‘Cussed’

When you refer to an individual as being `cussed’, what you mean is that he is very stubborn; he doesn’t readily agree or cooperate with people.

Pronunciation: The first syllable `cuss’ rhymes with the words `fuss’ and `bus’. The `ed’ that follows sounds like the `ed’ in `wanted’, `hunted’, and `slanted’. The main stress is on the first syllable.
One of the meaning of the word ‘cussed’ is someone who doesn’t help others. The word is probably used to show disapproval.
`Cussed’ is considered rather old fashioned, and is normally used in informal contexts.

Example: Gayathri, my cousin’s daughter, is so cussed that she always does the opposite of what her parents tell her to.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – February 26, 2007

`off-putting’

The phrase means it is rather strange or unpleasant.

Examples: “The strong language used in the letter was off-putting.” * “The behaviour of teenagers nowadays is off-putting.”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – February 26, 2007

`odorous’ and `odious’

When you say that someone is `odious’, you are implying that the person is extremely unpleasant. The individual deserves our contempt and hatred. The word is normally used in formal contexts, and can be used with things as well.

*Ritu is certainly the most odious teenager that I’ve ever met.

The word `odorous’ is related to `odour’, meaning `smell’. When you say that something is `odorous’ what you mean is that it has a strong and distinctive smell. The smell can be either pleasant or unpleasant.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 19, 2007

Is it OK to say, `It costs very much money’?

No, it isn’t.

Normally with verbs like `cost’, `eat’ and `pay’, we generally don’t use `very much’ – especially in affirmative sentences. We cannot say, `I ate very much ice cream’ or `I had to pay very much’. We normally use `a lot’ with these verbs. For example, we say, `I ate a lot of ice cream’, `I had to pay a lot in taxes’, and `The new TV costs a lot’. It is, however, possible to use `very much’ with these verbs in questions.

Examples: Did the new TV cost very much? * Did you have to pay very much as rent?

One can also use `cost’ and `pay’ with `very much’ in negative sentences. For example, it is grammatically acceptable to say, `It doesn’t cost very much’ and `You don’t really have to pay very much.’

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 19, 2007

`to read the riot act’

When you read someone the riot act, what you are doing is giving him a severe scolding. You are angrily telling the individual that if the same thing happens again, he will get into serious trouble.

*Listen, you guys! If you don’t clean this mess up, the coach will read you the riot act.

The Riot Act was a law that came into effect in Britain in 1715. This law had to be passed because of the unstable political situation in the country.  The Riot Act made it illegal for 12 or more people to assemble in
public places. Whenever a group gathered, it was the job of the Magistrate or the policeman to stand in front of the crowd and read aloud the Act. If the people did not disperse after hearing the proclamation, they were arrested and put in prison, sometimes for several years!

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 19, 2007

`mealy mouthed’

We often meet people who are hesitant to say what is on their mind. When something unpleasant happens, they refuse to speak plainly or openly about the matter. When you say that someone is `mealy mouthed’, what you mean is that the individual is not frank or sincere. He is not brave enough or honest enough to speak his mind. The term is normally used to show contempt for an individual.

*Jai is a young, mealy-mouthed politician that people just love to hate.

Food that is dry and powdery is often referred to as being `mealy’. So when you say that someone is `mealy-mouthed’, what you mean is that the person has something dry and powdery in his mouth. He is therefore unable to speak clearly. According to scholars, the expression comes from the German `Mehl im Maule behalten’, meaning `to carry a meal in the mouth’.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 19, 2007

`impulsive’ and `compulsive’

Some people are compulsive liars. What this means is that these individuals are addicted to lying; they just cannot stop lying. Lying is an obsession for them. Similarly, a person who is a compulsive gambler has to gamble; he cannot refrain from gambling. Even when he has run up a huge debt, he will beg, borrow or steal money and continue to gamble. He will be unable to kick the habit.

*It was during the honeymoon that he realised that his wife was a compulsive eater.

Something that you do `impulsively’, you do spontaneously. When a fast bowler bowls a bouncer, most batsmen impulsively duck. You may lie impulsively on an occasion; this doesn’t mean that you lie all the time. In other words, you are not a `compulsive liar’. You are not constantly thinking about lying — it just happens. A compulsive smoker or gambler constantly craves for the things that he is addicted to.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 12, 2007

`subaltern’

It means `subordinate’. The word was originally a term used in the army to refer to any commissioned officer below the rank of a captain. In British English, the `a’ and the `e’ are pronounced like the `a’ in `china’, and the main stress is on the first syllable. In American English, the `u’ and the `e’ are like the `a’ in `china’, and the `a’ is like the `au’ in `aught’ and `caught’. The main stress, in this case, is on the second syllable. Nowadays, the term is used to refer to the underprivileged or the disadvantaged.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 12, 2007

`subaltern’

It means `subordinate’. The word was originally a term used in the army to refer to any commissioned officer below the rank of a captain. In British English, the `a’ and the `e’ are pronounced like the `a’ in `china’, and the main stress is on the first syllable. In American English, the `u’ and the `e’ are like the `a’ in `china’, and the `a’ is like the `au’ in `aught’ and `caught’. The main stress, in this case, is on the second syllable. Nowadays, the term is used to refer to the underprivileged or the disadvantaged.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 12, 2007

`wimpy’

When you call someone a `wimp’, you mean that he is a very weak and timid individual; he is spineless. Other words that have more or less the same meaning are `drip’ and `wuss’.

Examples: Don’t be such a wimp, Raju. Just go ahead and take the plunge. *How can you ask someone wimpy like Karthick to be the next President?

The expression `wimp out’ is being used nowadays in informal contexts to mean the same thing as `chicken out’. When you `wimp out’ of doing something, you get out of doing it because you are very scared.

Examples: Sagar said that he would go bungee jumping with me. At the last minute, he wimped out. *If you’re serious about doing it, let me know. I don’t want you to wimp out.

According to some scholars, the word `wimpy’ comes from the word `whimper’. Others believe that it comes from the name of a character in a well-known cartoon show, `Popeye’. J. Wellington Wimpy, affectionately called `Wimpy’, is Popeye’s friend. Unlike the star of the show, there’s nothing heroic about this roly-poly character. Wimpy is spineless; he never participates in any of the fights that Popeye is constantly getting himself into. The only thing Wimpy enjoys doing is eating hamburgers! “I’d gladly pay you tomorrow for a hamburger today” is his favourite line.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 12, 2007

`take a bath’ or `have a bath’ ?

“You can either `take a bath’ or `have a bath’. Both are acceptable. The British say `have a bath’, while Americans say, `take a bath’.”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

`alongside’ or `alongside of’ ?

`alongside of’ is a wrong usage.

For example, its wrong to use `alongside of’ as in “She’s got a job in a call centre and is working alongside of Arun and Sarah.”

Correct usage is “She works alongside Arun and Sarah”.

Other examples, “the children took great delight in working alongside the clowns.” * “Senior citizens were seen fighting alongside soldiers.” * “We jogged alongside the Olympic champion”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

‘in guarantee’ or ‘under guarantee’ ?

You don’t say that something is `in guarantee’, but `under guarantee’.

Examples: The TV is still under guarantee. I have to remind my father that the air conditioner is still under guarantee.”

The stress in guarantee is on the final syllable. Not on the first.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

`didn’t turn a hair’

When you give someone bad news and he doesn’t show any emotion, you say, `he didn’t turn a hair’.

Example: “When my boss was told that the union members were going on strike, he didn’t turn a hair.”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

“bald as a coot”

When you say that someone is as bald as a coot, what you probably mean is that the person is completely bald.

Examples: My neighbour is as bald as a coot. * My twenty-five year old cousin is as bald as a coot.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – February 05, 2007

`chatterati’

`Chatterati’ is a combination of `chatter’ and `literati’.
The word `literati’, as you probably know, refers to the educated people who take a great interest in literature. `Chatterati’ is a term used by journalists to refer to people (columnists, talk show hosts, self-proclaimed pundits, etc) who love letting the world know what their opinion on something is — it doesn’t really matter to these people whether or not they know anything about the subject being discussed! Needless to say, the word is used to show disapproval.

*What does the chatterati have to say about the new policy?

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 29, 2007

`noticeable’ and `notable’

When you say that something is `noticeable’, what you mean is that it is apparent. In other words, it is obvious; it can be seen or `noticed’ by others.

Examples: There is a noticeable improvement in the champion’s backhand. *What is noticeable is that the two brothers just can’t stand each other.

Anything or anyone that is important or interesting is `notable’. The word is normally used with people who are well known. It can also be used to refer to their impressive accomplishments.

Example: Winning the Grand Slam twice is one of his notable achievements.

`Notables’ is normally used to refer to important or powerful people.

*Many of the local notables decided to stay away from the event.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 29, 2007

How is the word `succulent’ pronounced?

The `succ’ is pronounced like the word `suck’. The sound that follows is like the `y’ in `yes’ and `yellow’, and the following `u’ is like the `u’ in `pull’, `full’, and `bull’. The `e’ in the third syllable is like the `a’ in `china’, and the main stress is on the first syllable.
The word is normally used in relation to meat, fruit and vegetables. Food that is `succulent’ is very juicy and good to eat.

*Shalini placed the succulent fruit on top of the ice cream and served it to the guest.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 29, 2007

“let the chips fall where they may”

This is an expression that is mostly used in American English. When you say `let the chips fall where they may’, what you mean is, do whatever you have to do without worrying too much about the consequences of your action. In other words, do the right thing and don’t worry about the fallout. Let things happen naturally; do not make an attempt to try to control everything.

*The minister said that he would speak from the heart, and let the chips fall where they may.

The `chips’ has nothing to do with the chips we normally eat. This idiom comes from the world of logging. When you chop down a tree using an axe, every time you hit the tree, pieces of wood (chips) scatter. While you are cutting, you do not worry about the various chips flying around; you don’t really care where they land. As a cutter, you remain focussed on the task at hand — which is to chop down the tree.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 29, 2007

Difference between `backward’ and `backwards’?

In terms of meaning, there is no difference. For example, you can say, `The absent minded professor had put his shirt on backwards.’ It is also possible to use `backward’ in the sentence. The British generally tend to use `backwards’, while the Americans use `backward’. It is very much like the use of the words `toward’ and `towards’. Americans prefer `toward’, while the British favour `towards’. When used as an adjective (that is when used before a noun), however, you can only use `backward’. In the sentences given below, we cannot use `backwards’.

*The children walked out the cave without a backward glance.

*Sandhya took a couple of deep breaths before doing her three backward flips.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 22, 2007

Which is correct? `Enter a room’ or `Enter into a room’?

When you walk into a room, you `enter’ it. You do not `enter into’ it. You normally `enter’ a room, building or country.

Examples: As usual, Chandru entered the room with a smile on his face. *The student wasn’t allowed to enter the country without a valid visa.

`Enter into’ is normally used in relation to `conversation’, `agreement’, `discussion’, etc. This is just one of the ways of using the expression.

Examples: After three days of fighting, the two companies entered into an agreement. *I hope to enter into a discussion with the leaders of the strike.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 22, 2007

`to curry favour’

When you `curry favour with someone’ you try to gain a person’s approval by making use of flattery. You attempt to win the individual’s support by talking to him rather politely, very often resorting to insincere praise. The expression is normally used to show disapproval.

Example: Prakash is trying to curry favour with his uncle again.

The `curry’ in the expression has nothing to do with the curry we eat. This curry comes from the world of horse riding. People who take care of horses make use of a `curry-comb’ to rub the animal down. It is from this, that we get the expression `to curry’, meaning `to groom a horse’. In other words, the verb `to curry’ means to rub down a horse. The word `favour’ in the idiom has got nothing to do with the favour we know. It is, in fact, a corruption of the French name `Favel’ (also spelt `Fauvel’). Favel is the name of a cunning centaur that appears in a French story written in the 14th century. A `centaur’, as you probably know, is an animal that is half man and half horse. In the story, people who wanted to be on the good side of the evil Favel, used to flatter him and also rub him down. In other words, the characters in the story used to `curry Favel’. In fact, the original expression was `to curry favel’. Since `favel’ sounded like `favour’, native speakers of English started saying, `to curry favour’.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 22, 2007

`affability’

First, let’s deal with the pronunciation. The first `a’ is pronounced like the `a’ in `cat’, `bat’, and `hat’. The `a’ in the second syllable is like the `a’ in `china’; and the final `bility’ is like the `bility’ in `ability’, `capability’, and `stability’. The main stress is on the third syllable `bi’. A person who is `affable’ is very pleasant and friendly. Such a person is usually very courteous whenever he talks to someone.

Example: Many students find the new teacher’s affability very irritating.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 08, 2007

Is it correct to say, `come to here’?

No, it isn’t. You generally say, `Come here’, and not `come to here’. There are a number of common words in English, such as `here’, `there’, `home’, `up’, `down’, `upstairs’, and `downstairs’ which are not preceded by the word `to’.

Examples: The children ran upstairs/downstairs. (Not `ran to upstairs/downstairs’) *The CEO asked us to come here. (Not `come to here’)

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 08, 2007

`murder’ and `manslaughter’

In both cases, you perform an illegal act; you end up taking someone’s life! When you `murder’ someone, the act of killing the individual is deliberate or intentional. Usually, it is planned, and is carried out in a cold-blooded manner. It is for this reason that the punishment for murder is very severe. In the case of manslaughter, the act of killing may or may not be intentional. You could end up killing someone quite accidentally. If your kill your aunt or uncle because you want their property, then it is murder. If you run over a pedestrian, it is manslaughter. When you kill someone in self-defence, it is manslaughter, and not murder.

*The murders in Noida have upset many people in our country.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 08, 2007

`devil-may-care-attitude’

A person who has a very casual attitude about things in general is said to have a devil-may-care attitude. This individual is rather carefree, and doesn’t get terribly worked up if things don’t go according to plan. He is rather reckless and doesn’t really worry about the consequences. The expression is considered to be rather old fashioned. It is also possible to say, `devil-may-care manner’.

*When it comes to his studies, Sandeep has a devil-may-care attitude.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 08, 2007

Is it OK to say, `Irregardless of what you say, I plan to marry him’?

`Irregardless’ is a word that has caused a great deal of controversy. It has the same meaning as `regardless’; it is a word that is mostly used in informal contexts in America English. According to experts, it is a blend of `irrespective’ and `regardless’. The word is considered non-standard, and hence not all dictionaries include it. This is because the word `irregardless’ consists of two negatives; the prefix `ir’ means `not’, and the suffix `less’ means `without’. Avoid using the word.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 08, 2007

“Cock-a-hoop”

When you’re cock-a-hoop about something, you are extremely pleased about what you have done.
Example: Ameya was cock-a-hoop about coming first in class. * The two brothers were cock-a-hoop about getting a job in a really good company.
The expression is considered old fashioned, and is mostly used in informal contexts.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 01, 2007.

‘Bric-a-brac’

The small ornamental objects which people collect, and which are of no value are called bric-a-brac.

Examples: Bala clutters his office table with a lot of bric-a-brac.* My cousin Ananya’s house is filled with bric-a-brac.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 01, 2007

`ballpark figure’ or `ballpark estimate’

When you give someone a `ballpark figure’ or a `ballpark estimate’, you give them an approximate figure. In other words, you give them a rough estimate.

Examples: “There must have been 500 people at the party. That’s just a ballpark estimate.” * “How much do you think it’ll cost to go on a cruise? Give me a ballpark figure.”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 01, 2007

slipshod

Prounciation: The `o’ in the second syllable sounds like the `o’ in `hot’ and `got’. The main stress is on the first syllable `slip’.

Slipshod means sloppy or careless. Anything that is `slipshod’ has been done in a careless way.

For example, please don’t ask Praveen to write the report. He is a slipshod writer.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 01, 2007

`game’ for something

If someone is `game’ for something, then he is eager and willing to do it.
Examples:  Sujatha is game for anything that involves a bit of adventure. * “How about playing table tennis this evening? Are you game for it?”
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – January 01, 2007.