Final answer:
Simple English words do not generally stem from German while more elegant words stem from French is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that simple English words generally stem from German while more elegant words stem from French is false.
English is a Germanic language, so it does have a large number of words with Germanic origins. However, it also has a significant number of words with Latin and French origins.
For example, words related to law, government, and academia often come from Latin and French, while words related to everyday life and nature often have Germanic roots. The influence of French on English is particularly notable due to the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought a significant number of French words into the English language.