En tout cas
From Hull AWE
En tout cas is a French adverbial and adjectival phrase with some currency in academic English. Literally it means 'in every case'; it is pronounced in English as it is in French, 'on too cah', IPA: /ɔ̃ tuː ka/. Its use in English is largely by people who affect their knowledge of French; its use is best avoided'
- En tout cas had two commercial applications:
- it was a structure like an umbrella, but rather larger, and commonly on a semi-permanent mount, as over a table, which protected the users from rain (like an umbrella) or sun {like a parasol).
- It was the trade name of a British company which installed clay courts and equipment for playing tennis. Its name is sometimes used as a synonym for '[red] clay court', as, to improve the drainage of its courts after rain, it added a powdery surface of crushed brick to them. This encourages the sliding technique often used in clay-court matches. (En tout cas can be used in French for 'all-weather'.)
