macabre
“Macabre” is a French-derived word which in its original language has the final “ruh” sound lightly pronounced. Those who know this are likely to scorn those who pronounce the word “muh-COB.” But this latter pronunciation is very popular and blessed by some American dictionaries, and those who prefer it sometimes view the French-derived pronunciation as pretentious. It’s up to you whether you want to risk being considered ignorant or snooty.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
low and behold/lo and behold: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, October 30, 2012
low and behold/lo and behold
The “lo” is a sort of poetic synonym for “behold.” Don’t substitute the nonsensical “low.”
The “lo” is a sort of poetic synonym for “behold.” Don’t substitute the nonsensical “low.”
Monday, October 29, 2012
freshman/freshmen: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, October 29, 2012
freshman/freshmen
“Freshman” is the singular noun: “Birgitta is a freshman at Yale.” “Freshmen” is the plural: “Patricia and Patrick are freshmen at Stanford.” But the adjective is always singular: “Megan had an interesting freshman seminar on Romanesque architecture at Sarah Lawrence.”
“Freshman” is the singular noun: “Birgitta is a freshman at Yale.” “Freshmen” is the plural: “Patricia and Patrick are freshmen at Stanford.” But the adjective is always singular: “Megan had an interesting freshman seminar on Romanesque architecture at Sarah Lawrence.”
Sunday, October 28, 2012
progress/pass: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, October 28, 2012
progress/pass
Events may progress in time, but time itself does not progress—it just passes.
Events may progress in time, but time itself does not progress—it just passes.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
idea/ideal: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, October 27, 2012
idea/ideal
Any thought can be an idea, but only the best ideas worth pursuing are ideals.
Any thought can be an idea, but only the best ideas worth pursuing are ideals.
Friday, October 26, 2012
service/serve: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, October 26, 2012
service/serve
A mechanic services your car and a stallion services a mare, but most of the time when you want to talk about the goods or services you supply, the word you want is “serve”: “Our firm serves the hotel industry.”
A mechanic services your car and a stallion services a mare, but most of the time when you want to talk about the goods or services you supply, the word you want is “serve”: “Our firm serves the hotel industry.”
Thursday, October 25, 2012
proof is in the pudding/proof of the pudding is in the eating: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, October 25, 2012
proof is in the pudding/proof of the pudding is in the eating
This common truncated version of an old saying conjures up visions of poking around in your dessert looking for prizes, but “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” means that you don’t really know that your dessert has come out right until you taste it.
This common truncated version of an old saying conjures up visions of poking around in your dessert looking for prizes, but “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” means that you don’t really know that your dessert has come out right until you taste it.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
mono e mono/mano a mano: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, October 24, 2012
mono e mono/mano a mano
“Mono e mono” is an error caused by mishearing the Spanish expression mano a mano which means not “man-to-man” but “hand-to-hand,” as in hand-to-hand combat: one on one.
“Mono e mono” is an error caused by mishearing the Spanish expression mano a mano which means not “man-to-man” but “hand-to-hand,” as in hand-to-hand combat: one on one.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
being that/because: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, October 23, 2012
being that/because
Using “being that” to mean “because” is nonstandard, as in “Being that the bank robber was fairly experienced, it was surprising that he showed the teller his ID card when she asked for it.” “Being as how” is even worse. If “because” or “since” are too simple for your taste, you could use “given that” or “in that” instead.
Using “being that” to mean “because” is nonstandard, as in “Being that the bank robber was fairly experienced, it was surprising that he showed the teller his ID card when she asked for it.” “Being as how” is even worse. If “because” or “since” are too simple for your taste, you could use “given that” or “in that” instead.
Monday, October 22, 2012
long story short/to make a long story short: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, October 22, 2012
long story short/to make a long story short
The traditional expression “to make (or cut) a long story short” is now commonly abbreviated by omitting the first phrase: “Long story short, I missed my plane.” Although there’s a certain appeal to the notion of abbreviating an expression about abbreviation, the shorter form sounds odd to people not used to it.
The traditional expression “to make (or cut) a long story short” is now commonly abbreviated by omitting the first phrase: “Long story short, I missed my plane.” Although there’s a certain appeal to the notion of abbreviating an expression about abbreviation, the shorter form sounds odd to people not used to it.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
framework/groundwork: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, October 21, 2012
framework/groundwork
You lay groundwork; you erect, build, or construct a framework.
You lay groundwork; you erect, build, or construct a framework.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
enquire/inquire: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, October 20, 2012
enquire/inquire
These are alternative spellings of the same word. “Enquire” is perhaps slightly more common in the UK, but either is acceptable in the US.
These are alternative spellings of the same word. “Enquire” is perhaps slightly more common in the UK, but either is acceptable in the US.
Friday, October 19, 2012
open/unlocked/unlatched: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, October 19, 2012
open/unlocked/unlatched
Many people refer to doors as being “open” when they mean to say they are merely unlocked. Telling people to leave a house open may mislead them into making the place more inviting to casual intruders than you intend if you really only want it to be unlocked. And you may unnecessarily alarm the driver if you report from the back seat of a car that one of the doors is open when you mean that it is merely unlatched.
Many people refer to doors as being “open” when they mean to say they are merely unlocked. Telling people to leave a house open may mislead them into making the place more inviting to casual intruders than you intend if you really only want it to be unlocked. And you may unnecessarily alarm the driver if you report from the back seat of a car that one of the doors is open when you mean that it is merely unlatched.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
input: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, October 18, 2012
input
Some people object to “input” as computer jargon that’s proliferated unjustifiably in the business world. Be aware that it’s not welcome in all settings; but whatever you do, don’t misspell it “imput.”
Some people object to “input” as computer jargon that’s proliferated unjustifiably in the business world. Be aware that it’s not welcome in all settings; but whatever you do, don’t misspell it “imput.”
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
chauvinist/male chauvinist, sexist: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, October 17, 2012
chauvinist/male chauvinist, sexist
Nicolas Chauvin of Rochefort became a laughingstock in Napoleon’s army for his exaggerated nationalism, and his name gave rise to the term “chauvinism,” which characterizes people who wildly overestimate the excellence and importance of their own countries while denigrating others. The word was then broadened to cover an exaggerated belief in the superiority of one’s own kind in other respects. Following this pattern, feminists in the 1970s invented the term “male chauvinist” to label people who considered women inferior to men. Unfortunately, this was the context in which many people first encountered “chauvinism” and not understanding that it had a broader meaning, dropped the “male,” thinking that “chauvinist” was a synonym for “sexist.” This misunderstanding is so widespread that only occasionally will you encounter someone who knows better, but in formal writing it is wise to avoid the abbreviated form in this restricted meaning. However, if you do intend the older meaning of the word, it’s also a good idea to make that clear from your context, for a great many of your readers will assume you are talking about sexism.
Nicolas Chauvin of Rochefort became a laughingstock in Napoleon’s army for his exaggerated nationalism, and his name gave rise to the term “chauvinism,” which characterizes people who wildly overestimate the excellence and importance of their own countries while denigrating others. The word was then broadened to cover an exaggerated belief in the superiority of one’s own kind in other respects. Following this pattern, feminists in the 1970s invented the term “male chauvinist” to label people who considered women inferior to men. Unfortunately, this was the context in which many people first encountered “chauvinism” and not understanding that it had a broader meaning, dropped the “male,” thinking that “chauvinist” was a synonym for “sexist.” This misunderstanding is so widespread that only occasionally will you encounter someone who knows better, but in formal writing it is wise to avoid the abbreviated form in this restricted meaning. However, if you do intend the older meaning of the word, it’s also a good idea to make that clear from your context, for a great many of your readers will assume you are talking about sexism.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
freshman/freshmen: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, October 29, 2012
freshman/freshmen
“Freshman” is the singular noun: “Birgitta is a freshman at Yale.” “Freshmen” is the plural: “Patricia and Patrick are freshmen at Stanford.” But the adjective is always singular: “Megan had an interesting freshman seminar on Romanesque architecture at Sarah Lawrence.”
“Freshman” is the singular noun: “Birgitta is a freshman at Yale.” “Freshmen” is the plural: “Patricia and Patrick are freshmen at Stanford.” But the adjective is always singular: “Megan had an interesting freshman seminar on Romanesque architecture at Sarah Lawrence.”
disrespect: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, October 16, 2012
disrespect
The hip-hop subculture has revived the use of “disrespect” as a verb. In the meaning “to have or show disrespect,” this usage has been long established, if unusual. However, the new street meaning of the term, ordinarily abbreviated to “dis,” is slightly but significantly different: to act disrespectfully or—more frequently—insultingly toward someone. In some neighborhoods “dissing” is defined as merely failing to show sufficient terror in the face of intimidation. In those neighborhoods, it is wise to know how the term is used; but an applicant for a job who complains about having been “disrespected” elsewhere is likely to incur further disrespect . . . and no job. Street slang has its uses, but this is one instance that has not become generally accepted.
The hip-hop subculture has revived the use of “disrespect” as a verb. In the meaning “to have or show disrespect,” this usage has been long established, if unusual. However, the new street meaning of the term, ordinarily abbreviated to “dis,” is slightly but significantly different: to act disrespectfully or—more frequently—insultingly toward someone. In some neighborhoods “dissing” is defined as merely failing to show sufficient terror in the face of intimidation. In those neighborhoods, it is wise to know how the term is used; but an applicant for a job who complains about having been “disrespected” elsewhere is likely to incur further disrespect . . . and no job. Street slang has its uses, but this is one instance that has not become generally accepted.
Monday, October 15, 2012
epigram/epigraph/epitaph/epithet: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, October 15, 2012
epigram/epigraph/epitaph/epithet
An epigram is a pithy saying, usually humorous. Mark Twain was responsible for many striking, mostly cynical epigrams, such as “Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest.” (Unfortunately, he was also responsible for an even more famous one that has been confusing people ever since: “Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” It’s true that the moon keeps one side away from the earth, but—if you don’t count the faint glow reflected from the earth—it is not any darker than the side that faces us. In fact, over time, the side facing us is darkened slightly more often because it is occasionally eclipsed by the shadow of the earth.)
An epigraph is a brief quotation used to introduce a piece of writing or the inscription on a statue or building.
An epitaph is the inscription on a tombstone or some other tribute to a dead person.
In literature, an epithet is a term that replaces or is added to the name of a person, like “clear-eyed Athena,” in which “clear-eyed” is the epithet. You are more likely to encounter the term in its negative sense, as a term of insult or abuse: “The shoplifter hurled epithets at the guard who had arrested her.”
An epigram is a pithy saying, usually humorous. Mark Twain was responsible for many striking, mostly cynical epigrams, such as “Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest.” (Unfortunately, he was also responsible for an even more famous one that has been confusing people ever since: “Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” It’s true that the moon keeps one side away from the earth, but—if you don’t count the faint glow reflected from the earth—it is not any darker than the side that faces us. In fact, over time, the side facing us is darkened slightly more often because it is occasionally eclipsed by the shadow of the earth.)
An epigraph is a brief quotation used to introduce a piece of writing or the inscription on a statue or building.
An epitaph is the inscription on a tombstone or some other tribute to a dead person.
In literature, an epithet is a term that replaces or is added to the name of a person, like “clear-eyed Athena,” in which “clear-eyed” is the epithet. You are more likely to encounter the term in its negative sense, as a term of insult or abuse: “The shoplifter hurled epithets at the guard who had arrested her.”
Sunday, October 14, 2012
every since/ever since: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, October 14, 2012
every since/ever since
The expression is not “every since” but “ever since.”
The expression is not “every since” but “ever since.”
Saturday, October 13, 2012
n’/’n’: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, October 13, 2012
n’/’n’
In your restaurant’s ad for “Big ’n’ Juicy Burgers,” remember that the apostrophes substitute for both omitted letters in “and”—the A and the D—so strictly speaking it’s not enough to use just one, as in “Big n’ Juicy.”
By so doing, you’ll improve on the usage of McDonald’s, which has actually created the registered trademark “Big N’ Tasty.”
In your restaurant’s ad for “Big ’n’ Juicy Burgers,” remember that the apostrophes substitute for both omitted letters in “and”—the A and the D—so strictly speaking it’s not enough to use just one, as in “Big n’ Juicy.”
By so doing, you’ll improve on the usage of McDonald’s, which has actually created the registered trademark “Big N’ Tasty.”
Friday, October 12, 2012
hearing-impaired/deaf: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, October 12, 2012
hearing-impaired/deaf
“Hearing-impaired” is not an all-purpose substitute for “deaf” since it strongly implies some residual ability to hear.
“Hearing-impaired” is not an all-purpose substitute for “deaf” since it strongly implies some residual ability to hear.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
motherload/mother lode: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, October 11, 2012
motherload/mother lode
Although you may dig a load of ore out of a mother lode, the spelling “motherload” is a mistake which is probably influenced by people thinking it means something like “the mother of all loads.” A “lode” was originally a stream of water, but by analogy it became a vein of metal ore. Miners of precious metals dream of finding a really rich vein, which they refer to as a “mother lode,” most often spelled as two words, though you also commonly see it spelled as one.
Although you may dig a load of ore out of a mother lode, the spelling “motherload” is a mistake which is probably influenced by people thinking it means something like “the mother of all loads.” A “lode” was originally a stream of water, but by analogy it became a vein of metal ore. Miners of precious metals dream of finding a really rich vein, which they refer to as a “mother lode,” most often spelled as two words, though you also commonly see it spelled as one.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
ethnic: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, October 10, 2012
ethnic
It’s misleading to refer to minority groups as “ethnics” since everyone has ethnicity, even a dominant majority.
It’s misleading to refer to minority groups as “ethnics” since everyone has ethnicity, even a dominant majority.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
pre-Madonna/prima donna: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, October 9, 2012
pre-Madonna/prima donna
The leading soprano in an opera is the prima donna (Italian for “leading lady”). As an insult, “prima donna” implies that the person under discussion is egotistical, demanding, and doesn’t work well as part of a team.
Don’t write “pre-Madonna” unless you intend to discuss the era before the singer Madonna became popular.
The leading soprano in an opera is the prima donna (Italian for “leading lady”). As an insult, “prima donna” implies that the person under discussion is egotistical, demanding, and doesn’t work well as part of a team.
Don’t write “pre-Madonna” unless you intend to discuss the era before the singer Madonna became popular.
Monday, October 8, 2012
verbage/verbiage: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, October 8, 2012
verbage/verbiage
“Verbiage” is an insulting term usually meant to disparage needlessly wordy prose. Don’t use it to mean simply “wording.” There is no such word as “verbage.”
“Verbiage” is an insulting term usually meant to disparage needlessly wordy prose. Don’t use it to mean simply “wording.” There is no such word as “verbage.”
Sunday, October 7, 2012
lend/loan: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Sunday, October 7, 2012
lend/loan
“Loan me your hat” was just as correct everywhere as “lend me your ears” until the British made “lend” the preferred verb, relegating “loan” to the thing being lent. However, as in so many cases, Americans kept the older pattern, which in its turn has influenced modern British usage so that those insisting that “loan” can only be a noun are in the minority.
“Loan me your hat” was just as correct everywhere as “lend me your ears” until the British made “lend” the preferred verb, relegating “loan” to the thing being lent. However, as in so many cases, Americans kept the older pattern, which in its turn has influenced modern British usage so that those insisting that “loan” can only be a noun are in the minority.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
disgression/discretion: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Saturday, October 6, 2012
disgression/discretion
Discretion has to do with being discreet or with making choices. A lot of people hear it and get influenced by the quite different word “digression” which is used to label instances of people wandering off the point. The result is the nonword “disgression.” The expression is “you can do it at your own discretion.”
_________
These expressions are not cast in stone: Paul Brians looks at idiom blends in his latest blog post.
Discretion has to do with being discreet or with making choices. A lot of people hear it and get influenced by the quite different word “digression” which is used to label instances of people wandering off the point. The result is the nonword “disgression.” The expression is “you can do it at your own discretion.”
_________
These expressions are not cast in stone: Paul Brians looks at idiom blends in his latest blog post.
Friday, October 5, 2012
anyways/anyway: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday, October 5, 2012
anyways/anyway
“Anyways” at the beginning of a sentence usually indicates that the speaker has resumed a narrative thread: “Anyways, I told Matilda that guy was a lazy bum before she ever married him.” It also occurs at the end of phrases and sentences, meaning “in any case”: “He wasn’t all that good-looking anyways.” A slightly less rustic quality can be imparted to these sentences by substituting the more formal “anyway.” Neither expression is a good idea in formal written English. The two-word phrase “any way” has many legitimate uses, however: “Is there any way to prevent the impending disaster?”
“Anyways” at the beginning of a sentence usually indicates that the speaker has resumed a narrative thread: “Anyways, I told Matilda that guy was a lazy bum before she ever married him.” It also occurs at the end of phrases and sentences, meaning “in any case”: “He wasn’t all that good-looking anyways.” A slightly less rustic quality can be imparted to these sentences by substituting the more formal “anyway.” Neither expression is a good idea in formal written English. The two-word phrase “any way” has many legitimate uses, however: “Is there any way to prevent the impending disaster?”
Thursday, October 4, 2012
convince/persuade: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, October 4, 2012
convince/persuade
Some people like to distinguish between these two words by insisting that you persuade people until you have convinced them; but “persuade” as a synonym for “convince” goes back at least to the 16th century. It can mean both to attempt to convince and to succeed. It is no longer common to say things like “I am persuaded that you are an illiterate fool,” but even this usage is not in itself wrong.
Some people like to distinguish between these two words by insisting that you persuade people until you have convinced them; but “persuade” as a synonym for “convince” goes back at least to the 16th century. It can mean both to attempt to convince and to succeed. It is no longer common to say things like “I am persuaded that you are an illiterate fool,” but even this usage is not in itself wrong.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
one of the only/one of the few: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, October 3, 2012
one of the only/one of the few
Although it has recently become much more popular, the phrase “one of the only” bothers some of us in contexts in which “one of the few” would traditionally be used. Be aware that it strikes some readers as odd. “One of only three groups that played in tune” is fine, but “one of the only groups that played in tune” is more likely to cause raised eyebrows.
Although it has recently become much more popular, the phrase “one of the only” bothers some of us in contexts in which “one of the few” would traditionally be used. Be aware that it strikes some readers as odd. “One of only three groups that played in tune” is fine, but “one of the only groups that played in tune” is more likely to cause raised eyebrows.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
God/god: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, October 2, 2012
God/god
When “God” is the name of a god, as in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it needs to be capitalized like any other name (“Allah” is just Arabic for “God,” and many modern Muslims translate the name when writing in English). When it is used as a generic term, as in “He looks like a Greek god,” it is not capitalized.
If you see the word rendered “G*d” or “G-d,” it’s not an error, but a Jewish writer reverently following the Orthodox prohibition against spelling out the name of the deity in full.
When “God” is the name of a god, as in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it needs to be capitalized like any other name (“Allah” is just Arabic for “God,” and many modern Muslims translate the name when writing in English). When it is used as a generic term, as in “He looks like a Greek god,” it is not capitalized.
If you see the word rendered “G*d” or “G-d,” it’s not an error, but a Jewish writer reverently following the Orthodox prohibition against spelling out the name of the deity in full.
Monday, October 1, 2012
downfall/drawback: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, October 1, 2012
downfall/drawback
A downfall is something that causes a person’s destruction, either literal or figurative: “expensive cars were Fred’s downfall: he spent his entire inheritance on them and went bankrupt.” A drawback is not nearly so drastic, just a flaw or problem of some kind, and is normally applied to plans and activities, not to people: “Gloria’s plan to camp on Mosquito Island had just one drawback: she had forgotten to bring her insect repellent.” Also, “downfall” should not be used when the more moderate “decline” is meant; reserve it for ruin, not to designate simple deterioration.
A downfall is something that causes a person’s destruction, either literal or figurative: “expensive cars were Fred’s downfall: he spent his entire inheritance on them and went bankrupt.” A drawback is not nearly so drastic, just a flaw or problem of some kind, and is normally applied to plans and activities, not to people: “Gloria’s plan to camp on Mosquito Island had just one drawback: she had forgotten to bring her insect repellent.” Also, “downfall” should not be used when the more moderate “decline” is meant; reserve it for ruin, not to designate simple deterioration.
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