misnomer
A misnomer is a mistake in naming a thing; calling a debit card a “credit card” is a misnomer. Do not use the term more generally to designate other sorts of confusion, misunderstood concepts, or fallacies, and above all do not render this word as “misnamer.”
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
denied of/denied: Entry for Monday, January 30, 2012
denied of/denied
If you are deprived of your rights you are denied them; but that’s no reason to confuse these two expressions with each other. You can’t be “denied of” anything.
If you are deprived of your rights you are denied them; but that’s no reason to confuse these two expressions with each other. You can’t be “denied of” anything.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
unpleased: Entry for Sunday, January 29, 2012
unpleased
“Unpleased” is considered archaic; the standard modern word for your reaction to something you don’t like is “displeased.”
However “unpleasing” is still current to describe something that fails to please: “the arrangement of ‘Silent Night’ for truck air horns was unpleasing.” But “displeasing” is more common.
“Unpleased” is considered archaic; the standard modern word for your reaction to something you don’t like is “displeased.”
However “unpleasing” is still current to describe something that fails to please: “the arrangement of ‘Silent Night’ for truck air horns was unpleasing.” But “displeasing” is more common.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
squoze/squeezed: Entry for Saturday, January 28, 2012
squoze/squeezed
The standard past tense of “squeeze” is not “squoze” but “squeezed.” Even most people who write “squoze” know this, and use it jokingly.
The standard past tense of “squeeze” is not “squoze” but “squeezed.” Even most people who write “squoze” know this, and use it jokingly.
Friday, January 27, 2012
offline: Entry for Friday, January 27, 2012
offline
When your computer is connected to the Internet, you are online. When you disconnect from the Internet, you are offline.
People who don’t understand this often say of things they get from the Internet that they downloaded them “offline,” evidently thinking that the word means “off of the Internet.” Nothing can be uploaded or downloaded to a site when you are offline.
When your computer is connected to the Internet, you are online. When you disconnect from the Internet, you are offline.
People who don’t understand this often say of things they get from the Internet that they downloaded them “offline,” evidently thinking that the word means “off of the Internet.” Nothing can be uploaded or downloaded to a site when you are offline.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
invite/invitation: Entry for Thursday, January 26, 2012
invite/invitation
“Invite” (accent on the second syllable) is perfectly standard as a verb: “Invite me to the birthday party and I’ll jump out of the cake.”
But “invite” (accent on the first syllable) as a noun meaning “invitation” is less acceptable: “I got an invite to my ex-wife’s wedding.” Though this form has become extremely popular, even in fairly formal contexts, it is safer to use the traditional “invitation.”
“Invite” (accent on the second syllable) is perfectly standard as a verb: “Invite me to the birthday party and I’ll jump out of the cake.”
But “invite” (accent on the first syllable) as a noun meaning “invitation” is less acceptable: “I got an invite to my ex-wife’s wedding.” Though this form has become extremely popular, even in fairly formal contexts, it is safer to use the traditional “invitation.”
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
expressed/express: Entry for Wednesday, January 25, 2012
expressed/express
One of the meanings of “express” is “explicit”: “Izaak claimed that his old boss had given him express permission to shop on eBay for fishing rods during work hours.” Some people feel the word should be “expressed,” and that form is not likely to get anyone into trouble; but if you use it you should not presume to correct others who stick with the traditional form: “express permission” (or orders, or mandate, or whatever).
______________
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Buy the book!
One of the meanings of “express” is “explicit”: “Izaak claimed that his old boss had given him express permission to shop on eBay for fishing rods during work hours.” Some people feel the word should be “expressed,” and that form is not likely to get anyone into trouble; but if you use it you should not presume to correct others who stick with the traditional form: “express permission” (or orders, or mandate, or whatever).
______________
Visit Paul Brians' Web site!
Buy the book!
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