French polish is a type of wood finishing that is applied using a technique involving a pad made of cotton or wool and a mix of shellac, spirits, and oil. Other words that can be used instead of French polish include Spirit polish, shellac polish, and French varnish. Spirit polish is another name for the technique, and the name originates from the use of alcohol as a solvent in the polish. Shellac polish refers to the use of shellac as the primary ingredient for the finish. French varnish is another term that is interchangeable with French polish, and the name originates from the French roots of the technique. Ultimately, French polish is a versatile and popular finishing technique that has been in use for centuries.