAY) means "prestige," like the elite schools they are describing.

Now stash this little tip away.

 

[RowdyFan]

Definitions are your Forte?....

 

[Huskies Rule]

As a long-time Francophile, having spent summers of my youth in Paris, I sort of disagree, Kib. The diacritical accent aigu over the final "e" would result in a pronunciation of 'cash-ay,' as in a biographical summary, which might be considered an acceptable alternative spelling for cachet without having a different meaning, no? Wouldn't that be as with other words that seem to have been acceptably transliterated from French to English, such as resume (re-zoo-may), not 're-zoom.' How about forte (fort) and forte (for-tay)? I realize it's folly to disagree with the Kib on matters grammatical, but isn't "ré·su·mé" okay, sir? If I said cache (pronounced cash-shay, with the accent aigu), would that be alright? I'm probably making no sense at all, professor K.

It's all about the...

 

[Kibitzer]

As a long-time Francophile, having spent summers of my youth in Paris, I sort of disagree, Kib. The diacritical accent aigu over the final "e" would result in a pronunciation of 'cash-ay,' as in a biographical summary, which might be considered an acceptable alternative spelling for cachet without having a different meaning, no? Wouldn't that be as with other words that seem to have been acceptably transliterated from French to English, such as resume (re-zoo-may), not 're-zoom.' How about forte (fort) and forte (for-tay)? I realize it's folly to disagree with the Kib on matters grammatical, but isn't "ré·su·mé" okay, sir? If I said cache (pronounced cash-shay, with the accent aigu), would that be alright? I'm probably making no sense at all, professor K.

It's all about the...

I always defer cheerfully to expert testimony. So thanks.

Please remember I was trying to KISS (Keep It Simple-Stupid) in an effort to discourage Dookies from describing the unique "cash" of their hallowed alma mater.

Glad you mentioned forte, which we know is for-TAY in Carnegie Hall but (correctly) just plain FORT in Madison Square Garden.