Words you may need

au courant – Being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge

sui generis – Constituting a class of its own; unique

non sequitur – A reply that has no relevance to what preceded it

persona non grata – A diplomat who is unacceptable to the government to which he is sent

quid pro quo – Something for something; that which a party receives (or is promised) in return for something he does or gives or promises

status quo – The existing state of affairs

coup d’état – A sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force

nom de guerre – A fictitious name used when the person performs a particular social role

mea culpa – An acknowledgment of your error or guilt

de rigueur – Required by etiquette or usage or fashion

bête noire – A detested person

de rigueur – Required by etiquette or usage or fashion

ipso facto – By the fact itself

raison d’etre – Reason for being

inter alia – Among other things

lèse majesté – A crime that undermines the offender’s government

de jure – By right; according to law

de facto – Existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not

Au contraire – used to suggest that the opposite is really the case