torchiere/torchère
Consumers and dealers who call tall floor lamps torchieres undoubtedly think they’re being sophisticated, but the French word is simple torchère (originally meaning “torch-holder”). Because of widespread confusion about this word you’ll have to search for both spellings on the Web when you’re shopping.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
boost in the arm/shot in the arm: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, March 28–30, 2014
boost in the arm/shot in the arm
Early in the 20th century it used to be common for people feeling a bit run-down to go to the doctor to get injected with a stimulant. By 1916 this remedy had led to a saying according to which a positive stimulation of almost any kind could be called “a real shot in the arm.”
We still use this expression in a wide variety of ways. It can refer to an increase of business in a company, to a stimulus administered to the economy, to the hopes of a sports franchise or a politician running for office.
A simpler way of expressing the idea is to refer to a stimulus as a “boost.” Examples: “the flowers on my birthday gave my spirits a real boost,” “the large donation by the pharmaceutical company gave his campaign a major boost,” “the President is looking for ways to boost the economy.”
It’s easy to understand how these two expressions came to be confused with each other in the popular form “a boost in the arm.” After all, we go to the doctor for a booster shot. But the boost in this expression is a shove from underneath to raise the whole body, not a needle in the biceps. It makes more sense to stick with the traditional expression “a shot in the arm” or to simply use “boost.”
________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Taking Exception to Scholarly Language" (May 10, 2011).
Early in the 20th century it used to be common for people feeling a bit run-down to go to the doctor to get injected with a stimulant. By 1916 this remedy had led to a saying according to which a positive stimulation of almost any kind could be called “a real shot in the arm.”
We still use this expression in a wide variety of ways. It can refer to an increase of business in a company, to a stimulus administered to the economy, to the hopes of a sports franchise or a politician running for office.
A simpler way of expressing the idea is to refer to a stimulus as a “boost.” Examples: “the flowers on my birthday gave my spirits a real boost,” “the large donation by the pharmaceutical company gave his campaign a major boost,” “the President is looking for ways to boost the economy.”
It’s easy to understand how these two expressions came to be confused with each other in the popular form “a boost in the arm.” After all, we go to the doctor for a booster shot. But the boost in this expression is a shove from underneath to raise the whole body, not a needle in the biceps. It makes more sense to stick with the traditional expression “a shot in the arm” or to simply use “boost.”
________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "Taking Exception to Scholarly Language" (May 10, 2011).
Thursday, March 27, 2014
self-steam/self-esteem: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 27, 2014
self-steam/self-esteem
If you bask in the sauna, you may self-steam. But the expression labeling people’s opinions of their own worth is “self-esteem.”
“Self-esteem” is also sometimes misspelled “self of steam.”
______
Two recent blog posts serve to remember James Leisy, founder of William, James & Company:
By Paul Brians: "Goodbye, Jim—and Thanks for the Memories."
By Tom Sumner: "Goodbye, James | Goodbye, Franklin."
If you bask in the sauna, you may self-steam. But the expression labeling people’s opinions of their own worth is “self-esteem.”
“Self-esteem” is also sometimes misspelled “self of steam.”
______
Two recent blog posts serve to remember James Leisy, founder of William, James & Company:
By Paul Brians: "Goodbye, Jim—and Thanks for the Memories."
By Tom Sumner: "Goodbye, James | Goodbye, Franklin."
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
base/bass: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, March 26, 2014
base/bass
Like Big Mouth Billy Bass, things musical are usually “bass”: bass guitars, bass drums, bass clefs. Don’t use the more common word “base” in such contexts.
Like Big Mouth Billy Bass, things musical are usually “bass”: bass guitars, bass drums, bass clefs. Don’t use the more common word “base” in such contexts.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
crucifiction/crucifixion: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 25, 2014
crucifiction/crucifixion
One might suppose that this common misspelling was a product of skepticism were it not for the fact that it most often occurs in the writings of believers. The word should make clear that Jesus was affixed to the cross, not imply that his killing is regarded as a fiction.
______
Two recent blog posts serve to remember James Leisy, founder of William, James & Company:
By Paul Brians: "Goodbye, Jim—and Thanks for the Memories."
By Tom Sumner: "Goodbye, James | Goodbye, Franklin."
One might suppose that this common misspelling was a product of skepticism were it not for the fact that it most often occurs in the writings of believers. The word should make clear that Jesus was affixed to the cross, not imply that his killing is regarded as a fiction.
______
Two recent blog posts serve to remember James Leisy, founder of William, James & Company:
By Paul Brians: "Goodbye, Jim—and Thanks for the Memories."
By Tom Sumner: "Goodbye, James | Goodbye, Franklin."
Monday, March 24, 2014
paralyzation/paralysis: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 24, 2014
paralyzation/paralysis
Some people derive the noun “paralyzation” from the verb “paralyze,” but the proper term is “paralysis.”
Some people derive the noun “paralyzation” from the verb “paralyze,” but the proper term is “paralysis.”
Friday, March 21, 2014
gerunds & pronouns: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, March 21–23, 2014
gerunds & pronouns
This is a subtle point, and hard to explain without using the sort of technical language I usually try to avoid; but if you can learn how to precede gerunds with possessive pronouns, your writing will definitely improve in the eyes of many readers.
Verb forms ending in “-ing” can function as nouns and are sometimes preceded by pronouns. Such verb/noun forms are called “gerunds.” You’ll often see sentences like this: “I didn’t appreciate him returning the car with the gas tank empty.” But “returning” is a gerund, so it should be preceded by a possessive pronoun: “I didn’t appreciate his returning the car. . . .” Other examples of standard usage: “Their coming to my birthday party was a nice surprise.” “I didn’t like his being rude to his teacher.” “They weeded the garden without our having to tell them to.” “Coming,” “being,” and “having” are all gerunds, and require preceding possessive pronouns (“their,” “his,” and “our”). If a person’s name appears just before the gerund, that too needs to be in the possessive form: “We’re excited about Bob’s winning the tournament.”
Not all verb forms ending in “-ing” are gerunds. Some are present participles, and function as adjectives: “a sailing ship,” “a running joke,” “aching back.” These can be preceded by possessive pronouns (“my aching back”), but few people are tempted to use a non-possessive pronoun in this context except in certain dialects (“me aching back”).
Confused? Try this simple rule of thumb: if you have to put a pronoun or noun in front of an “-ing” word, try a possessive one first. If the “ing” word seems like a thing or an action that could be possessed, it’s probably a gerund. If using a possessive form makes sense, go with it.
______________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "One of the best, bar none" (November 7, 2012).
This is a subtle point, and hard to explain without using the sort of technical language I usually try to avoid; but if you can learn how to precede gerunds with possessive pronouns, your writing will definitely improve in the eyes of many readers.
Verb forms ending in “-ing” can function as nouns and are sometimes preceded by pronouns. Such verb/noun forms are called “gerunds.” You’ll often see sentences like this: “I didn’t appreciate him returning the car with the gas tank empty.” But “returning” is a gerund, so it should be preceded by a possessive pronoun: “I didn’t appreciate his returning the car. . . .” Other examples of standard usage: “Their coming to my birthday party was a nice surprise.” “I didn’t like his being rude to his teacher.” “They weeded the garden without our having to tell them to.” “Coming,” “being,” and “having” are all gerunds, and require preceding possessive pronouns (“their,” “his,” and “our”). If a person’s name appears just before the gerund, that too needs to be in the possessive form: “We’re excited about Bob’s winning the tournament.”
Not all verb forms ending in “-ing” are gerunds. Some are present participles, and function as adjectives: “a sailing ship,” “a running joke,” “aching back.” These can be preceded by possessive pronouns (“my aching back”), but few people are tempted to use a non-possessive pronoun in this context except in certain dialects (“me aching back”).
Confused? Try this simple rule of thumb: if you have to put a pronoun or noun in front of an “-ing” word, try a possessive one first. If the “ing” word seems like a thing or an action that could be possessed, it’s probably a gerund. If using a possessive form makes sense, go with it.
______________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "One of the best, bar none" (November 7, 2012).
Thursday, March 20, 2014
poo-poo/pooh-pooh/pupu: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 20, 2014
poo-poo/pooh-pooh/pupu
The toddler with a soggy diaper proudly announces “I go poo-poo!”
The skeptic is inclined to pooh-pooh outlandish ideas. Don’t mix up matter for skepticism with material for the septic system.
A selection of snacks served on a wooden platter in a Chinese restaurant is called a “pupu platter”—a custom and word that made its way to the mainland US from Hawaii.
The toddler with a soggy diaper proudly announces “I go poo-poo!”
The skeptic is inclined to pooh-pooh outlandish ideas. Don’t mix up matter for skepticism with material for the septic system.
A selection of snacks served on a wooden platter in a Chinese restaurant is called a “pupu platter”—a custom and word that made its way to the mainland US from Hawaii.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
ying and yang/yin and yang: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, March 19, 2014
ying and yang/yin and yang
The pair of female and male terms in Chinese thought consists of “yin and yang,” not “ying and yang.”
The pair of female and male terms in Chinese thought consists of “yin and yang,” not “ying and yang.”
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
patience/patients: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 18, 2014
patience/patients
Doctors have patients, but while you’re waiting to see them you have to have patience.
Doctors have patients, but while you’re waiting to see them you have to have patience.
Monday, March 17, 2014
goal/gaol: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 17, 2014
goal/gaol
UK writers are increasingly using the American spelling “jail” instead of “gaol.” This should be helpful for those who sometimes absentmindedly type “goal” when they mean to write “gaol.”
UK writers are increasingly using the American spelling “jail” instead of “gaol.” This should be helpful for those who sometimes absentmindedly type “goal” when they mean to write “gaol.”
Friday, March 14, 2014
who/that: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, March 14–16, 2014
who/that
There are many instances in which the most conservative usage is to refer to a person using “that”: “All the politicians that were at the party later denied even knowing the host” is actually somewhat more traditional than the more popular “politicians who.” An aversion to “that” referring to human beings as somehow diminishing their humanity may be praiseworthily sensitive, but it cannot claim the authority of tradition. In some sentences, “that” is clearly preferable to “who”: “She is the only person I know of that prefers whipped cream on her granola.” In the following example, to exchange “that” for “who” would be absurd: “Who was it that said, ‘A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle’?”*
_____________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "One of the best, bar none" (November 7, 2012).
There are many instances in which the most conservative usage is to refer to a person using “that”: “All the politicians that were at the party later denied even knowing the host” is actually somewhat more traditional than the more popular “politicians who.” An aversion to “that” referring to human beings as somehow diminishing their humanity may be praiseworthily sensitive, but it cannot claim the authority of tradition. In some sentences, “that” is clearly preferable to “who”: “She is the only person I know of that prefers whipped cream on her granola.” In the following example, to exchange “that” for “who” would be absurd: “Who was it that said, ‘A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle’?”*
_____________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "One of the best, bar none" (November 7, 2012).
Thursday, March 13, 2014
you can’t have your cake and eat it too/you can’t eat your cake and have it too: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 13, 2014
you can’t have your cake and eat it too/you can’t eat your cake and have it too
The most popular form of this saying—“You can’t have your cake and eat it too”— confuses many people because they mistakenly suppose the word “have” means “eat,” as in “Have a piece of cake for dessert.” A more logical version of this saying is “You can’t eat your cake and have it too,” meaning that if you eat your cake you won’t have it any more. The point is that if you eat your cake right now you won’t have it to eat later. “Have” means “possess” in this context, not “eat.”
The most popular form of this saying—“You can’t have your cake and eat it too”— confuses many people because they mistakenly suppose the word “have” means “eat,” as in “Have a piece of cake for dessert.” A more logical version of this saying is “You can’t eat your cake and have it too,” meaning that if you eat your cake you won’t have it any more. The point is that if you eat your cake right now you won’t have it to eat later. “Have” means “possess” in this context, not “eat.”
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
tooken/took/taken: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, March 12, 2014
tooken/took/taken
“Hey, Tricia! Ted couldn’t find his parrot so he’s tooken your toucan to show and tell!” “Tooken” is a non-standard form of “taken.”
In fact, there are two past-tense forms of “take” which shouldn’t be mixed up with each other. For the simple past you need “took”: “Beau took a course in acoustics.” But if a helping verb precedes it, the word you need is “taken”: “he has taken some other courses too.”
“Hey, Tricia! Ted couldn’t find his parrot so he’s tooken your toucan to show and tell!” “Tooken” is a non-standard form of “taken.”
In fact, there are two past-tense forms of “take” which shouldn’t be mixed up with each other. For the simple past you need “took”: “Beau took a course in acoustics.” But if a helping verb precedes it, the word you need is “taken”: “he has taken some other courses too.”
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
expensive, cheap: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 11, 2014
expensive, cheap
A costly item is expensive, but the price itself is not expensive; neither does a cheap item have a cheap price. Prices are high or low, not expensive or cheap.
A costly item is expensive, but the price itself is not expensive; neither does a cheap item have a cheap price. Prices are high or low, not expensive or cheap.
Monday, March 10, 2014
pause for concern/cause for concern, pause: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 10, 2014
pause for concern/cause for concern, pause
Something worrisome can give you pause, or cause for concern. But some people confuse these two expressions and say they have “pause for concern.”
Something worrisome can give you pause, or cause for concern. But some people confuse these two expressions and say they have “pause for concern.”
Friday, March 7, 2014
daylight savings time/daylight saving time: The Weekend Edition—Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Friday–Sunday, March 7–9, 2014
daylight savings time/daylight saving time
The official term is “daylight saving time,” not “savings time.”
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "What’s Not Happening?" (November 16, 2012).
Follow along on Twitter.
Follow along on Facebook, too!
The official term is “daylight saving time,” not “savings time.”
___________
The Week's End Extra from the Archives: "What’s Not Happening?" (November 16, 2012).
Follow along on Twitter.
Follow along on Facebook, too!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
avocation/vocation: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Thursday, March 6, 2014
avocation/vocation
Your “avocation” is just your hobby; don’t mix it up with your job: your “vocation.”
________
Follow along on Twitter.
Follow along on Facebook, too!
Your “avocation” is just your hobby; don’t mix it up with your job: your “vocation.”
________
Follow along on Twitter.
Follow along on Facebook, too!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
revelant/relevant: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, March 5, 2014
revelant/relevant
“Relevant” matters are related to the subject at hand. “Revelant” is both spoken and written frequently when “relevant” is intended.
________
Follow along on Twitter.
Follow along on Facebook, too!
“Relevant” matters are related to the subject at hand. “Revelant” is both spoken and written frequently when “relevant” is intended.
________
Follow along on Twitter.
Follow along on Facebook, too!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
sometimes not always: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Tuesday, March 4, 2014
sometimes not always
Expressions like “not always,” “don’t always,” and “aren’t always” overlap in meaning with “sometimes,” but don’t belong in the same phrase with this word—they’re redundant.
“Sometimes I don’t always feel like jogging” doesn’t make any sense. Say either “sometimes I don’t feel like jogging” or “I don’t always feel like jogging.”
____________
Paul Brians' latest blog post explains "once in a blue moon."
Follow along on Twitter.Follow along on Facebook, too!
Expressions like “not always,” “don’t always,” and “aren’t always” overlap in meaning with “sometimes,” but don’t belong in the same phrase with this word—they’re redundant.
“Sometimes I don’t always feel like jogging” doesn’t make any sense. Say either “sometimes I don’t feel like jogging” or “I don’t always feel like jogging.”
____________
Paul Brians' latest blog post explains "once in a blue moon."
Follow along on Twitter.Follow along on Facebook, too!
Monday, March 3, 2014
all goes well/augurs well: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Monday, March 3, 2014
all goes well/augurs well
Some folks who don’t understand the word “augur” (to foretell based on omens) try to make sense of the common phrase “augurs well” by mangling it into “all goes well.” “Augurs well” is synonymous with “bodes well.”
____________
Paul Brians' latest blog post explains "once in a blue moon."
Some folks who don’t understand the word “augur” (to foretell based on omens) try to make sense of the common phrase “augurs well” by mangling it into “all goes well.” “Augurs well” is synonymous with “bodes well.”
____________
Paul Brians' latest blog post explains "once in a blue moon."
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