Bête noire is a phrase assimilated from the French, literally meaning "black beast." It refers to someone or something which is particularly disliked or avoided; an object of aversion, the bane of one's existence. French (français, langue française) is one of the most important Romance languages, outnumbered in speakers only by Spanish and Portuguese. ... Black is a color with several subtle differences in meaning. ...

"By an application of the theory of relativity to the taste of readers, to-day in Germany I am called a German man of science, and in England I am represented as a Swiss Jew. If I come to be regarded as a bête noire the descriptions will be reversed, and I shall become a Swiss Jew for the Germans and a German man of science for the English!" —Albert Einstein (1879–1955), from the article "Einstein on His Theory" (The Times, London, 28 November 1919)

Bête Noire is also the title of a solo album by Bryan Ferry, formerly of the rock group Roxy Music. Portrait of Albert Einstein taken by Yousuf Karsh on February 11, 1948 Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) was a theoretical physicist who is widely regarded as the greatest scientist of the 20th century. ... The Times is a national quality daily newspaper in the United Kingdom. ... London — containing the City of London — is the capital of the United Kingdom and of England and a major world city. With over seven million inhabitants (Londoners) in Greater London area, it is amongst the most densely populated areas in Western Europe. ... November 28 is the 332nd day (333rd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Bryan Ferry Bryan Ferry (born September 26, 1945 in Washington, Tyne and Wear) is a British singer, musician and songwriter who came to public prominence in the 1970s as lead vocalist with Roxy Music. ... Roxy Music was a British Art-rock group founded in the early 1970s as a collaborative project between art school graduate Bryan Ferry (vocals, keyboards) and electronic music wizard Brian Eno. ...