Quote:

In French, "clinquant" is clearly derogatory. Jewels that are "clinquant" are either imitation or they are showy and vulgar. Mark Twain's book "The Gilded Age" was translated as "l'âge du clinquant" (to translate the difference between "golden age" and "gilded age"). In the example given, the word does not sound derogatory at all in English.What do native speakers think of it (I'm French)? Is it derogatery or not in English?



I would love to hear that answer too. I also thought the word meant something like cheap, fake materials.