This trend started in the Middle Ages, when the French language was highly prestigious due to the influence of the Norman Conquest of England and the French monarchy. French words were adopted into English for many things, including:
* Food and cooking: cuisine, restaurant, chef, gourmet
* Fashion: fashion, couture, chic, elegant
* Art and culture: ballet, opera, theatre, masterpiece
* Government and law: parliament, jury, judge, attorney
* Social life: etiquette, amour, rendezvous, fiance
This trend continued through the 18th and 19th centuries, with new words entering the English language as French culture and society became increasingly influential.
While the intensity of Frenchification has lessened over time, French still remains a significant source of loanwords in English, and many of the words adopted during this period remain in common use.