wasted words

Was contemplating my days...and observed that I spend a lot of time a la recherche du mot perdu.  Then I wondered how this might sound in English. Obviously could not remember the title in translation. It turns out there are at least two...In Search of Lost Time and Remembrance of Things Past ...of course, it should be lost time more like wasted time. And now, after these thoughts, I feel better.  I am a la recherche du mot juste.My snob aunt met another old nobility snob who complained that her grandson was an actor. Famous, but just an actor.My generous aunt consoled -He's not an actor. He is an artist.