A Gallicism can be: a mode of speech peculiar to the French; a French idiom; in general, a French mode or custom. loanwords, words or phrases borrowed from French. In speaking or writing English, a Gallicism often results from a direct translation from French, giving an unidiomatic expression. False friends often provide occasions for Gallicisms: For example, using the verb to assist to mean to be present at (as in the French assister à) is a Gallicism.… (More on Gallicism)