What is the true antonym of "successive"? Did the the "true" sound weird? Well everywhere I looked, I only found subjective antonyms like Broken, Discontinuous, Infrequent, Intermittent, Interrupted, Unconsecutive etc.. But what is the "true" antonym? For example, if the subjective antonym of "Concentrated" is "Dilute", then the True antonym of "concentrated" is "dispersed". Hope you understand. Or the True antonym of "Forward" is "Backward" or "moving in reverse" Likewise, if "successive" was understood as something in relation to "progressive", what is its antonym? Definitely something in the lines of "anti-succession" or likewise. If it does not in fact exist in the English vocabulary, will I be wrong in the convenient neologism "anti-succession"? The premise is where I was drafting a question in the Microsoft forum, answers.microsoft.com, in which I wanted to know how to view elements in the clipboard. The elements are supposed to be stacked and displayed in "succession" but I was only seeing the last element (that was stored in succession to the previous element(s) that was strangely extant). So to draft the question I had to address the elements that were lost or not displayed, that were in fact stored previously/opposite to succession. So what is the true antonym or opposite of succession? Thanks immensely!   * well sorry, my bad. well here it is:   I don't just want the programmers at Microsoft to know that, the "previous elements" seem to have dropped out of display (of which I could have just said "the elements prior to the only one displayed are not.. err don't seem to be there). I want to specify that the "order" of elements don't "stretch back" from the one's displayed. Now I hadn't hoped to expect that the Programmers at Microsoft are "linguistic morons". The correct word usage may be essential in their coming with the accurate response ye?   * here it is Trevor. Well what I meant was this: the clipboard programme is supposed to list out all the clipboard elements in order of their employment. so imagine the carriages of a train, starting from the engine (if the engine is the "middle" carriage). there are 5 carriages before/behind the engine and 5 after/in front of the engine. in my case, the problem is not the carriages in front of the engine, but the carriages behind the engine. I want the programmers to know that the carriages behind the engine are not displayed, and not just "displayed", but they are not displayed in the way they should: in order. or the backward order. now is there a word for backward order? "reverse order" could be a solution, but is there a word, an antonym for the forward flow of things, or "succession". there. cheers! counter-successive sounds perfect thanks indeed Kris. But I still haven't come across the availability of a single word. but thank you all!


English translation for the different parts of a course as found in French schools/universities

What would be the transposition to the US school/university system of the French expressions:   * “cours” (that is _lecture_ , listening to the teacher)   * “travaux dirigés” (lit. _directed works_ , students usually do exercises on a sheet of paper, and they might sometimes be asked to show their solution on the blackboard)   * “travaux pratiques” (lit. _practical works_ , exercises in the lab, doing experiments or working in front of a computer) I am aware of the terms “lectures“, “tutorials“, and “laboratory”, but are they used in the same way? I also heard that the US system often doesn't have “travaux dirigés”, but I don't know to what extent that's true.


'harvest' as a metaphor -- alternatives

I was wondering if it is fine to write > From this project, I have learned [blah blah], and this is the most > important **harvest** I have received from this project. What is a better metaphor or better way to express the meaning?


The plural of "domain"?

Which is the correct use of plurality in the following sentence: > This field is approached from the **domain** of Investment Theory, > Optimization and Machine Learning. or > This field is approached from the **domains** of Investment Theory, > Optimization and Machine Learning. Note that these are each one "domain":   1. Investment Theory   2. Optimization   3. Machine Learning


Origin of "spick and span"

I recently described my room as being _spick and span_ and I realized I had no idea what that really meant. It occurred to me that it might stem from a derogatory term ( _spick_ ), so I thought I'd ask here to make sure there wasn't some racist historical origin. What is its origin?


Can you end a sentence in parentheses?

I am a supporter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).


What are "coherence" and "cohesion" in text linguistics?

I am still learning English. My English language professor has given me an assignment on _coherence_ and _cohesion_. But it seems difficult to me. I've consulted my friend and he told me: > _Cohesion_ and _coherence_ are terms used in discourse analysis and text > linguistics to describe the properties of written texts. > > A text may be cohesive without necessarily being coherent: Cohesion does not > spawn coherence. Cohesion is determined by lexically and grammatically overt > intersentential relationships, whereas coherence is based on semantic > relationships. _Phew_ too difficult! Can anyone please explain the meanings, differences and examples of these to me, in simple and easy English?


Semicolon in "These reasons show why England even went to America in the first place [?] god, gold, and glory"

Should there be a semicolon between _place_ and _god_ in this sentence, in place of the [?]? > These reasons show why England even went to America in the first place > **[?]** god, gold, and glory.


Correct usage of "to coin a phrase"

I've always thought "to coin a phrase" means to invent a phrase or be the first person to use it. Today I came across this usage by a reporter for the Lancashire Telegraph > The Burnley board are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, to coin a > Kilby phrase, ‘bet the ranch’. In this statement, very clearly the reporter is _using Kilby's common phrase_ and not making up her own Some searching led me to the Cambridge dictionary > to coin a phrase > > something you say before using an expression that has been very popular or > used too much In this definition this becomes equivalent to **cliched** The same sentiment is explained at http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/coin-a- phrase.html So my question is _whether this is universally the case or is it a British English thing_? Is it now incorrect to use "coin a phrase" with a meaning of "a new phrase" ?


Equivalences between Australian English and American English

Where can I find a good source (book or web page) of equivalences between Australian English and American English? I am looking for ordinary words, clothing-related words, food-related words, etc.


We have a TV that folds into the roof in our car and one morning, as it was folded away my son asked, "Please would you take the television down?". I didn't think this was the correct use of the word 'take' - the TV was not being moved anywhere, just folded down for viewing. Am I correct or is my son?


Question about the word class of "righteous"

I'm wondering about the word class. > It does not mean to make righteous just, but to declare or pronounce > righteous. As far as I know the word "righteous" or "just" is an adjective. But in the sentence above, "righteous" seems to be located in position for objective, behind "make" and "declare". Is this sentence right? Then how is it possible?


Weekly Twice - One word

Is there any single word which can substitute "weekly twice" or "twice in a week"?


What does ‘go nuclear’ mean in “Senate Democrats go ‘Nuclear’ to curb the filibuster”?

There was the following sentence in the article of Time magazine (November 21) titled, “Senate Democrats go ‘Nuclear’ to curb the filibuster”: > “During the Bush Administration, Republicans threatened to **go nuclear** > when Democrats held up judicial appointments. But use of the filibuster has > skyrocketed to unprecedented levels during the Obama Administration, as > Republicans harnessed the procedural tactic to stop the President’s agenda. None of Cambridge, Oxford and Merriam-Webster English Dictionary carries the words, “go nuclear” as an idiom. Google Ngram shows usage of this word, which was observed early back in late 1930s, much earlier than the drop of atomic bombs in Hiroshima / Nagasaki in August, 1945, and dropping sharply (to 0.0000029% level in 2008) after peaking around 1980 (0.0000060%level). Though the online slang dictionary defines it as ‘become enraged,’ it doesn’t seem to fit the context of the above quote - _Republicans threatened to go nuclear_ when Democrats held up judicial appointments. What does “go nuclear” mean, and what is the origin of the word? Can I say “My boss _went nuclear_ when I told him in face that our business goal is unrealistic and unattainable”?


What is the word for someone who helps you finish a sentence (but in a good way)?

You know that feeling when you’re about to finish a particular thought and suddenly someone else, a friend or a stranger, finishes your sentence better than you possibly could have? Is there a word for that in English, or in any language?


Are the rhetorical meanings of "elliptic", "hyperbolic", and "circular" connected to their mathematical meanings?

The words "elliptic", "parabolic" (or "like a parable"), "hyperbolic", and "circular" all have meaning in rhetoric. Are these meanings etymologically connected to the conic sections?


Is "Obtuse" related to "Dull"?

I'm imagining a knife. Not very sharp = dull, right? Is that the origin of the use of "obtuse" to mean "not very bright"?


Plural or Singular after "no"

After searching product on website, should I show one of these? `There is no any product` or `There is no any products` ? Some people on Internet said that singular is used after uncountable noun and plural after countable one but I don't agree with that. I think singular should be used after "no".


What's the difference between "act" and "action"? More specifically in the way they are generally used (and not more specific theatrical definitions, for instance)?


Difference between "log in", "authenticate" and "sign in"?

I didn't find the difference between them by googling **Edit** : Thx litterally, authenticate, means prove its identity, which is a just a subprocess of global access authorization   btw I forgot to mention "Sign In", that's another confusing term for me ;)


What does “put a floor under the crash” mean?

There were the following lines in former President Bill Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention held on September 5th; > “In Tampa the Republican argument against the President’s re-election was > pretty simple: _We left him a total mess_ , he hasn’t finished cleaning it > up yet, so fire him and put us back in. > > I like the argument for President Obama’s re-election a lot better. He > inherited a deeply damaged economy, _put a floor under the crash_ , began > the long hard road to recovery, and laid the foundation for a more modern, > more well-balanced economy that will produce millions of good new jobs, > vibrant new businesses, and lots of new wealth for the innovators.” What does “ _put a floor under the crash_ ” mean? Does it mean to lay the solid foundation by cleaning up rubbles? Is it a popular idiom? Additionally, I’d like to know why it’s ‘We’ in the phrase referring to the Republican argument “ _We left him a total mess_.” Who is “We”? Is it Republicans? Isn’t it Republicans’ argument that “He (President Obama) left us (American economy) a total mess, not Republican left Obama a total mess? This sounds like Republicans destructively left President Obama (and his policy) a total mess.” I don’t think former President misspoke, but I can’t understand who “We” are. Can you clarify the logic?


Why is “a” used here: “When a Mr. Andrews, the butler...”?

I posted a question several days ago about the significance of using “ _a_ ,” in the sentence of Jeffery Archer’s novel, “False Impression” - “General Harry Wentworth was commanding his left flank when _a_ defeated Napoleon rode off the battle field and into exile. Most of answers from you were “a”, not “the” was used to reflect one of various aspects of Napoleon’s character, which I think I was sold. With that said, what is the role of _a_ in the following sentence that appears in the subsequent chapter (P.59): > "When _a_ Mr. Andrews, the butler at the Wentworth Hall, had rung the > previous day to say that painting would be ready for collection in the > morning, Ruth had scheduled one of her high-security air ride trucks to be > at the hall by eight o’clock." Is _a_ necessary before _Mr. Andrews_ in the above sentence? Or does it imply Andrews the butler is _a_ member of the Andrews family known for serving the distinguished family of Earl of Wentworth for generations? I’m asking this as I’m occupied with the significance and functions of article, because it is always a persistent headache for an English learner of a country devoid of the habit of using the article.


Etymology of "at large"

> The killer is still at large. Where does the meaning of _at large_ ( _not captured; free_ ) come from? Besides being _big_ I know that _large_ means also _wide in range and involving many things_. Is there any connection between that meaning and the idiom?


Is there a word or term to describe a statement that implies a question so sufficiently that the question is not actually included?

I have often noticed people who make statements, actually ending with a question mark when written, but where there is no actual question asked. The question is implied sufficiently enough in the context of the statement, and/or the previous statement that the question portion can be omitted. Some examples: > Sandra: I'm not walking to the theatre as I didn't bring a jacket.   > Julie: I have a spare jacket? In the above, it is clear that Julie is asking "would you like to borrow my spare jacket so that we can walk to the theatre". > Paul: We aren't going to Pizza Hut at lunch as it's too far to walk in an > hour.   > Dave: I have my car today? Again, it is clear that Dave is offering to drive and asking if that is an option. Is there a term to describe this?


"Stickied thread" or "sticked thread", when talking about internet forum thread

What is the more correct form? Quick Google research tells that first form is more popular, but don't give a definitive answer about what is the most appropriate.


Using the gerund "Starting"

Does the gerund clause _Starting in_ imply the future tense? For example, is this correct? > Starting in January, 2012, we will use public transportation. Or is it proper to use the following: > Starting in January, 2011, we use public transportation.


I wanted to know

Is this sentence grammatical with _were_ (for talking about the present), or is _are_ is better? >   1. I wanted to know if there **were** any accounts assistant posts > available. >   2. I wanted to know if there **are** any accounts assistant posts > available. >


"hot topic" as phrase in thesis

I'm currently writing the introduction of my Ph.D. thesis, which is about theoretical computer science. I stumbled upon the phrase > To put it in a nutshell, **X** is a hot topic where **X** refers to some topic, which is not important here. I would like to use this phrase in myintroduction, but I'm not sure whether it is too colloquial. Does anyone has experience in this matter? Is there a more formal way of expressing something similar? Thank you!


How do you spell wifi / Wi-Fi / WiFi?

This is probably related to whether one should capitalize Internet or not. I am looking for the correct spelling of wifi when referring to a wireless connection to the Internet. I want to tell the users of my iPhone app that they cannot use their cellular network to watch the HD videos. If I use the capitalized and hyphenated version as seen on Wikipedia, will I be referring to the Wi-Fi brand rather than the concept of wifi? > "Wi-Fi" is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance and the brand name for products > using the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. Some dude on Meta.stackoverflow made this claim with no explanation: > WiFi" is a bit better than "wifi" as it asserts the etymology, compare > history of usage of "hifi" from which it derives. – Steve-o Aug 29 at 3:59


Contextual meaning of "compromise"

Looking up the dictionary shows only that _compromise_ has the definition: > to reach an agreement in which everyone involved accepts less that what they > wanted at first However, what is the meaning of _compromise_ in the following contexts? > Hackers hit Acer website, **compromise** 40K users' data > > Hacker Claims Full **Compromise** of Royal Navy Website In Longman dictionary of Contemporary English there's no relevant explanations. In Oxford dictionary there's no relevant explanations. In Merriam-Webster there's no relevant explanations. I found a definition here, which seems right: > to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.; > jeopardize: a military oversight that compromised the nation's defenses. But this explanation is different from what says by WikiDictionary, one says exposé to danger, the other says breach into system what's the exact meaning of this word?


What does the gesture to touch the side of your nose with a forefinger mean?

I came across the phrase, ‘touching the side of his nose with a forefinger’ in Jeffery Archer’s short story titled ‘Politically Correct’. The hero of the story warns the porter of his apartment about a neighbor he feels ‘dodgy’: > ‘Keep your ear to the ground, Dennis,’ he added, _touching the side of his > nose with a forefinger._ ‘Although our masters have decided it’s not > politically correct, I have to tell you I don’t like the look of him.’ It seems to me the gesture of touching the side of nose to be a sign of saying ‘be careful.’ Am I correct? Though using the forefinger, not the middle finger, isn’t this gesture confused with the bird? I’m asking this as we Japanese don’t have this kind of gestures, but for pointing my own nose with a forefinger, signifying ‘It’s me.’ Additionally, I’m thankful if you tell me who ‘our masters’ are?


Can I say "We don't must", any alternative using a modal verb if I can't?

Let me explain. Suppose someone says "We must play a game now". I disagree, but only on that we have to do it. I shouldn't answer "We must not" because I would be saying that the game is not to be allowed to happen. "We don't must" feels incorrect, I'm not sure if it is. So, other than completely changing the phrase answering things like "I don't feel like playing" or "I disagree", how do I express that idea that I don't think that we must, using the verb must? Is it possible?


Is "as energetic as a stalk of whipped asparagus" an idiom?

I came across a sentence (shown below) and I'm wondering whether "as energetic as a stalk of whipped asparagus" is an idiom? I can't seem to find it in the dictionary, nor on the Internet. > I came home from school the next day feeling as energetic as a stalk of > whipped asparagus.


Why do we use '/' sign as a representation of 'or'?

Imagine that you want to write something about colors and you know that **red or blue** would work in that context. How do you write that? I've seen these styles:   1. Red or blue   2. Red, or blue   3. Red/blue Why is this sign used as a substitute for 'or'? I mean, in computer engineering, '|' represents 'or' and in mathematics, 'V' represents 'or'. Is there any reason why this symbol is chosen? PS: The same case is true about '&' sign (ampersand).


I read this in the novel 'Of Human Bondage' by Somerset Maugham. It follows as below. 'Philip was even more than usually shy and abrupt; and whether on account of this, **unconsciously bent upon exerting the fascination he knew was his only by the results** , or whether from sheer kindness of heart, It was Rose who first took Philip into the circle.' Is it all right if I suppose like this? (For Rose being) unconsciously bent upon exerting the fascination he knew was his (fascination) only by the results Please help me.


What does "the once and future" mean?

I've encountered the phrase “the once and future X” and I'm confused by it. It seems to be closely related to Arthurian legends: the book The Once and Future King (referring to Arthur) or the episode The Once and Future Queen of the TV show Merlin (referring to Guinevere; this use is likely derived from the aforementioned book). When I try to understand what the phrase means, I would think it's something like “the one who was king in the past (i.e. once) and will be king again (i.e. in the future)”. But that doesn't make any sense to me, based on what I know about the legend of Arthur (which isn't much), he didn't stop being king and then became a king again. So, what exactly is the phrase supposed to mean?


Bora Bora, Here We Come

Saw this phrase/expression in CIBC advertisement. The pleased client asked, "should we re-investment or expand", and the bank clerk said, "you can do both", then the old lady in the back happily claimed, "Bora Bora, Here We Come" What does this phrase/expression mean/imply? Where is it coming from?


Use-case of `as less as possible`

Are following two usages are both valid and have same meaning?               Use tools as less as possible.     Use as less tools as possible.      Thanks.


What does "fraction of Blue Book value" mean?

On this page : http://boston.craigslist.org/i/autos the fourth point of "How to recognize a vehicle scam attempt on CL" What does "fraction of blue book value" mean?


Does 'pinch' have an opposite?

Recently, I've found myself talking about the use of pinching to zoom out on mobile devices, and I've been struggling with an opposite for the word 'pinch'. In lieu of a better word, I've been saying 'unpinch'. I'm wondering if there's a more appropriate word to use to describe the motion of spreading the fingers from a pinch position.


What is the word to describe trying to find the right word for something?

There is a "meanings" tag on English.SE, but I would like the opposite way around — I have a meaning already, I want the word (if it exists) for doing just this.


Etymology of "Inviolate"

What is the etymology of the word "inviolate" and where does it appear out of the context of privacy (as opposed to how Warren and Brandeis used it to help define privacy)? For the full context please see my question here http://mi.yodeya.com/questions/6012/is-the-term-idea-inviolate-used-in-the- old-testament


Difference between "normal person" and "average person"

Is there any difference between _normal person_ and _average person_? Can I use these interchangeably?


How can I understand "thirty-seconds of a dollar"?

I read the following sentence in the book _Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives_ : > Treasury bond prices in the United States are quoted in dollars and > **thirty-seconds of a dollar**. Here is my question: How should I understand the phrase in bold, namely, "thirty-seconds of a dollar"? I think the plural form "thirty-seconds" means _several_ thirty-seconds of a dollar. Does it make sense?


How can I interpret “talk somebody out of” in “He talked the mutawwa out of beheading or lashing me”?

I read the following sentence in Maureen Dowd’s article titled _The Saudi Ambassador of Sangfroid_ in today’s (October 22) New York Times: > “When I was walking around a luxury mall in Riyadh with Jubeir, the robed, > bearded religious police bore down on us, pointing at me and scolding in > Arabic. They say they can see the outline of your body,” Jubeir translated. > It took a surprisingly long time, given his stature as a top adviser to the > future King Abdullah, but he _talked_ the mutawwa _out of_ beheading or > lashing me." It seemed to me that the usage of _out of_ in the sentence “He talked the mutawwa out of beheading or lashing me” is very different from the _out of_ in the sense of _from_ , _without_ , _apart_ that I got used to. Does _out of_ here mean _not to (do)_? Or, should I take it as _talk someone out of (doing)_ in the sense of _discuss with (persuade) someone thoroughly for him not to do_? Is "talk somebody out of" a very popular usage?


Is there a word for fake company history?

I'm looking for a word to describe history made up by a company for marketing purposes.


"You should have also named" vs. "you should also have named"

Out of the two sentences, which one is correct? >   1. You should have also named it the Daily prophet. >   2. You should also have named it the Daily prophet. > My guess is it's the first one.


What is a less ambiguous word for "confuse" in context of describing two similar things?

What is the most natural way to express "confuse" in the sense of "unable to tell apart" as in following sentence: > John always confuses the twins and is never able to tell them apart. I don't want it to sound like he is making the twins confused. To make the question clear, I would like to add one more sentence where this discussion might be applicable "Do not confuse activity with productivity".


Is a statue made of bronze called bronzed or brazed?

When do you use bronzed vs. brazed? Is a bronze statue bronzed or brazed? What would be the best word for a man that was commemorated with a bronze statue?


Chewing corn for gummy parrots? (Meaning? Origin? )

What does this saying mean and it's origin? I heard it on Coronation Street a few years back - spoken by the late Blanche at Peter's Aa meeting. Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e54gzq5Xr0Y She says it around 1.10


What does "to get in line soldier-style" mean?

I read the following sentence and was wondering what does the phrase 'to get in line soldier-style' mean in the context - > A third person familiar with the bank told Reuters that Pandit and O'Neill > clashed because the chairman wanted the CEO "to get in line soldier-style." Does it mean to be obedient and follow orders blindly?


Is it normal to use ‘the second’ without a preposition in expressing ‘as soon as” or ‘no later than’?

I saw the following sentence in Time magazine’s (December 3) article titled “Betraying physical book: A book lover’s e-dilemma: > “When electronic books first came out, I embraced them wholeheartedly. In > fact, I was one of the first to buy Amazon’s Kindle electronic book reader > **the second** it was available.” Is “the second” used adverbially? What is the function of ‘the second’ as a part of speech in this instance? Is it common to drop a preposition (in or at) before ‘the second (minute, moment, or instant)’ in expressing simultaneity?


When to use commas (if at all) with subordinate clauses?

I'm finding conflicting guidelines about the use of commas with subordinate clauses. What are the rules? Also, which of the following is correct, and why? >   * Some of what Mike did needs to be adjusted. >   * Some of what Mike did, needs to be adjusted. >


Phenomenon of overused and popular words

Certain words or phrases become really popular. These words are picked up by many people, are overused, and sometimes misused to such an extent that the whole meaning of the word changes, or is even lost. I would describe these words as fads, because they become popular, but then (usually) disappear again. Two examples:   * Like: This morning I was, like totally, late for work.   * Literally: If I do not get my phone back, I will literally die of boredom. What is that phenomenon called? Is there a definition of what I just described? **Edit:** After reading all the comments and responses I realized that my question was confusing. I was looking for a word that describes the phenomenon of (initially odd usages of) words being picked up and used by other people. I gave the examples and stated what happens to these words to clarify what I meant.


The hole in a character

Forgive any naivety. I have come from SO to SE to ask a question. I am looking for a font, where the hole in a character ie O, A, P, Q. Can be used to insert an image. I do not need a recommendation for a font. But what I am asking for is the word used to explain this area. Can someone please provide me with the specific word that explains the whitespace within these particular letters.


Where versus were

New York Times editorial today says: > The Bronx district attorney should be applauded for refusing to prosecute > bad arrests that officers were unable to prove _were_ warranted. Should it be: > The Bronx district attorney should be applauded for refusing to prosecute > bad arrests that officers were unable to prove _where_ warranted.


What do you call someone who always talks a situation in their favor? For example, Tom tells Mary that she has a piece of meat stuck in between her teeth. Mary replies "Oh I purposely left it there". How do you describe Mary's character? Thanks.


Answering the phone outside work

When I was learning English at school, I was taught that one ought to answer the phone saying "X speaking". In films however, I sometimes see people answering any phone with a simple 'hello' and, in family homes, with "the Smiths' residence" (or something similar), possibilities that 'teaching books' omit (for example, "Hello" will always be used together with "X speaking" or similar) . Recently, I've surveyed a book for teaching non-native speakers who says the phone should be answered by saying the number of the phone followed by "X speaking" So I'm wondering: is there a general rule for answering the phone (outside work situations)? I'm mostly interested in American and British 'rules', since that's what students usually ask about, but variants from other countries will always be interesting and welcome for comparison.


Meaning of 'an old hat'

I found the phrase “old hat” in the following sentence of The New York Times’ article (April 20) titled, “The Tech-Savvy Traveler.” > AT 28 years old, Soraya Darabi is _an old hat_ at staying on the cutting > edge of social media. Her first job out of college was in the communications > department for Condé Nast Digital for products like epicurious.com. At 23, > she became the manager of digital partnerships and social media at The New > York Times and went on to help found Foodspotting (foodspotting.com), a Web > site and digital application that aggregates real-time dining advice. What did the journalist mean when she wrote "an old hat"?


Is the verb "to steer" derived from driving oxen?

While answering another question, I read through the Online Etymology Dictionary's entry on _steer_ : > steer (v.)   >  "guide the course of a vehicle," Old English steran (Mercian), stieran > (West Saxon), from Proto-Germanic *steurijanan (cf. Old Norse styra, Old > Frisian stiora, Dutch sturen, Old High German stiuren, German steuern "to > steer," Gothic stiurjan "to establish, assert"), related to *steuro "a > rudder, a steering" (cf. Old English steor "helm, rudder," German Steuer and > first element in starboard), from PIE *steu-ro- (cf. Greek stauros "stake, > pole"), from root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). > > The notion is of a stiff, upright pillar or post used in steering. To steer > clear of in the figurative sense of "to avoid completely" is recorded from > 1723. Related: Steered; steering. Steering committee in the U.S. political > sense is recorded from 1887. > > steer (n.)   >  "young ox," Old English steor "bullock," from Proto-Germanic *steuraz (cf. > Old Saxon stior, Old Norse stjorr, Swedish tjur, Danish tyr, Middle Dutch, > Dutch, German stier, Gothic stiur "bull"), perhaps from PIE *steu-ro-, a > root denoting "strength, sturdiness" (see taurus). So, both the verb and the noun are traced back to the same Proto Indo-European root meaning "strength, sturdiness". The etymology I have posted does not link the two beyond suggesting that they have independently arisen from the same root. This kind of convergent evolution goes very much against my training as a biologist which has taught me to look for the most parsimonious explanation of an observed lineage. In this case, that would be to have one sense of the term develop from the other. At the time when these words entered English, the only things people could steer (drive) were various types of boats and carts. Carts which were often pulled by oxen, by steers. I would guess that _steering_ as a verb developed from driving steer drawn carts. Is there any evidence for my suggestion or am I just spinning pretty stories?


Reciprocal or converse definitions

I am writing an article where I need to describe an equation like the one below, in reference to two mathematical objects, A and B, that I have already defined in the text. > f = #merge errors + #split errors To do so, I need to define what merge and split errors are with respect to A and B. One possibility is: > "A merge error refers to a pair of elements that were grouped in A, but not > in B, and a split error refers to a pair of elements that were grouped in B, > but not in A" The above description is technically correct, but I would like to find a description that is less redundant (i.e. more compact). I thought of the following possibilities, but none of them sound correct to me: > "A merge error refers to a pair of elements that were grouped in A, but not > in B, and a split error **refers to the converse** " > > "A merge error refers to a pair of elements that were grouped in A, but not > in B, and a split error is **defined reciprocally** " > > "A merge error refers to a pair of elements that were grouped in A, but not > in B, and a split error is **defined conversely** " How can I define two objects where one is implicitly defined as the converse of the other?


From the 4th to the 8th of June - [date ranges]

In a business letter, what's the correct or more frequent way to write date ranges? > from the 4th to the 8th of June 2014, we have been working on the project or > from 4 to 8 June 2014, we have been working on the project or > In June 2014, 4 to 8, we have been working on the project


What is a "dear grandma, love egg" moment?

Robert Peston recently wrote on his BBC blog: > But it would mean that the perceived quality of all the trillions of dollars > of bonds it has sold would deteriorate (here is one of my "dear grandma, > love egg" moments - when a government issues a bond, it is borrowing from > investors). What on earth is a “dear grandma, love egg” moment?


Is "offer sb with sth" ungrammatical? If it is, why do so many people use them?

I've looked in all the major dictionaries and there is no such way of using "offer."   1. I offered him with a raise. <= incorrect (according to dictionaries)   2. I offered him a raise. <= correct But a quick Google search shows that many people use (1). Is it because it's correct or is it because it's natural to some people?


A word for a “re-lyricized” song?

I am not a native English speaker. I look for a proper English word for a “re- lyricized” song. I mean the case when someone writes his own lyrics for a melody of a well-known song. For example, if I take the melody of The Beatles’ _Yesterday_ and sing it with my own lyrics like “Funny thing, let me sing a really funny thing…” (or any other words that fit the melody). It is not a parody as such, because I have no intention to mock or imitate The Beatles; the lyrics are not related to the original song, its author or performers. I have heard this kind of songs in stand-up comedy and student performances. What is the word for this? _A skit_ , _a cover_ , _a rendition_ , maybe _a filk_?


"Answerer" and "asker"

I just went to post a question on another Stack Exchange site and my spell checker is telling me that _asker_ is incorrect but _answerer_ is correct. Is _asker_ wrong? What should I use instead?


In the early 1900s, would the name (Nettie/Nette) have been more likely to be spelled Nette or Nettie?

I am developing a family album. In doing so, I have seen the name (Nettie/Nette) spelled both as Nette and as Nettie. I have not been able to locate relevant birth records. Can someone tell me what the dominant spelling of this name was in the early 1900s. In this instance, the specific year of birth was 1910. I believe this is a question of etymology or usage.


What is the etymology of "bugger-lugs"?

I have recently heard the phrase _bugger-lugs_ used to refer to a person present, as in "How much do I owe you, _bugger-lugs_?". I have also heard it used to refer to a moderately mischievous child ("what have you been up to, _bugger-lugs_?"), and I can also remember my mother using the phrase to refer to the cat, in the same way as the mischievous child. But does anyone know where the phrase comes from? I have tried a search and found the results here, which doesn't shed much light on the matter. Green's _Dictionary of Slang_ suggests it is an affectionate term of address, usually among men, and hints at a naval origin, but otherwise sheds no light on the matter. **Edit** following Hugo's link produces possibly an alternative meaning:- > "Well known in 40s / 50s Lancashire. For many years I thought it was 'bug-a- > lugs', never having seen it written ... gross or corpulent habit' from fusty > + lug.('lug' in the sense of heavy or slow) Perhaps from buggy-lugs or bugs- > in-lugs?"


Spoil/Spoiled Vs. Indulge/Indulged

What are the differences between _spoil/spoiled_ and _indulge/indulged_ as verbs and adjectives respectively?


Dropping the subject from sentences

Consider this example: > He got into the car. Started the engine, checked the mirrors. Stepped on the > gas and headed down Main Street. Omitting the subject from a sentence isn't proper construction, strictly speaking, but it infuses the writing with a sense of breathless urgency. I've seen a few writers use this style (notably in fast-paced suspense novels).   * How common is this style?    * Is there a name for it? (I was thinking **staccato style** , but that refers to short, choppy sentences in general)


What is the equivalent of "Jack o'lantern" in British English?

Sometimes the constant stream of exported American culture overpowers the vocabulary. Thanks to the explosion of posts on Reddit in the last month I know that Americans call a a carved pumpkin a "jack o'lantern". But I can't for the life of me remember what I used to call it. Is there even a specific name for it in British English?


Are "academic society" and "industrial society" correct?

I'm writing a Personal Statement and I need to say something like "this research topic is hot in both _academic society_ and _industrial society_ ". Are these phrases correct?


Is there a term for an acronym "parody" / "backformation" / "re-purposing"?

I've engaged the task of trying to legitimize the presence of a listing of DRM standing for "Digital Restrictions Management" on Wikipedia's disambiguation page for the acronym DRM. _(This is a case where the original term stood for "Digital Rights Management", which is considered by the activist cause as whitewashing the true implications; as it may only limit/restrict and never grant any rights on the digital media to the users if the limitations were not present. It is advocated as a replacement meaning for the acronym by theDefective by Design movement.)_ I'm not sure what to call an acronym with this character. The terms that came to mind were "parody", "backformation", or "re-purposing". Is there a more general term for taking an acronym that was marketed and understood as meaning one thing and promoting an alternate meaning?


How do I punctuate a question with a guessed answer in it?

How to punctuate a question directly followed by the asker's guess at the answer? E.g. >   1. What's in here? Your books? >   2. What's in here, your books? >   3. What's in here; your books? > Which of these (if any) is correct?


Pronunciation of "again"

What is the Standard British English1 pronunciation of "again"? I looked in Wiktionary and it gives two UK pronunciations, /əˈɡeɪn/, and /əˈɡɛn/. * * * 1 I mean Standard British English as in the tag description for `received- pronunciation`: "Received Pronunciation (RP) is the prestigious and non- regional variety of British English often considered to be Standard British English."


Unit of measurement for services

I try Googling but couldn't come up with a valid answer. If I were to create a quotation, what is the correct unit to use for various kind of services. For other object, the unit would be like piece, unit, device, pair, roll, box, etc For example, heater installation, repairing 3 phones, wiring 2 rooms. Thanks


What does this usage of "with" mean?

I'm sorry for asking what will be such a simple question but I'm not sure exactly how _With_ is used in sentences where that's the first word. > Is that what it took to fall in love with someone? Would it take years of > living with Nali to love her? Then so be it. **With** those thoughts he > turned on his heel and... [ _Nali_, Esther Henry] > > "Where did Grant go? Shit, he must have left. I wonder if he knows that I'm > still alive... That would be rather careless of him to not kill me if he > wanted me dead. Hmm..." **With** those thoughts, the man stood up and walked > off. ["God of War" on Zetaboards] > > "It has been almost a year since it began, I can not go on like this much > longer." **With** those thoughts he started the day. [Martin Wolf on The > Indie Stone] etc


Capitalization of "Assembly Language"

This Wikipedia article does not capitalize "assembly language," for understandable reasons. It uses it as an indefinite article, i.e. "an assembly language." But how should it be written when using it as a definite article? > He wrote it in Assembly. Versus: > He wrote it in assembly.


What part of speech is "chiropractic"?

"Chiropractic" sounds like an adjective because of the "ic", but the title "Doctor of Chiropractic" seems like a noun. Am I just confused?


Why is it that Frisian is considered the closest related language to English?

It is commonly asked "What is the closest language to English?" and the equally common answer is > Frisian Except that there is rarely a reason given for this connection; the most that is given are baldly stated 'facts' (e.g. "English and Dutch are in the same 'Low German' group") Can anyone give any substantive reasons? For example, an comparative overlap of vocabulary, a distance metric of phonology, privately shared syntactic rules among all the rules in West German languages.


Pending vs. left vs. remaining

When should one use _pending_ , as opposed to _left_ or _remaining_?


Etymology of "manhole"

I don't think _man_ stands for _male_ here, I think it stands for _human_ --it is a _humanhole_. Does it have this name because its purpose is to provide access to the sewer for _men_? ![enter image description here](https://encrypted- tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3aANd9GcQ4-70U2IxQpN3AyAJoWF7h1D71B2dbYK7Ovj3AP7rCj8WDw4gC)


Synonyms for "Needs some attention" and "getting attention"?

I have a particular English issue. I'm looking for short (one word if possible) descriptions of two concepts mentioned in the subject of this question. I'm building a software application and I need to give the user one of two statuses on an object. The first context is " _This is a new thing and needs your attention_ "; the second context is " _this thing is being looked at by someone_ ". The visual space I'm working with is quite small, which yields my need for a short description. Any ideas for words that express this concept? **EDIT** : To add some context, I'm using this software in a sort of ticketing environment, i.e. that an issue affecting a customer has come up. I just need two indicators to say "This thing i new!" and "Someone is looking at it" for our customer service people to keep track of it internally.


Is "it is no calculus" correct grammar?

I often hear people saying, _it's no big deal_ , or _I am no […]_ , etc. I was wondering if it is acceptable to say _it is no calculus_ in a college essay.


Word meaning “convalescing” their mental health

Is there an alternative to the verb _convalescing_ for someone recuperating from a mental breakdown, as opposed to convalescing after a physical illness?


"Benefit" is to "pro" as what is to "con"?

What word would best suit this analogy?


Why is it “objections to moving”, not “objections to move”?

I got this sentence from the _Economist_ : > There are two primary objections to moving to the chained CPI. My question is, why have they used _moving_ instead of _move_ after _objections to_?


"Within" and "in" when referring to time

I know that both can mean "inside" but what I don't have clear is whether both mean the same when talking about time. For example:   * The party is in two days = The party is within two days ?? According to this link http://oilpatchwriting.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/in-vs- within/ _within_ means a limit that can be exceeded, so I'm wondering too if say "the party is within two days max" is correct or redundant.


Using "beyond" with nothing following behind

I wrote the following: > Her words hung in the air as I gazed out of the hotel window. The mountain > lay quietly in the dark, like a calm, sleeping giant. **A cluster of city > lights glittered beyond.** In the forest nearby, pine trees bowed slightly > in the wind, and the loud cries of cicadas reverberated among the trunks. By _glittering beyond_ I meant **glittering below or on the other side of the mountain** (but trying to keep the sentence short). Something to illustrate what I want to describe: ![enter image description here](http://i.stack.imgur.com/9PydQ.jpg) Is it OK to use **beyond** like in the example above? Should I change it to something else?


Word that means to "get something good but loses something else good in return"

I was at the optical store getting a new pair of glasses and lens. Since I have a somewhat high prescription, when selecting the features for the lenses I asked the clerk whether there is an option where the lenses can be made thinner than the regular lenses with the same prescription and she said yes, those are the high-index lenses and they cost a little bit more. Then I asked her since these lenses are thinner thus better, will it lose quality in other areas such as clarity, impact resistance, etc.. I feel the way I asked this is somewhat wordy and I wonder if there's an expression that means what I'm trying to say. An expression that describes the fact of getting something that improves its quality, but will in turn cause the lost of quality in something else sort of like a balance, I guess similar to the word _sacrifice_? But using _sacrifice_ doesn't seem that correct in this context.


"Suspended" vs "Blocked" meaning

What's the difference between:               Process A is suspended.        And               Process A is blocked.        (Process refers to process running on computer).


"Least expected" or "least unexpected"

When I was talking to my girlfriend, she mentioned an incident where one of her friends surprised her with a gift. She said something like _that least unexpected ..._ after which we got into a debate that _least expected_ is right rather than _least unexpected_. I said that _least unexpected_ would be more like _expected_. After this, I googled the phrase and to my surprise found that _least unexpected_ is used to express something that was not expected in many places. For instance, this: > “A Gem in the least unexpected place” So I'm a bit confused now. Which one is right?


differences between 'ourselves' and 'one another'

Please, what is the usage of these two? When should we use ourselves and when not to use it? Thanks. "Eg, ... That we should benefit from ourselves." Is this correct??


Recommended pronunciation of international English for foreigners

There are some differences in the pronunciation of English in USA and in UK. Furthermore, there are differences in the pronunciation in different areas of the same country. Examples: "go" is pronounced with /o/ in USA and /ə/ in UK. In USA, some areas have the cot-caught merger, other areas have the pin–pen merger and other areas has the Northern cities vowel shift. Since I will not live in an English-speaking country, I will use English with people from different parts of the world, including Americans, British and non-native English speakers, such as French, Germans and Russians. Therefore, I need use a neutral or international version of English and I have no need to learn details of specific dialects. Non-native English speakers do not have a dialect. My writing is messed, it mixes features of American English and British English in the same text. I learn English from different sources and the varieties became mixed in my head. Do I have to follow the IPA in the dictionary totally? Can I choose some easier features from each dialect to make my own pronunciation? Is it strange to pronounce some words like someone from London and other words like someone from New York? The English vowels are really difficult for me. I prefer the American vowels and the British consonants. The use of the cot-caught merger will make my life easier. The American "t" is strange and I prefer the British "t".


Word to describe sending an out of date email after spending a long time composing it

I sometimes spend a chunk of time (lets say 30 minutes) composing an email which, when I've checked it, I send. My next step is almost always to re-check the inbox. Occasionally I discover that whilst I was composing the email, the situation to which the email relates has moved on and the email I sent is now inaccurate. The same word might also apply to a scientist who spends perhaps years doing research and then publishes, without checking that the assumptions his work is based on are still correct. The upshot of the situation would be the need to issue a rapid update to the email/work to correct it. UPDATE: Thanks for the answers so far. I think that 'obsolete' describes the situation that the work (or email) finds itself it. Could also be 'superceded'. Also liked E-moot. However, I think that 'scooped' comes closest to what I was after. I'm really looking for a word which describes the experience of the person having done the work that is now obsolete (superceded or E-moot). As in "Jack was left feeling ?????? on realising his carefully constructed email was rendered obsolete by Tim's reply sent 5 minutes earlier". Something that combines 'scooped' with 'deflated' might fit the bill. It's probably adding to much to say that the feeling of deflatedness is caused in no small part by the knowledge that if less time had been spent on spelling, grammar and formatting, the work could have been sent/published whilst still relevant. UPDATE 4/4/14: Got to say that "Ninja'd" comes closest to what I'm after. It combines the notion that I was beaten by someone with superior speed with the feeling of being phyiscally assaulted. If this does have a basis in internet culture then all the better. Nuts to the scientists. "Ninja'd" also addresses the 'too much time spent on formatting etc.' requirement since it suggests whoever Ninja'd me was possible more efficient or focussed. Really enjoying this SE site - thanks everyone.


Examples of using "dead" to mean directly

I'm looking for more examples that use "dead" to mean directly. Some I already have include: 1.) "It's dead ahead. You can't miss it." 2.) I looked him dead in the eye. Or perhaps to mean exact/exactly: 3.) "Dead on! Absolutely correct!" 4.) This town is the dead center of the country.


Verb to refer to people yelling "wooh!"

I'm looking for a verb which refers to the sound that people make when they are excited. The typical "wooh." At first I thought it was called **wooing/wooed**. But then I checked the Free Dictionary: > woo (w) v. wooed, woo·ing, woos v.tr. 1\. To seek the affection of with > intent to romance. 2\. a. To seek to achieve; try to gain. b. To tempt or > invite. 3\. To entreat, solicit, or importune. v.intr. To court a woman And realized it was not. What's the correct word?


Is there a feminine equivalent to the adjective "avuncular"?

My brief researches only bring up the word "auntlike" to render the feminine equivalent of avuncular. Surely, though, and given the etymology of "aunt" [ < Latin _amita_ -father's sister, old feminine past participle of _amāre_ to love, i.e., beloved ], there must be a more lyrical word to hand.


Is "chill" out of place to say to someone after a not so particularly good exam?

I am not a native speaker of English. Now, this was the conversation: > A: How was today's exam? > > B: It was just okay. > > A: Well, you've got 2 more, right? You'll do well in those. Now when you say > "okay" I believe yesterday's wasn't bad either. Anyways, _chill_. Good luck > with your next exam. Now, is the usage of _chill_ appropriate in context? Also, how acceptable is the reply by A in terms of selection of words (again keeping in mind the context)?


Etymology of "housework" and "homework"

In American English (perhaps British as well), "housework" and "homework" have different meanings. "Housework" refers to working around the house, such as dusting, vacuuming, etc., whereas "homework" refers to doing some school assignments at home, after school is out. Homework can be completed outside the home, such as in a library. In order to do housework, however, one must be at one's house. How and when did two words which seem so similar at first glance gain such different meanings?


"Between" or "among"?

Is it correct to use _between_ or _among_ in the following sentence? Plus, should it be _no offset_ or _no offsets_? > In the current application, it is assumed that the origins of the lasers > have no **offset** (s) **between** (among) them. It should be pointed out that there are more than two lasers.


Which saying is correct?

I've been having a small argument with a family member. She insists "It's no skin off my teeth" is the correct saying, though I've only heard "It's no skin off my nose" before. Which saying is more "correct" than the other? By this, I mean which came first, which is more commonly used, and which is more acceptable to use.


Other analogies similar to "flu and "influenza"

Medically speaking, _flu_ is a derivative of _influenza_ ; but in common usage _flu_ includes colds and other flu-like symptoms. _Influenza_ is a condition caused by specific viruses. While colds are also caused by a virus, the viruses are different and distinct and produce different though similar symptoms. I want to find another example of words that describe specific as well as global situations/conditions that are used interchangeably by the public yet have distinct technical differences.


In the blink of an eye

I wanted to say - time flies very fast with the usage of the idiom "in the blink of an eye". The sentence goes like this - Time flies like in the blink of an eye. Is this the correct usage of the idiom?


Only then or then only?

I am not a native speaker. I have seen people at my place uses similar kinds of sentences interchangeably. > If he comes, **only then** I will go. > > If he comes, **then only** I will go. Which of these sentences is correct or appropriate if the desired meaning is that _his coming is the required condition,_ not that _a single person (me) will go_?


Past perfect in Crime and Punishment

I've just started reading the English translation of Crime And Punishment, and come across the following sentences where the usage of past perfect tense has confused me: He was so badly dressed that even a man accustomed to shabbiness would have been ashamed to be seen in the street in such rags. In that quarter of the town, however, scarcely any shortcoming in dress would have created surprise. Owing to the proximity of the Hay Market, the number of establishment of bad character, the preponderance of trading and working class population crowded in these streets and alleys in the heart of Petersburg, types so various were to be seen in the streets that no figure, however queer, would have caused surprise. The use of past perfect appears in each of the three sentences. In all of them, for me, "would" instead of "would have" seems to be clearer. "Would have" leads me to read them through a subjunctive or a speculative mood, which I don't see them should imply, according to the scene being described. Or they do imply something that I've missed? Could you guys share your opinions. Thanks.


What terms and expressions can be used in English to show one's love to his/her girlfriend/boyfriend?

I know in every language there are a lot of ways and cute names to address your girlfriend or your boyfriend to show you love her/him. The names can be creative for any couple. As Andy mentions these names are called terms of endearment. These are some very ordinary I know for examples: > Come here, **sweetheart**. > > Relax **baby** , we're on holiday! > > Look, **darling** , there's Mary. What else can be used to address your girlfriend/boyfriend?


Need some good video tutorials

Can you guys suggest me some good easy to understand English learning video tutorials to download?


Comma or "that"

A sentence reads: > Keep in mind the offer ends at the end of the month. Should there be a comma after "mind," or a "that" inserted between "mind" and "the"? Or is it correct the way it is written? And what is the reasoning/rule? Many thanks!


What words should I use in replacement of lazy

Say you're back home from hiking, feel tired and just suddenly don't want to do anything. What word could I use? > I'm pretty **__** now. The first word that came to mind was _lazy_ but it's unlikely to be correct here.


probable word over-use in an introductory clause

> "So, first things first. Let's check out the . . .." In the above example, is the first clause redundant?


Is “It comes with a hitch” an idiom or a simple statement?

I noticed the phrase “ _It comes with a hitch_ ” in today’s (October 24) New York Times article, titled “Precious water: Empty fields fill farmers’ pocket,” followed by the lead copy: > “With water increasingly scarce in the West, a new program is allowing some > farmers to sell their allotment of it for whatever price they can find, but > _it comes with a hitch_.” From the context of the sentence, I understand “It comes with a hitch” means “It comes with a problem” or “It faces an obstacle.” I checked online dictionaries including Oxford, Cambridgie and Merriam- Webster, none of which registers the usage of “(It) comes with a hitch.” as an idiom associated with the word, “hitch.” But I found many examples of “Come with a hitch” being used, for example:   * Harry's' Trailers Come With a Hitch; Warners Forces Theaters to Run Double the Usual Film Previews. – Washington Post (Nov. 24, 2001)   * China’s high-speed rail record comes with a hitch. – Smart Planet (July 22)   * No Child Left Behind waiver comes with a hitch. – USA Today (Sept 26) Shoud I understand “Comes with a hitch” just as a plain statment, not a fixed or well-used pattern of the words, I mean, an idiom? Is that the reason why no dictionary registers this expression? If it isn't an idiom, which is a fixed word pattern, can I replace “(It) comes with a _hitch_ ” with “(It) comes with a _glitch_ or an " _obstacle_ ” or " _difficulty_ ," " _hardship,_ " whatever to purport the same meaning?


Why two different tenses in the report from Yahoo News?

> The Heart Attack Grill's owner Jon Basso tells ABC News that the woman is > currently recovering in the hospital. Basso told ABC that he himself has > eaten at least one single bypass burger each day since his restaurant first > opened seven years ago. The quote is from Yahoo News. Why have they used two different tenses in the two different insantances: tells ABC; told ABC?


Expression for desire to feel superior to others

I am looking for an expression which is somewhat of a merger of "any port in a storm" and "can't beat the ass so he/she beats the saddle" Examples of when you would use it include:   * UFC championships boasting about B or C actors/musicians/athletes in attendance as if it were a heavy weight boxing championship with A list actors.   * Relatively rich members of community (ie. 1 million dollars) being pointed out at local mall as if they were billionaires.   * Foreign celebrities acting like divas at family events.   * A doctor claiming that a lawyer is not that educated.   * A lawyer claiming that an accountant is not that educated.   * A accountant claiming that a real estate agent is not that educated.   * Senators would look down on the plebs the same way the imperial family would look down on them. **EDIT:** I got several complaints that this question is too vague, so allow my to be more specific: What is at least one expression one can use to describe a member of society's ability/desire to emulate the actions of other members of society which are of higher status/standing/worth/fame. One example would be a conservative person, hypothetically, looking down on homosexuals because they perceive them to be inferior. Those homosexuals would then, hypothetically, look down on transvestites because they perceive them to be inferior. Is there an expression to describe this desire to live in one's own universe and be blissfully unaware of the fact that there are many other people who are, by some arbitrary definition, better than one's self? **EDIT:** Here is an example exchange between two friends to illustrate what I am looking for   * Bob: Hey, do you remember that fat guy/ugly girl Jack/Jill?   * Bill: Ya   * Bob: Well he/she wouldn't stop talking about how fat/ugly John/Jane was. I realize John/Jane is fatter/uglier than Jack/Jill, but c'mon man!?!?   * Bill: Well, I suppose even dead rats need truckloads of tampon factories. What would be an appropriate expression to put in place of " _even dead rats need truckloads of tampon factories_ " to illustrate the fact that everyone dumps on someone else?


What situation do you use ‘if I need persuading’ in?

I can understand _need persuading_ virtually means _need to be persuaded_ , but once it’s implanted in a sentence as the form of “if I need persuading”, I can’t figure out what the speaker is saying. In the following citation, it seems that Harry doesn’t conclude his sentence after _if I need persuading_. Because of this, I can understand even less. So I tried searching for other examples on the Net, but I could find few examples and it’s difficult for me to understand their meanings clearly. I’d be happy if you could help me. (Harry and Myrtle are hearing a chorus of a magical egg and trying to solve the mystery of the lyrics. Harry has to be under water when he hears the song.) (the egg’s song) > "Come seek us where our voices sound, > > We cannot sing above the ground, > > And while you're searching, ponder this: > > We've taken what you'll sorely miss, > > An hour long you'll have to look, > > And recover what we took, > > But past an hour - the prospect's black > > Too late, it's gone, it won't come back." > > ”Hear it?” said Myrtle. ”Yeah… ‘Come seek us where our voices sound …’ and > if I need persuading … hang on, I need to listen again….” (He sank back > again in the water.)( _Harry Potter 4_ [US Version]: p.463) _I have no idea. What is he trying to say?_ (From Google search) > Q: How can I persuade my mum to get me a dog? > > A: If your mom needs persuading she does not want a dog. I am a mom of 4 > children and 2 dogs and if I need persuading over anything the answer is ‘I > don't want it’. _I feel it roughly means 'absolutely'. The same goes for 'if your mom needs persuading', I suppose. 'Need' might mean 'strongly want' and the mother has a strong desire to get her son a dog (she wants to be persuaded by her son) but the situation prevents it completely._ EDIT: adding the egg’s song to the citation.


Word for "number of times a value is copied"

I am looking for a single word for "the number of times a value is copied". **Context** : My company makes software for plant breeders. Breeders do observations on plants and when they create a new generation of plants, e.g. by crossings, they copy observation values to this new generation. Of course, when this is done several times, the values become less reliable because of genetic changes. So we want to show a table with values and a column with this "number of times a value is copied" (to a new generation) as a short header.


Opposite prefix to 'de'

Given a word, say `deregulate`, is there a prefix to denote the opposite, rather than simply saying `regulate`? It seems fairly illogical to have one but I was wondering if something existed.


He remained cool as a cucumber

Why do we use _cucumber_ to describe the attitude of a person who is able to control his/her temper in front of a difficult event?


A word for paying attention to detail

Looking for a word that describes "Paying attention to the smallest details, though they might not matter". Starts with the letter "P"


Plural or singular meaning of the word "Filter" in a phrase "Filter updates"

I would like to know if the phrase: "Filter updates" means "updates of filters" or "updates of 1 filter". So can this phrase "Filter updates" be used in plural meaning, so to say? Instead of saying "updates of filters".


"I" instead of "We"

In Toronto, when you ask for something in a store and they don't have it, the person you ask will usually respond "I don't have it". Is this something related to the English language itself that I don't understand, or it is just the local culture? I would expect "We don't have it" or "The store doesn't have" or any other form, but not "I don't have it". Or maybe it is normal to native speakers? Not only in Toronto, in Niagara Falls, in a restaurant or cafe, you'll hear "I don't have it" very often. And addressing the comments, not from the owner or the only worker.


What's the correct plural form of "premise"?

Someone criticized me for using the word "premises" to denote a set of assumed "propositions", due to its connotation with houses and buildings. Is that correct? If so, what should be the proper plural form of "premise"?


"Fetch some water in a quiver" or "Get some water in a quiver"?

What is the most effective and correct way to use the sentences? 1) He requested his friend to **fetch some water in a quiver**. 2) He requested his friend to **get some water in a quiver**. Is there any similarity in both two sentences? or they are different in their use?


What does "Oh my Lanta" mean?

I've heard someone who considers himself to be a "gangster" say "Oh my Lanta". I looked up this phrase, and apparently "Mylanta" is stomach medication, and it's a replacement for "Oh my God", so you won't take the Lord's name in vain. However, this definition _really_ doesn't fit. Is there another meaning for "Oh my Lanta"?


A sentence from Joyce ("The Dead" in Dubliners, not Ulysses)

The following sentence from James Joyce's "The Dead" is giving me trouble (as in, I can't seem to parse it in my head). > He set to his supper and took no part in the conversation with which the > table covered Lily's removal of the plates. When "with which" (or "in which" or "for which", etc.) is used, my understanding is that there must be something that another thing is _with_. For instance, in "The example with which I am concerned is _X_ ", the word "example" is _with_ the example _X_. However, in Joyce's sentence I cannot tell _with what_ the "conversation" is. "[T]he table covered Lily's removal of the plates" isn't a noun phrase(?), which I think is causing the trouble in my understanding. My guess is that "conversation" is _with_ "Lily's removal of the plates", but I still can't seem to fully parse the sentence. So my question is: Is the above sentence grammatical? Could it be a regional variation in phrasing (Joyce was Irish; I live in the US)?


Where does "I'll go he" come from, and is there more to the phrase?

I understand the meaning of the saying "I'll go he", but does anyone know where it comes from? The researcher here seems to think that there is a couple of words left off.


What is the difference between "noun", "proper noun", and "name"?

Do _noun_ and _name_ carry a different meaning?   If there are any differences, are those differences specific to a context?


Usage of "track down"

I recently read (in a website) the following sentence. (I replaced the usernames with _placeholders_.) > [username1], if this is still happening, there is a good chance your IP got > blocked due to failed logins. Post the IP here and track down [username2] or > [username3].   * What does "track down" mean, in that sentence?    * Is "track down" used with that meaning in specific contexts, or is it largely understood to mean that? For example, if I am in a room together somebody else, and I say "Track down Michael." does the other person understand what I mean?


Correct usage of "in that"

I've heard _in that_ used as a synonym for _because_ , but I don't think that this is semantically correct in all cases. > That car is nice, **in that** it is blue. This sentence generally makes sense to me, but it also sounds funny. But I don't know enough of the technicalities of English to diagnose the problem. It's hard to research this because I don't know what the correct part-of- speech term is for _in that_. I want to call it a _phrase_ but I think some of you will cringe if I do this. Can someone give examples of when and when not to use _in that_ , or point to a resource that can explain it?


"Supreme court" vs. "highest court"

I just read an article about aided suicide on Toronto Star which mentioned _B.C. supreme court_ and _Canada's highest court_. Do _supreme court_ and _highest court_ mean the same thing? The different modifiers ( _B.C._ and _Canada_ ) preceding them just add to the difficulty of distinguishing them. If so, why didn't the author keep it consistent by using the same term?


Usage of "do" in "why do I want to do something"

Phrase: > Maybe you'll ask why do I want to lift my keyboard off my desk. Question: Microsoft Word says that I should remove the "do". Why is that? I think the "do" should stay there.


Is "hooray" generally considered to be onomatopoeic?

Is this word onomatopoeic, just an interjection, both, something else?


Problem with two abstract noun usages describe a perfume

For every Casanova, here is an eau de parfum inviting intense pleasure, an amber fern mixing fine **wooded tunes** and **touches** of lemony freshness, sublimed by the elegance of lavender. Warmed with heady spices and colored by sweet fruits. amber fern is kind of plants/spices used in this perfume. why it has **wooded tunes**? Why lemony freshness has **touches**. I know the meaning is quite abstract here, I will appreciate similar usage/examples to demonstrate the meaning. Thanks. Source: http://www.histoiresdeparfums.com/us/histoiresdeparfums/characters- masculine.php


Is there a word that describes words like 'freeware', 'shareware'?

I'm looking for a word that describes the way software is released. It could be freeware, shareware, donationware, commercial, etc.


"I ain't got no money"

I know the ultimate meaning of this is "I have no money." But why? If _ain't_ means _have not_ , then isn't it true that "I ain't got no money" would be read as "I have not got no money"? Can _I have not got [no money]_ be interpreted as double negative, and hence determining that "I have money", which is not the true meaning of such saying?


"Sally broke her leg" vs. "Sally has broken her leg"? How does switching the past simple with the present perfect affect meaning?

Earlier today I had a private lesson with an Italian student—intermediate level, who has been studying the present perfect vs. past simple tense. His teacher had given him an exercise where a list of Italian phrases had to be translated into English. One of the sentences was the following: > Hai sentito che Sally si è rotta una gamba? It looks deceivingly simple to translate (for a native speaker) but I found myself with five versions, all of which I am certain are idiomatic and grammatical.   1. _Have you heard that Sally broke her leg?_   2. _Have you heard that Sally's broken her leg?_   3. _Have you heard about Sally breaking her leg?_   4. _Did you hear that Sally broke her leg?_   5. _Did you hear that Sally's broken her leg?_ The actual moment when Sally broke her leg happened at a specific time in the past, hence the _past simple_ seems to me appropriate but we also say, _Sally's broken her leg_ to express an action that occurred in the past but whose consequences are still felt in the present so...   * Which sentence tells the reader that Sally's leg is still broken?    * Which tense is more appropriate; the present perfect, _Have you heard?_ Or the past simple _Did you hear_? Both sound acceptable to me. How is the meaning affected?   * Is it preferable for both verbs to be in the same tense? Why or why not?   * Ignoring the Italian translation and focussing on the five sentences, how would you interpret each one? Do they mean the same? * * * **EDIT** (updated September 1 2014)   Let me explain, more fully, why I posted this question. There was an Italian phrase which had to be translated (the first line in a short exchange) the rest of the dialogue was easy enough for my student and I to translate but he had difficulties with this first line. In the exchange we learn that Sally broke her leg while skiing. A: _Have you heard/Did you hear..._ etc.   B: _How did it happen?_   A: _She was skiing when she fell._ When I thought carefully about how the first sentence could be translated, I came up with five versions. I had a problem explaining to _myself_ why they all sounded equally valid to me, in fairness sentence number 3 sounded the weakest candidate to me because it seems that the news of Sally's accident is very recent and conveys greater intensity. As I tried to explain earlier, I was wondering how switching the past simple with the present perfect might change the meaning of the first line. If I say: **_Sally broke her leg_** , I might be thinking about the precise moment _when_ this accident occurred. The event is established in the past and cannot be repeated. If I say: **_Sally has broken her leg_** it is plausible that her leg is still broken, seeing as a broken leg takes about a month to heal, and I am concerned with the results of that action which are felt in the present i.e. Sally now has her leg in a plaster/She cannot walk properly/She is currently injured, etc. If the first verb is in the past simple, **Did you hear...?** does it affect how I write the rest of the sentence? Is **Have you heard...?** more colloquial? Finally, I am NOT asking about translation, nor how to use the _present perfect_ or the _past simple_.


Term for reference to ambient surroundings when creating a work?

Is there a term in English (or borrowed from other languages) that describes the moment wherein an author mentions what is happening whilst creating the work one is reading? As an example, consider the following verse in Bob Dylan's _Blind Willie McTell_ : _**I’m gazing out the window   Of the St. James Hotel_   And I know no one can sing the blues   Like Blind Willie McTell   ** My interpretation is that he is gazing out the window _when writing the lyric_ : an intimate moment that bring us even closer, and may describe the inspiration. Personally, I find that moment absolutely chilling. Is there a name for it?


What is the "œ" doing here?

In _The Wealth of Nations_ , the word economy appears frequently (as it should, being a book on economics). However, once (so far), it has been spelled _œconomy_. Upon researching the term, it's the archaic spelling of _economy_. Why would Adam Smith have used two spellings of _economy_? Are/were there slight distinctions between the meanings? As an aside, a Google Ngram search shows no usage of _œconomy_.


What does a "stray evidence" mean?

In the following paragraph: > This plot is a stray evidence of how Pearson correlation coefficient is > often incomputable and hence ineffective. What does the expression _"a stray evidence"_ mean? Could you give some more examples?


"I would like to inform you", or "I would to inform you"?

"I would like to inform you", or "I would to inform you". Which is better for a formal letter?


Compound adjective "free-molecule" vs. "free molecular"

I've been asked by a reviewer to change all occurrences of "free-molecule", which I use consistently throughout my manuscript, to "free-molecular". Typical usage examples: "particles colliding in the free-molecule regime", "calculations based on the free-molecule theory". My question is, which of the possible four combinations below is grammatically correct/incorrect and why, and which would you recommend to use (my personal preference is 1)? Are there any rules to guide the choice?   1. free-molecule   2. free molecule   3. free molecular   4. free-molecular


What's the correct word to complete this sentence?

Whilst doing my homework, I realized that I couldn't choose an answer for the following sentence problem: > But when household gadgets break down, ⸻ are carried out by 82 percent of > husbands. A. repairs   B. fixings   C. fittings   D. amenments I am sure that C and D are wrong. Is it A or B?


Subject–object agreement: which of these sentences is correct?

>   1. Corporations may not have a conscience, but they do have PR > departments. >   2. Corporations may not have consciences, but they do have PR departments. >   3. Corporations may not have a conscience, but they do have a PR > department. > #1 _sounds_ correct to my ear, but it's inconsistent. #2 and #3 are consistent, but both sound very awkward to me.


"Writ large", "Writ small", and others

I have seen this used with other words besides "large" and "small". What other words can be used? Can this structure be used more generally with other adjectives?


What type of variant is "protection" when compared to "protect"?

You have variations of **Protect** such as   * third-person singular simple present **protects**   * present participle **protecting**   * simple past and past participle **protected** So what would you call **protection**?


Why is it "gangster" rather than "gangsters"?

>   1. The suspect, along with his two younger siblings, became the most > notorious gangster in the district. >   2. The suspect, along with his two younger siblings, became the most > notorious gangsters in the district. > I know that grammatically, it should be _gangster_ and not _gangsters_ because phrases such as “along with”, “together with” and “as well as” introduce a parenthetical phrase and do not modify the subject, but still I find this usage confusing. To me, the three brothers became notorious gangsters not just one. Could anyone help provide more insight?


Should I use "in" or "at" in the following sentence?

> She talked about shoes all the time: [...] college, [...] parties, and even > [...] family reunions. Which one should I use in the sentence above? (should I also include _while_?)


Adverbs, prepositions, nouns, "home", and "about"

I'm confused about how the following sentences should be analyzed, in terms of which words are prepositions and adverbs, how the phrases break up, etc.:   1. She was going home.   2. She was home.   3. ~~She was at home.~~   4. She got home.   5. My height is six feet.   6. I am six feet.   7. I am about six feet.   8. He is my height.   9. He is about my height.   10. I saw a man my height yesterday.   11. I saw a man about my height yesterday. For instance, is it possible that _my height_ falls into different categories in #8 and #9? **EDIT:** Ok, now I have one answer from **Daniel δ** and a some requests for more specific questions.   * I'm most concerned about _home_ , _about_ , _six feet_ , and _my height_.   * Daniel δ says that _home_ is an adverb in #1, #2, and #4. I'm assuming this is just a special quirk that happens with _home_?   * I'm not convinced that _my height_ is always a noun phrase, or there's something I'm missing. In #8, if _my height_ is just a noun phrase, that would mean that _He_ , the subject, _is_ actually a height, but he's a person, not a height any other form of measurement (Same for _six feet_ in #6). Daniel δ suggests that #10 is short for "I saw a man who was my height yesterday", but something seems special about this construction. If _height_ is just a noun, then why does switching it for some other noun like _lawyer_ fail? We could say "He is a lawyer" but not "I saw a man a lawyer yesterday". But _my height_ does make sense as a noun in #9, since we can call _about_ a preposition that just takes _my height_ as part of a prepositional phrase...   * As **FumbleFingers** noted, #11 can be interpreted in at least two ways. I'm interested in the sense that fits the analogy #8:#9 :: #10:#11.


Expansion and pronunciation of "Mrs"

Wikipedia says it used to stand for _mistress_. But you don't read it as _mistress_ , do you? What is the pronunciation like? I think it would depend on the expansion.


Does "ever" apply to the future, or only the past?

As we hear in every commercial (ever?) > Our best price, _ever_. Your thoughts please. Putting aside advertising allowances, should "ever" here mean "all time: past present and future", or should this be interpreted as "yet" (past/present). In _advertising_ terms we must infer the latter (otherwise they'll contradict themselves next time they need a promotion), but from a _linguistics_ perspective: what is the correct interpretation here?


New Oxford American Dictionary describes "the" as an adjective

When I look at the definition given from the Mac OS X Dictionary (I have set American English as interface language, and the dictionary used is then the _New Oxford American Dictionary_ ), I read: > the /ði/ /ð(ə)/ /ði/ [called the definite article]   >  adjective   >  1\. denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or assumed to > be common knowledge: _what's the matter?_ | _call the doctor_ | _the phone > rang_. Compare with _a_.   >  • used to refer to a person, place, or thing that is unique: _the Queen_ | > _the Mona Lisa_ | _the Nile_.   >  • informal denoting a disease or affliction: _I've got the flu_.   >  • (with a unit of time) the present; the current: _dish of the day_ | _man > of the moment_.   >  • informal used instead of a possessive to refer to someone with whom the > speaker or person addressed is associated: _I'm meeting the boss_ | _how's > the family?_   >  • used with a surname to refer to a family or married couple: _the Johnsons > were not wealthy_.   >  • used before the surname of the chief of a Scottish or Irish clan: _the > O'Donoghue_. I have never thought of an article as adjective.   Is normally an article defined as adjective?


How should I ask for a bill in a restaurant politely?

I used to say _check please_ , but my English teacher said that it's wrong, and the proper way is to say something like _bill please._ What's the truth?


The expression 'not that bad of a'

In an essay, a friend used the expression: > It wasn't that bad **of an** idea. I think that it would be preferable to write > It wasn't that bad **an** idea However, I can't explain why.


The use of "random" to mean "arbitrary", "unidentified", "unknown", etc

I'm seeing the use of "random" instead of "arbitrary", etc., with increasing frequency. To me, "random" has a specific meaning and is not synonymous with these other words. Is it correct to use it in this way?


Any idiom in English for a husband who has been betrayed by his wife?

Is there any idiom in English for a husband who has been betrayed by his wife? (I mean she slept and is occasionally still sleeping with her lover). Or maybe not an idiomatic expression, but just one word that is commonly used for such a person?


Is there any term in English for a person who starts a debate, but once he is presented some valid arguments or facts, he quickly retreats?

Is there any term in English for a person who starts a debate, but once he is presented some valid arguments and facts that he cannot rebut, he quickly retreats saying that the further debate is meaningless because his opponents are just stupid, stubborn, dull, etc. (An idiom describing such an action is also welcome)


Either Tom or Sam will give their book. Is the previous sentence grammatically flawed ? If yes, how do we remove the flaw?

Either Tom or Sam will give their book.


How to pronounce "favicon"?

Yesterday my boss called our design person on the phone and asked her about designing a / _fave-eye-con_ /. She asked him to repeat it a couple of times, and then finally (after a convoluted explanation about favorites and icons), the lightbulb came on and she said, "Oh! you want a / _fav-ee-can_ /!" Now, presumably the design person is the one more likely to have encountered the accepted pronunciation of **_favicon_** \- she gets to actually make the things, while the rest of us only notice them if they're missing. However, / _fav-ee-can_ / just... doesn't work for me. Is there any sort of consensus on how this word ought to be pronounced?


Is this usage of "whose" correct?

Is the following phrase (grammatically) correct? > Bill Gates, whose company is very rich, is famous. (I couldn't come up with a better context-free sample)


Why is Beowulf considered one of the most important works in the history of the English language?

Apologies if this is too subjective of a question. I'm currently studying Beowulf. I've seen it referred to as one of the, if not the first, most influential works of Anglo-Saxon literature. Some ventured so far as to refer to it as one of the most influential works in the history of the English language. What qualities of Beowulf make it so important?


"The Moving Finger writes even in Heaven."

Following is an extract from a Rabindranath Tagore story called, "A Wrong Man in Workers' Paradise". I need help in understanding the contextual meaning of a line in it. The story is about a man who never did any useful work and lived a leisurely life devoid of all care. > Some boys seldom ply their books and yet pass their tests. A similar thing > happened to this man. He spent his earth life in useless work and yet after > his death, the gates of Heaven opened wide for him. > > But, **the Moving Finger writes even in Heaven**. So, it came to pass that > the aerial messenger who took charge of the man, made a mistake and found > him a place in Workers' Paradise. > > In this Paradise you find everything except leisure. Upon a quick search over the Internet I found this explanation to the phrase. However, I am not sure – a) what 'Moving Finger' means here   b) what figure of speech is used   c) what is the contextual meaning of the whole phrase


"I am going to bed" vs. "I will be going to bed"

What is the difference between saying the following? > I am going to bed in a few minutes. > > I will be going to bed in a few minutes. Or > I will be getting off here. Or, I guess, I will be getting off here. See > you. > > I am getting off here. Or, I guess, I am getting off here. See you. Which one seems more fluent and natural?


Usage of 'to' with ' All that '

Which one of the following statements is grammatically correct?   1. All that act would do is speed up the process of bringing justice to the victims   2. All that act would do is **to** speed up the process of bringing justice to the victims If both are grammatically sound, please explain the difference between them. Cheers


Do Americans pronounce "Ellen" and "Alan" in the same way? I am especially concerned with the first vowel. EDIT: Here is a quote that may be a case in point: > Being a Brit also, the names "Ellen" and "Alan" tend to sound the same when > spoken with an American tongue. It was just unfortunate that the child was > very tom boyish and had an ambiguous sounding name Context: discussion on why they chose a boy-looking girl for the movie "Fatal Attraction" Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093010/board/thread/186160978?d=186229310&p=1#186229310


Close to home = quite accurate?

Citing Wikipedia: > Many actuaries were unhappy with the stereotypical portrayals of these > actuaries as unhappy, math-obsessed and socially inept people; others have > claimed that the portrayals are **close to home** , if a bit exaggerated. Does this mean "rather accurate"? This does not seem to match the definition found in The American Heritage® Dictionary: > So as to affect one's feelings or interests Nor the definition in Wiktionary: > Affecting people close to, or within, ones family circle. Is Wikipedia misusing the term?   Or are those definitions wrong?   Or am I misunderstanding these definitions?


"In the comfort of" or "at the comfort of"?

Which sentence is correct? > Buy tickets _in_ the comfort of your home or > Buy tickets _at_ the comfort of your home I saw the first one written on a hoarding but I feel the second one is more acceptable. Please explain which one is correct and why.


The confusion you suffer when tasting something familiar but unexpected

My boss today was provided with a cup of coffee when she was expecting tea. I find the brain has a pre-expectation of taste and, when confronted with an unexpected but familiar taste, struggles for a moment to process this. Is this a concept anyone is familiar with and, if so, is anyone aware of a term for it?


Word repetition when a word is part of more words

> The output consists of the category bar and the navigation bar. How do I prevent the word repetition of _bar_ in the English language?   Is it the following? > The output consists of the category and the navigation bar.


What does "This is just mean" mean?

Generally, I get to see that such sentences are used to express disgust or anger and likewise feelings. But what is the actual meaning? I am not sure about the actual spelling of the word also. Example: You are mean!


Ambiguity of "or"

I have these two sentences: >   * We can get ammonia by treating ammonium salts with **caustic soda or > sodium hydroxide.** >   * We can get ammonia by treating ammonium salts with **lime water or > calcium hydroxide.** > Caustic soda is the common name of sodium hydroxide, while lime water and calcium hydroxide are two different substances. Both the sentences are grammatically and scientifically correct, but they obviously mean quite different things. In this particular case, I happen to know how to parse either sentence, but what if I get a situation where I cannot recognise whether the first term is a synonym for the second, or a different term entirely? I did not come up with this question myself, the first sentence is actually given in the standard NCERT textbook of INDIA. Nearly 1.5 million students are studying using this book. Is there a mistake in our book?


Is "less bad" correct usage of the language?

If an outcome is not as bad as the alternative. Is it correct to use "less bad" to conclude a comparison? > A: I've got bad news, her brother was in a car accident. > > B: Is he hurt? > > A: No, but the car is in bad shape. > > B: Less bad. edit @RegDwigнt The car being broken is less bad/worse than the possibility of her brother having gotten himself hurt or dying. In Portuguese we say "less bad" as a conclusion and I wonder if it applies to English.


What does this phrase mean?

> You must not lament in conversation with your savior over the trifles of an > average boy. what does it mean?


Why is it “a defeated Napoleon, not “the defeated Napoleon” who rode off the battlefield and into exile?

I noticed an infinite article; ‘a’ was used before ‘defeated Napoleon’ in the following sentence of Jeffery Archer’s novel, "Fales Impression" : “General Sir Harry Wentworth sat at the right hand of the Iron Duke that night, and was commanding his left flank when _a defeated Napoleon_ rode off the battlefield and into exile." I’m curious to know why it should be “a defeated Napoleon,” not “the defeated Napoleon” or simply “defeated Napoleon.” Isn’t it only one Napoleon who was defeated the battle and exiled (to St. Helena). It looks like as though there were many (defeated) Napoleons who were exiled. It’s always headache for me to handle articles as we Japanese (I think Chinese too) don’t have article as the basic part of speeches in our language system. I’ve studied it on English grammar text books at school, but have never reached full understanding of the usage of articles, because we don’t have that practice. Is there any special knack to master how to use articles?


What's the antonym of "stage name"?

What's the term for the name you were given when you were born as opposed to the one you changed to for some reason? Real name? Given name? Birth name?


Is the plural "bosoms" an acceptable word? Or is it always "bosom"?

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bosom I found recently that even an elderly educated woman was referring to her bosom in the plural, as her bosoms. Please settle my discomfort finally, and clarify if this can be used as a plural word. I thought it was just English deprived younger kids who used "Bosoms" in this manner. :-))


What is a word for someone who intentionally ignores other people a lot?

I always used to think the word was _ignorant_ but it has turned out that I am wrong.


syllabification

I am learning how to divide syllables. I have to divide hap-py because there are two of the same consonant. Why are the two _s_ letters in the word _professor_ not divided? Doesn't the same rule apply here?


Word for a yes/no question that's more to elicit a longer response

I'm looking for a word or idiomatic phrase to describe a question that can be answered by a "yes" or "no", but has a higher probability of getting a more open-ended response. Indeed, without the "yes/no" requirement I'd describe what I'm looking for as an "open ended question", but the possibility to answer "yes/no" is key here. An example question would be: > Do you feel remorse for your affiliations with the Nazi party? Although it doesn't have to be a loaded question, just something which you are reasonably sure is going to get the responder talking beyond the y/n


Word for list of things one does not want

What's a word that means a list of things I don't want? An _anti-wishlist_?


Is "home goal" an eggcorn of "own goal"?

I used to think when a player put the ball in his own net it was called a _home goal_ because that's what the older kids in school called it. Then at some point I noticed that TV commentators were actually saying _own goal_ and it was abbreviated _o.g._ on the score sheet. It's obvious to even the most casual football fan that a _home goal_ is one scored by a team on their home ground but the erroneous usage is quite common, for example in this newspaper headline: > Piers Morgan's scores home goal as Thierry Henry comment leads to Irish > heritage claim [sic] So, does _home goal_ qualify as an eggcorn?


"A Smith & Wesson beats a straight flush"

I just came across (pdf) this expression: > A Smith & Wesson beats a straight flush   1. What does it mean?   Is it the idea of winning via unlawful means when losing?   2. Is it a common expression?


Using the comma as a list of things vs two related thoughts

Recently I sent a mail wishing a friend well. I ended it with the following sentence. > Please take care, and call me if you need anything. The comma was included because the two were separate thoughts with the latter as an add-on to the former. Consider it without the comma. > Please take care and call me if you need anything. While grammatically correct, it sounds like a to-do list--please do the following things: (1) Take care, (2) Call me if you need anything. Would you agree? I see this cropping up in a lot of writing here and there. > I phoned my wife, and slept for 2 hours seems to be a description of the list of things I did this afternoon, while > I phoned my wife and slept for 2 hours sounds like I'm reporting a very boring conversation.


"To a fare-thee-well" for "perfectly well" in AE

Does the idiom "to a fare-thee-well" have any currency in modern day AE speech and writing, or does it have sort of an old fashioned feel to it? > http://www.thefreedictionary.com/fare-thee-well If indeed it's in fairly common use, is it appropriate for whatever register? Also --in expressions of suitability or appearance -- would it sound like as good an option as "like a charm", "like a glove", "a merveille", and "perfectly well"? Consider the following examples: > This jacket fits you to a fare-thee-well. source>/ > > That's a terrific looking T-shirt. It fits you to a fare-thee-well. source>/ > > And she was dressed to please in a below-the-knee filmy skirt and a v-necked > blouse that fit her to a fare-thee-well. source>/ > > They're fully lined, watch pocketed, and will fit you to a fare-thee-well. > source>/ > > Neat nylon pull-ons knit to fit you to a fare-thee-well. source>/ > > Godberg's description fits him to a fare thee well. source>/ > > Cat Ballou (genial drunk) was quite a nice picture in his tight jeans, which > fit him to a fare-thee-well. source>/ > > They are beautiful, and fit me to a fare-thee-well. source>/ > > Suits me to a fare-thee-well! source>/ > > ...off his triumphant role in the enchanting Moonlighy Kingdom, is back to > his macho, smirking ways and the role suits him to a fare thee well. > source>/


Is “release one’s butt cheeks” a euphemism?

It was interesting to learn the English language (any language would be) is spoken or heard differently by the person in the following sentence of Tina Fey’s “Bossypants,” describing the scene in which Tina Fey met Sylvester Stallone for the first time in the rehearsal, and ventured to ask him to enunciate his speech more in a Saturday Night Live show: > “He looked at me. I muttered, “In the Rita sketch, you were a little hard to > understand. Can you just enunciate a little more?” Stallone was unfazed. > “Youcannunnastanme? Youneeme nanaunciate maw? Okey.” He couldn’t have been > more easygoing about it. I went back outside and **manually released my butt > cheeks**.” – ibid Page122 However, I don’t understand what the ending phrase means. I know “butt cheeks.” But what does “manually release one’s butt cheeks” insinuate? As a non-native English speaker, I cannot judge whether this is a normal, creative, or vulgar expression. Is this a passable expression to describe an action to release oneself from mental pressure, or just the author’s idiosyncratic phrasing?