‘Wetware’

The human brain is sometimes referred to as ‘wetware’.
“The next time you meet Nandini, tell her that she needs to update her wetware”.

She doesn’t know anything about computers. In fact, there was nothing wrong with her computer. As you rightly said, it was a wetware problem.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 30, 2007 

What is the difference between ‘look’ and ‘see’?

Both words are used to talk about the different ways we use our eyes. ‘Seeing’ is a physiological process, it is something that our eyes do automatically. When you ‘see’ something, it is not intentional, but accidental. On your morning walk, you may see a cute little puppy, a man wearing a pink shirt, and an old motorcycle parked next to your new car. When you went for the walk, it was not your intention to see all these objects. You saw them because they came in front of you. You couldn’t avoid noticing them.

‘Looking’, on the other hand, is an intentional act. When you look at something, you pay attention. For example, if you look at a puppy, you observe it carefully. You begin to pay attention to its colour, size, etc.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 23, 2007

Can we say, ‘He is a faculty at Osmania University’?

The word ‘faculty’ is normally used to refer to all the teachers in a particular department or university. In this sense, it is like the word ‘staff’. Just as you cannot say ‘He is a staff’, you cannot say, ‘He is a faculty’. If you wish to refer to a particular individual, then you have to say, ‘He is a member of the faculty’ or ‘He is a faculty member.’

*Eminent faculty members from Harvard will be present at the conference. *I’d like all of you to meet the new member of our faculty.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 23, 2007

Is it OK to say, ‘Myself is Rajesh’?

No, it isn’t; you cannot begin a sentence with the word ‘myself’. The correct way of saying this is ‘I am Rajesh’ or ‘My name is Rajesh.’

You use ‘myself’ only when you have used the word ‘I’ earlier in the same sentence.
For example, ‘I did all the cooking myself’ and ‘I am not particularly fond of dosas myself.’ You cannot say, ‘Myself did all the cooking’ or ‘Myself am not particularly fond of dosas.’

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 23, 2007

What is the meaning of ‘akimbo’?

First, let’s deal with the pronunciation. The ‘a’ sounds like the ‘a’ in ‘china’; the following syllable is pronounced like the name ‘Kim’. The final ‘bo’ rhymes with ‘so’ and ‘no’, and the stress is on the second syllable ‘kim’.

The word is mainly used to refer to one’s arm position. When you stand with your arms akimbo, you have your hands on your hips and the arms are spread out with the elbows pointing outwards. It is a posture that generally indicates impatience, hostility, or contempt.

*The principal stood, arms akimbo, glaring at the students.*Standing behind the sofa with arms akimbo, Sheel told the painter what to do.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 23, 2007

What is the meaning of ‘wake up and smell the coffee’?

This is an expression that is mostly used in informal contexts. When you tell someone to ‘wake up and smell the coffee’, what you mean is that you want the individual to be more aware of what is happening around him. It has the same meaning as ‘get with it’.

*You don’t know what an iPhone is! Wake up and smell the coffee.*The company is in serious trouble. Wake up and smell the coffee.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 23, 2007

Difference between ‘cronyism’ and ‘nepotism’?

Both words are used to show disapproval. If you are accused of nepotism, then you use your position to promote or help the members of your family; it is favouritism based on kinship. The word comes from the Latin ‘nepos’ meaning ‘nephew’.
*Prema got the job because of nepotism — her father is the CEO of the company!

The word ‘crony’ (rhymes with ‘pony’ and ‘Tony’) is used to refer to a friend with whom you spend a lot of time. When you accuse someone of cronyism, what you mean is that the person is using his official position to help his friends.
*Bush and Cheney have often been accused of cronyism.
 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 16, 2007 

How is the word ‘sang-froid’ pronounced?

There are several ways of pronouncing this word. ‘Sang’ is often pronounced like the word ‘song’. The ‘fr’ is like the ‘fr’ in ‘from’, ‘French’, and ‘friend’; the sound that follows is like the ‘w’ in ‘wet’, ‘well’, and ‘wish’. The vowel is like the ‘a’ in ‘bath and ‘path’. The final ‘d’ is silent, and the stress is on ‘froid’. The word sounds like ‘song-frwaa’.

‘Sang-froid’ is a word of French origin and it means ‘cold blood’. When a person displays ‘sang-froid’ in a crisis, he remains very calm when things around him are falling apart.
*Though the crowd was extremely hostile, the visiting team showed remarkable sang-froid.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 16, 2007 

What is the meaning of “last but not least”?

The expression has been around since the 16th century. It means “finally, but not less importantly.” The expression can be used when you introduce a group of people to a friend. When you come to the last person in the group, you can say “last but not least, this is Suman”. What you mean by this is that though Suman is the final person to be introduced, it doesn’t mean she is less important than those introduced before her; she is as important as the others.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 16, 2007 

What is the meaning of “take pot shots at someone”?

In British English, the word ‘pot’ is used as a verb to mean “to shoot small birds and animals without taking careful aim.” The reason you don’t need to aim is because there are so many birds/ animals clustered nearby, that if you shoot in their general direction, you are bound to hit something. There is no way that you can miss. Hunters took pot shots because they wanted to put food on the table; their aim was to fill the cooking pot!

The opposite of ‘pot shot’, I understand, is ‘fair shot’; the kind of shot a ‘gentleman hunter’ prefers to take. In this case, the hunter decides which animal he wishes to kill, aims for it, and then shoots. As time went by, the term ‘pot shot’ began to be applied to any sort of blow – physical as well as verbal – that was difficult to avoid. The expression “take pot shots at someone” is now used to mean to criticise someone rather unexpectedly or unfairly.

*During the press conference, several reporters took pot shots at the aging actor.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 16, 2007

Difference between ‘stammer’ and ‘stutter’?

Both words are used to refer to a defect in an individual’s speech. We often meet people who have difficulty speaking; sometimes, they merely repeat the first sound or syllable of a word. They are unable to produce anything beyond that. Careful users of the language maintain that the word ‘stutter’ is used to refer to a person who has a chronic speech defect. ‘Stammering’, on the other hand, is considered temporary. All of us have ‘stammered’ sometime or the other. Human beings can stammer or stutter; machines only stutter. Speech therapists in Britain prefer to use ‘stammer’, while those in America and Canada prefer ‘stutter’. Aristotle, Aesop, Darwin, Napoleon, and Marylyn Monroe are some famous people who stuttered.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 09, 2007

What is the meaning and origin of ‘back to square one’ ?

When you have been working on a problem for a long time, and you are unable to find a solution, what is it that you normally do? Since you have not been able to make any progress, you go back to the beginning and start all over again. When you tell someone that you are ‘back to square one’, what you mean is that you’ve returned to the original starting point. In other words, you are going to begin all over again.

After three days of house hunting, I found one that I really liked. When I went to pay the advance the next morning, the landlord said that he had decided not to rent the house. So, it was back to square one.
According to some scholars, this expression was made popular by sports commentators of the BBC. Since football is a game that is difficult to follow on the radio, what some enterprising radio commentators did in the early 20th century was to divide the field into eight squares. The commentators informed the audience of what was happening on the field by telling them which square the ball was in. On the day of the game, most newspapers and sports magazines carried a drawing of the playing field with the squares clearly marked and numbered — this made it easy for listeners to follow the action. Square one was where the goalie stood. Others believe that the idiom has its origins in board games like Snakes and Ladders.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 09, 2007

Is there a sentence that includes all 26 letters of the alphabet?

A sentence which contains all the letters of the alphabet is called a ‘pangram’. There are many pangrams; in fact, if you are in the mood, you can create one of your own. The most famous pangram is the following: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lady dog.”

I understand that in the old days when typists wished to check if all the keys were in working order, they invariably typed this sentence.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 09, 2007

What is the meaning of ‘tour de force’?

This is an expression that comes from French, and is mainly used to show emphasis. When you call someone’s speech or performance a ‘tour de force’, what you mean is that it was outstanding; it was very well done. It is something that is unlikely to be equalled by others.

Example: The ageing actor’s performance as the drunken father is a tour de force.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 09, 2007

What is the difference between ‘pain’ and ‘ache’?

Both words can be used to refer to any bodily discomfort that an individual may feel. Of the two, ‘pain’ is the more general term. The pain that you feel in some part of the body may be intense, or it may be mild; similarly, its duration could be either long or short. If you hit your thumb with a hammer, the pain could last for a few seconds, or for several days.

Usually, ‘pain’ implies something that comes on suddenly. When you bump into the wall, you feel ‘pain’ and not ‘ache’. The pain that you feel could be local — over a small area — or it could be widespread.
Ache, on the other hand, is usually associated with a particular part of the body; we often talk of a toothache, headache and stomachache. When we get any of these aches, they usually last for some time. They don’t disappear in a matter of minutes.

An ache, therefore, is usually long lasting. Another difference is that the discomfort that one experiences is not as intense as ‘pain’; some dictionaries define ‘ache’ as ‘dull pain’.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 25, 2007

What is the meaning of ‘excuse my French’?

Very often, when people get angry, they swear. They use many vulgar words which they wouldn’t normally use. When you say ‘excuse my French’, what you mean is that you are sorry that you have sprinkled your conversation with words which are considered impolite. You are apologising for swearing in the presence of those who might be offended by it. The expression ‘pardon my French’ has the same meaning. Why the French, and not the Germans or Russians? The answer is fairly simple. The English hated the French; they thought that the French were vulgar people who swore all the time. Therefore, when an Englishman says, ‘pardon my French’, what he means is that he is going to behave crudely like a Frenchman!

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 25, 2007 

What is the meaning of ‘hasta la vista’?

The expression is from Spanish and it means ‘see you later’ or ‘good bye’. ‘Hasta la vista’ became quite popular among native speakers of English thanks to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s blockbuster, ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’. In this sequel, Schwarzenegger, who plays a cyborg from the future, keeps saying ‘Hasta la vista baby’.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 25, 2007 

Is it ok to say, ‘I have a head-bath every Saturday’?

This is an expression that is commonly heard in India; not many dictionaries include ‘head-bath’ – the few that do, state that the word is mainly used in South Asia. Native speakers of English don’t use this word, and probably won’t understand what you mean by it. When a native speaker of English talks about taking a ‘bubble bath’, what he means is that he is going to get into a bathtub which is full of water and soap bubbles.
So when you tell him that you are going to have a head-bath, he might get the impression that you are going to get into a tub which is full of heads! Just kidding! Native speakers wouldn’t say ‘I have a head-bath every Saturday’; instead, they would say, ‘I wash my hair every Saturday.’

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 25, 2007 

What is the meaning of ‘diem’?

This is a word that comes from Latin, and it means ‘day’. The word is used in English in certain fixed expressions like ‘carpe diem’ and ‘per diem’.

Of the two, ‘per diem’ is much more common in India, especially in Government circles. It means ‘per day’; when employees of the government are sent on official duty to other places, they are paid a daily allowance. This is called per diem, and it is given to an individual to meet his daily expenses. Carpe diem means ‘seize the day’

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 18, 2007  

‘for Pete’s sake’

The expression ‘for Pete’s sake’ is mostly used in speech to indicate surprise, anger, or disgust. It has the same meaning as ‘for heaven’s sake’ ‘for goodness sake’, ‘for God’s sake’, ‘for pity’s sake’, etc.
*For Pete’s sake, don’t just stand there like an idiot. Give me a hand.
Nowadays, it is very common to hear people say, ‘god dammit’ or ‘what the hell’ when they are angry or exasperated.

 In the old days, people were not allowed to take the Lord’s name in vain; they were punished if they did so.
In order to avoid swearing, people began to make use of euphemisms — mild and less harsh sounding expressions. According to scholars, ‘for Pete’s sake’ is one such euphemism — it’s often referred to as ‘minced oath’. The ‘Pete’ refers to St. Peter.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 18, 2007  

What is the difference between ‘ex’ and ‘former’?

Careful users of the language lament the fact that not many people maintain a distinction between these two words. If you are in the habit changing jobs every two months, you will have several ‘former bosses’, but only one ‘ex-boss’. What is the difference between the two?

Some scholars argue that the word ‘ex’ should be used with the ‘immediate past incumbent’. Your previous boss is your ex-boss, and the ones you had before him are your former bosses. Vajpayee is the ex-Prime Minister of India. Nehru, V. P. Singh, Indira Gandhi, and Gujral, some of the others who preceded Vajpayee, are all ‘former’ Prime Ministers of India.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 18, 2007  

How is the word ‘curmudgeon’ pronounced?

The ‘u’ in the first syllable and the ‘eo’ in the last syllable are pronounced like the ‘a’ in ‘china’. The second ‘u’ is like the ‘u’ in ‘cut’, ‘hut’, and ‘but’, while the ‘dg’ that follows is pronounced like the ‘j’ in ‘jam’, ‘jeep’, and ‘juice’. The main stress is on the second syllable. This is one way of pronouncing the word. Some people pronounce the ‘ur’ in the first syllable like the ‘ur’ in ‘burn’ and ‘burst’.

When you call someone a curmudgeon, what you mean is that you are not particularly fond of the individual because he is bad tempered. The word is considered to be rather old fashioned, and is usually used with men.
Example: Rahul decided to resign because he couldn’t put up with his new boss, a terrible old curmudgeon.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 18, 2007 

‘Fish story’

A fish story is a tall tale. In other words, a great big lie.
Examples: Politicians are good at telling fish stories. *  “Do you seriously expect me to believe that fish story?”

Origin: Fishermen always have interesting stories to tell about the fish that they didn’t catch. In the stories that they tell, the fish that gets away is always very big. Hence the expression `fish story’.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 11, 2007

“Smarts”

The word `smarts’ is used in informal contexts to mean `intelligence’ or `expertise.”
Examples: “Can I say, I’ve have the smarts to do the job?” * “Ram is going to start his own business! Does he have the smarts to do that?” * If I were you, I would talk to Bala. He has the smarts to figure out what to do next.”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 11, 2007  

‘green around the gills’ / `blue around the gills’

Examples: “Is something wrong? You look a little green around the gills.” * “I’m feeling green around the gills. I’d better step outside and get some fresh air.”
When you say that someone is green around the gills, what you mean is that he/she looks out of sorts. In other words, the person looks sick or unwell. The person feels like throwing up.
It’s possible to say `blue around the gills’ as well. It means the same thing.
Example: “Ever since eating the chocolate cake, I’ve been feeling a little blue around the gills.” * “I’ve been feeling blue around the gills since this morning.”

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 11, 2007 

“fifth wheel”

This is an expression mostly used in American English. A fifth wheel is a person or a thing that is not required.
In other words, the person is the unwanted extra. He is like the fifth wheel of a car that already has four good ones, and is therefore unnecessary
Example: “The team already has two very good off spinners. I feel like a fifth wheel.”

“It is also possible to say, `third wheel’.”
Example: “Lavanya is just a third wheel around here. Why don’t you send her home?”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 11, 2007  

What is the difference between `cool down’ and `cool off’?

The two phrasal verbs have more or less the same meaning. When something `cools down’ or `cools off’, it becomes cooler than what it was earlier. In other words, the temperature drops a little bit. During summer, when it cools down, things seem a little more pleasant.
*It was well past midnight before it started to cool off/cool down.

The two expressions can be used with people as well. When you say that someone has cooled down/cooled off, what you mean is that he has become less angry.
*There’s no point talking to you now. Go to your room and cool off.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 4, 2007  

`damp squib’

When your favourite film star’s movie is released, you go to the theatre with great expectations. You think that the film is going to be great, and you are going to have a wonderful time. Sometimes, the film doesn’t meet your expectations, and you feel a sense of disappointment; you feel terribly let down. In such a context, you can say that the movie was a damp squib — in other words, it failed to live up to your expectations.

*For the majority of Indians, the World Cup turned out to be a damp squib.

We all know what damp means — it means `wet’. A `squib’ is a firecracker. We know from experience that when a damp firecracker is lit, it will not explode. How do we feel when it doesn’t? Terribly disappointed.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 4, 2007   

How is the word `boulevard’ pronounced?

The `ou’ in the first syllable is like the `oo’ in `cool’, `pool’, and `fool’; the following `e’ is like the `a’ in `china’. The final `ar’ sounds like the `ar’ in `bar’, `par’, and `tar’. In American English, the `ou’ is pronounced like the `u’ in `put’, `pull’, and `full’. In both cases, the stress is on the first syllable.

The word is used to refer to a street or a road that is lined with trees on both sides. In the U.S, however, any broad road can be referred to as `boulevard’.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 4, 2007   

`smell blood’

When someone you are competing against begins to exhibit a weakness, what would you do? You would make use of the weakness to your advantage. This is what the expression `to smell blood’ means — to make use of someone’s weakness or problems to your advantage. It is also possible to say `scent blood’.
*When our main bowler was injured, the opposition began to smell/scent blood.

When a shark smells blood, it goes into a frenzy. It attempts to find out where the smell is coming from. It tries to locate its prey making use of its amazing senses, and when it finds the wounded animal, it attacks. The wounded animal is at a disadvantage, and the shark makes use of this weakness to kill it.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 4, 2007 

What is the difference between `I’ll meet you in the mall’ and `I’ll meet you at the mall’?

The first sentence implies that you are going to meet the person inside the building. Where exactly inside the mall you are going to meet the individual, we don’t really know. All that we know is that the meeting is going to take place inside. When someone informs you that he will meet `at’ the mall, you are not really sure whether it is inside or outside the building. It could be either.


 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 28, 2007 

`spill the beans’

This is an expression that is very popular in American English; it is mostly used in informal contexts.
When you `spill the beans’, you unintentionally reveal a secret. The expression has more or less the same meaning as `let the cat out of the bag’.

Example: As expected, Sashi spilled the beans about Hari’s surprise party.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 28, 2007 

What is the difference between `damsel’ and `spinster’?

A `damsel’ is a young, unmarried woman; the word is mostly used in literary contexts, and is considered rather old fashioned. A much more common word nowadays is `bachelorette’. By the way, the first syllable of `damsel’ is pronounced like the word `dam’, and the `s’ that follows is like the `z’ in `zoo’ and `zip’. The main stress is on the first syllable.
A `spinster’, unlike a damsel, is usually middle aged or old. She is someone who has never married and her chances of getting married are remote. A damsel is single for the time being; she may choose to marry later on.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 28, 2007 

What is the meaning of `eleemosynary’?

First, let’s deal with the pronunciation. There are several ways of pronouncing this word. The simplest way is to pronounce the first `e’ like the `e’ in `set’, `pet’, and `let’; the following `ee’ like the `ee’ in `feel’, `peel’, and `heel’. The `o’ sounds like the `o’ in `hot’, `pot’, and `dot’, and the `y’ like the `i’ in `hit’, `pit’, and `sit’. The final `a’ is like the `a’ in `china’, and the main stress is on the third syllable `mos’. Remember, this is just one of the ways of pronouncing the word.

Not all dictionaries include this word. Eleemosynary is mostly used in formal contexts, and it means relating to charity or the giving of alms.
Example: We intend to provide eleemosynary assistance to the poor in our neighbourhood.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 28, 2007 

How are the words `drought’ and `draught’ pronounced?

The `gh’ in `drought’ is silent; the word rhymes with `doubt’, `shout’, and `pout’. The `gh’ in `draught’, on the other hand, is pronounced like the `f’ in `fish’, `feet’, and `foul’. `Draught’ is pronounced like the word `draft’. In American English, `draught’ is spelt `draft’.

We all know what `drought’ means; it’s the period when we have continuous dry weather, and as a result, we don’t have enough water to meet our needs. Drought and famine are very common in some parts of Africa.

A `draught’, on the other hand, is the unwanted current of air that comes into a place. For example, during winter nights, cold air manages to get into the house even when we have all the doors and windows closed.

*I could feel the cold draught coming through the wooden walls.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 28, 2007  

What is the meaning of `win-win situation’?

In a dispute, there are two parties involved. Usually, one side wins and the other loses. In a win-win situation there are no losers; the result is such that both sides get the impression that they have won. The two sides are happy with the outcome of the dispute; each side feels it has emerged victorious.

Example: It is important that you come up with a win-win situation.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 21, 2007 

What is the meaning and origin of `doubting Thomas’?

A `doubting Thomas’ is a sceptic; the expression is used to describe someone who demands proof before he believes or accepts anything.
Example: Balagopal is a real doubting Thomas. He wouldn’t believe that the new house was mine till I showed him the documents.

When St. Thomas was informed that Christ had risen from the dead, he refused to believe it. He demanded physical proof of Jesus’ resurrection. It was only when he saw Jesus with his own eyes and touched His wounds did he believe what he had been told. According to scholars, the expression began to be used in the late 19th century. The earlier expressions that were commonly used were `wavering Thomas’ and `unbelieving Thomas’.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 21, 2007 

What is the meaning of `Someone rules’?

When you say that someone rules, what you mean is that he is the best. He is king. This is an expression that is mostly used in informal contexts.

Example: When it comes to playing on clay, Nadal rules.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 21, 2007 

What is the difference between `look over’ and `overlook’?

When you overlook something, you ignore it or fail to see it. In other words, it is possible for one to overlook something or someone accidentally or deliberately. By the way, the main stress in this word is on `look’.

*The fast bowler had been overlooked again. The selectors were unwilling to give a reason.

The word `overlook’ also means to give a view of a place from above.

For example, Vinita is pretty excited because her room overlooks a beautiful lake.

When you look something or someone over, you very quickly examine the object or person. *The writer asked a couple of his friends to look over the article.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 21, 2007

How is the word `wind’ in the expression `long winded’ pronounced?

The `i’ in `winded’ is like the `i’ in `kid’, `did’ and `bid’, and the stress is on the first syllable. The word is pronounced like the noun `wind’, the strong breeze that sometimes blows before the evening rain.

When you say that someone’s speech was `long winded’, what you mean is that the person wasted a lot of time getting to the point. The speaker used too many words, and as a result the speech turned out to be tediously long. The expression `long winded’ can also be used to talk about things that have been written.

*The CEO gave a long-winded speech about the importance of family.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 21, 2007

How is the word “parsimonious” pronounced?

The “a” in the first syllable is like the “a” in “bath”, “path”, and “cast”; the “i” in the second and fourth syllables sound like the “i” in “it”, “bit”, and “kit”. The “o” is pronounced like the “o” in “go”, “no”, and “so”; while the final “ou” is like the “a” in “china”. The main stress is on the third syllable “mo”. The word is mostly used in formal contexts.
When you say that someone is `parsimonious’, what you mean is that the individual is very careful about how he uses the resources that are at his disposal. It could be money or anything else.

Example: *If we are parsimonious now, we won’t have to depend on our children later on.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 14, 2007.  

What is the meaning of “to work one’s fingers to the bone”?

When you say that you have been working or wearing your fingers to the bone, what you mean is that you have been working very hard for a long time. You have been putting in such an effort that you have managed to work the skin and flesh off your fingers. There is no skin or flesh left, only bones.

Example:I’ve been working my fingers to the bone trying to get the room ready for the guests.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 14, 2007.  

What is the meaning of “supranational”?

“Supra” means “above” or “beyond”. When you say that something is supranational, what you mean is that it goes beyond national boundaries. The United Nations and NATO are supposed to be supranational organisations. What this means is that these organisations involve more than one country, and their power or authority extends beyond the borders of individual countries.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 14, 2007.  

Difference: “prophecy” and “prophesy”

The first word is a noun and the second is a verb.

There are other pairs like this in English: advice (n), advise (v); practice (n), practise (v); device (n), devise (v), etc. The “o” in “prophecy” is like the “o” in “cot”, “hot” and “lot”, and the following “ph” is like the “f” in “fish”, “feel” and “fast”. The “e” in the second syllable and the final “y” are like the “i” in “bit”, “hit” and “sit”. In the case of the verb, the final syllable is pronounced differently. The “y” sounds like “y” in “my” and “by”. In both cases, the main stress is on the first syllable.

Examples: When an individual prophesises, he is predicting what is likely to happen in the future. *Some of the prophecies she made over twenty years ago have come true. *They have prophesised that the ruling party will lose the elections.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 14, 2007. 

‘waltz through something’ / ‘something is a waltz’

When you waltz through something, you get through it very easily.
The waltz  is a dance.
Examples: The Indians thought they would waltz through to the Super Eight.

When you say that something is a waltz, what you mean is that it is very easy to do.
Examples: The Indians thought that the game against Bangladesh would be a waltz. * “We thought watering the garden would be a waltz. But it turned out to be real hard work”.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 07, 2007 

“bad hair day”

When you tell someone that you’ve been having a bad hair day, what you mean is that you’ve been having a bad day. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with your hair.

Example: Ever since the debacle in the World Cup, it’s been one bad hair day after another for our overpaid underachievers.”

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 07, 2007 

Difference: “Hoard” and “horde”

Both rhyme with `board’, `cord’, and `ford’.
When you hoard something, you store it away for future use. This is often done very secretively. The word is usually used to show disapproval.
Examples: “In our country, it is common practice among merchants to hoard rice especially when there is a shortage” * “Squirrels hoard nuts for the winter, and misers hoard money.”

Horde means a very large gathering of people. It is usually an excitable crowd, often unpleasant. Like `hoard’, this word is also used to show disapproval.
Example: “Hordes of fans went to the stadium to greet Sachin on his birthday.”

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 07, 2007 

When do you use `how ever’?

Don’t confuse `how ever’ with `however’. `How ever’ occurs mostly in questions. The word `ever’ is used to give emphasis to various expressions. It is used to indicate surprise, admiration, anger, etc.
*How ever did you manage to get the tickets for the movie?

The word `ever’ is used to add emphasis to the question. Notice that even without the word `ever’, the questions would be grammatically correct. According to some scholars, `how ever’ in these questions has the same meaning as “how on earth”. “How on earth did you get a job as teacher?”

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 30, 2007 

What is the difference between “She’s ill” and “She’s been ill”?

When you say that someone is ill, what you are implying is that the individual is not well right now. At the moment, he is ill; you don’t know whether he was ill 15 or 20 minutes ago. The only thing you can be sure about is the fact that he is ill right now. `Has been ill’ suggests that the individual has been unwell for some time. As to how long he has been unwell, one can’t really say. The construction suggests that the individual was unwell sometime ago, and still continues to be unwell.

*The players are in Hyderabad. (Right now, the players are in Hyderabad)
*The players have been in Hyderabad. (They have been in Hyderabad for a while)

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 30, 2007 

`cynosure’

A cynosure is the centre of attraction; everyone is drawn to the person or object. Anything that can serve as a guide is a cynosure. The word is mostly used in formal contexts.

There are several ways of pronouncing this word. Some people pronounce the `cy’ like the `si’ in `sit’, `sip’ and sin’, and the following `o’ like the `a’ in `china’. The `s’ sounds like the `z’ in `zip’ and `zoo’, and the final `ure’ like the `ure’ in `pure’, and `cure’. The stress is on the first syllable. Others pronounce the `y’ in the first syllable like the `y’ in `my’ and `by’, and the `s’ in the third syllable like the `sh’ in `should’ and `sheep’.
Example: The young bride didn’t even realise that she was the cynosure of all eyes.

The word `cynosure’ comes from the Greek `kynosoura’ meaning `dog’s tail’. In ancient sailing charts, the North Star was referred to as `cynosure’ because sailors used it as a guide to navigate the seas.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 30, 2007 

“bury your head in the sand”

What happens when you `bury’ or `hide’ your head in the sand? The most obvious thing is that you won’t be able to see anything! If you can’t see anything, you will not know what is happening around you. When a person buries his head in the sand, he tries to run away from his problems; he refuses to even acknowledge that he has any. Instead of tackling the problem, he deliberately ignores it. By turning a blind eye to it, he hopes that somehow the danger or trouble will go away on its own! In other words, he is wishing it away; he doesn’t want to deal with it.

Example: You cannot continue to bury your head in the sand. We need a plan of action.

When an ostrich is in danger and doesn’t want to be detected, it stays low and stretches out its long neck along the ground. People thought the bird was trying to bury its head in the sand – it wasn’t!

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 30, 2007 

`obsolete’ and `junk’

First, let’s deal with the pronunciation of `obsolete’. The first syllable rhymes with `sob’, `cob’ and `mob’. The second `o’ is like the `a’ in `china’, and the final `lete’ rhymes with `neat’, `beat’, and `meat’. The main stress is on the final syllable `lete’. When you say that something is `obsolete’, what you mean is that it has gone out of fashion; it is outdated. It is no longer required or no longer in use because something new and better has taken its place. For example, computers have made typewriters obsolete; the `tonga’, which was quite popular once upon a time, has become obsolete.
Example: We don’t have spare parts for your computer. The model has become obsolete.

`Junk’, unlike the word `obsolete’, is mostly used in informal contexts. When you say that something is `junk’, what you mean is that it is worthless. The object is fit to be thrown away. Something that is new, but is of no value, can also be called `junk’. `Obsolete’, on the other hand, does not carry this meaning. The word merely suggests that the equipment has become outdated — it could be an outdated piece of equipment that still works. A piece of junk, on the other hand, could be an outdated piece of equipment which may or may not work. Either way, you want to throw it away. Not everyone throws away an obsolete piece of equipment.
Example: You’ve had that scooter for over 20 years now. Get rid of the junk.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 23, 2007

Which is correct? “The students had a difficulty in getting the books” or “The students had difficulty……?

The second sentence is correct; you do not normally say `had a difficulty’. The word `difficulty’ does not take the indefinite article `a’ before it. For example, we say, “The children had difficulty in understanding the accent.” We don’t say, “The children had a difficulty in understanding the accent.” It is possible to drop the word `in’ in the sentence.

Example: It rained heavily last night, and we had difficulty (in) finding a taxi.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 23, 2007 

`ifs and buts’

Very often when we tell children to do something, their standard reply is, “But can’t I do it later? I want to watch this match on TV!” — or something like that. They always try to put things off, and they provide all kinds of excuses as to why things should be postponed. They will keep arguing with you till they are blue in the face. When you tell someone that you don’t want any `ifs and buts’, what you mean is that you want them to stop arguing and do what they have been told to. It’s your way of telling them to get on with their job. You don’t want to hear any more excuses.

Example: I don’t want to hear any ifs and buts. You are not wearing that dress to the party.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 23, 2007

Why are street vendors sometimes referred to as `costermongers’?

The word `costermonger’ is mainly used in British English to refer to someone who sells fresh fruit, vegetables and fish on the street. `Monger’ means `seller or trader’; `coster’, on the other hand, is actually a corruption of an old English word `costard’, meaning `apple’. A `costardmonger’ was someone who sold apples on the street.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 23, 2007 

`dichotomy’

Pronunciation: The first syllable `di’ is pronounced like the word `die’; the following `chot’ sounds like the word `cot’. The `o’ that follows is like `a’ in `china’, and the final `y’ is like the `i’ in `kit’ and `bit’. The main stress is on the second syllable `chot’. When you say that there is a dichotomy between two things, what you mean is that there is a big difference between them. The two are so different that they seem to be the complete opposite. The word `dichotomy’ is mostly used in formal contexts.

Example: What most students don’t realise is that there is a dichotomy between theory and practice.

The word comes from the Greek `dikhotomia’ meaning, `cut in two’.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 16, 2007 

`willy-nilly’

Pronunciation:  The first syllables of the two words sound like `will’ and `nil’ respectively. The final `y’ in both cases is pronounced like the `i’ in `bit’ and `sit’. The main stress is on `nil’.
When you do something `willy-nilly’, you do it under compulsion. You do it whether you like it or not; you don’t really have a choice regarding the matter.
Example: Be careful. Otherwise, you will be dragged, willy-nilly, into the fight.

The expression can also be used to mean doing something in a careless or disorganised manner; doing it without any prior planning.
Example: The students rushed in and threw their bags willy-nilly into the storeroom.
The expression is a contraction of `will ye, nill ye’. `Nill’, a word that we no longer use, meant `to be unwilling’.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 16, 2007

`ne plus ultra’

The expression comes from Latin, and it means, `not further beyond’. The ancient Greeks believed that this was the expression that was inscribed on the Strait of Gibraltar – then called, `Pillars of Hercules’. The inscription was meant to warn sailors not to go any further westwards. If they did, they would be sailing into unknown territory – the uncharted waters of the Atlantic.
Nowadays, `ne plus ultra’ is used to mean the highest level of excellence, something that is close to perfection. The “e” in “ne” is pronounced like the “ay” in “way”, “hay”, and “ray”, while the “u” in “ultra” sounds like the “u” in “cut”, “hut”, and “but”.

Here is an example. *Bala’s career with the organisation reached its ne plus ultra when he was appointed Managing Director.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 16, 2007 

`three dog night’

According to some scholars, the expression comes from Down Under. Cowboys spend a lot of their time outdoors looking after animals. During cold winter nights when the temperature dips, the men often cuddle up with their dogs to keep warm. When it is slightly cold, they need the body heat of only one animal to keep warm; such a night is referred to as `one dog night’. When it becomes extremely cold, the men may need three dogs to keep warm. Such an extremely cold night is referred to as `three dog night’. This practice of embracing dogs for body warmth was quite common among the Australian Aborigines.

*Take extra blankets. According to the forecast, it’s going to be a three dog night.

`Three Dog Night’ is also the name of an American rock and roll band. They were quite popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 16, 2007 

How is the word `schedule’ pronounced?

The word is pronounced differently depending on which side of the Atlantic you are from. The British pronounce the `sched’ like the word `shed’; the following `ule’ sounds like the word `Yule’. The Americans, on the other hand, pronounce the `sch’ like the `sk’ in `skip’ and `skin’. The `d’ that follows sounds like the `j’ in `jam’ and `jazz’. The final `ule’ rhymes with `cool’ and `pool’. In both cases, the stress is on the first syllable.
Example: Raj was disappointed because nothing went according to schedule.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 09, 2007 

`to be called on the carpet’

When you are called on the carpet, you are usually questioned by someone in authority. In most cases, you are rebuked and are held accountable for a mistake or an offence.

Example: The students were called on the carpet for cheating in the exam.

In the old days, most offices did not have a carpet. Only the most important people in the organisation were given one. Therefore, when you say that someone was called on the carpet, what you mean is that a person in a subordinate position was called to the boss’ room to face the music. The person literally stood on the carpet while the boss gave him a piece of his mind.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 09, 2007 

`in a snit’

When you are extremely agitated or irritated about something, you are said to be in a snit. The expression `in a snit’ can also be used to mean `in an angry mood’. It carries the suggestion that you are being unreasonably angry or annoyed. `Snit’ is mostly used in informal contexts. As for the origin, no one is really sure where the word comes from.

Example: “The children were in a snit because I refused to let them watch the match”.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 09, 2007 

What is the meaning of `Red-corner notice’?

What happens when a criminal from India evades arrest and flees to another country? How do we get the person back so that he can stand trial here? In such cases, the country gets in touch with Interpol and asks it to issue a Red-corner notice. If the government knows in which country the criminal is hiding, it asks Interpol to issue the Red-corner notice to that country. A `Red-corner notice’ is an arrest warrant circulated by Interpol on behalf of the government of a particular country. It is a request from one country to another to arrest and deport the wanted individual. In the old days, we had `wanted’ posters. Nowadays, we have Red-corner notices.

Interpol issued a Red-corner notice for the gang leader in 2001.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 09, 2007 

Why do pilots shout `Mayday, Mayday’ when they are in trouble?

When a pilot is in serious trouble and wishes to let air-traffic control know that he has a problem, he usually shouts, `Mayday, Mayday, Mayday’. The term is always shouted three times in a row. The expression `Mayday’ has been used as an international distress signal in radio communications since 1927. `Mayday’ has nothing to do with the month of May. The expression comes from the French `m’aider’, which is the shortened form of `venez m’aider’, meaning `come help me’.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 09, 2007 

“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

The expression means if you can’t handle a difficult situation, then leave. In other words, if somebody can’t handle the pressure, they should just quit.
Example: The students argued that the course was too demanding. The teachers said that if they couldn’t stand the heat, they should get out of the kitchen.”
Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 02, 2007 

‘someone in the dog house’

When you say that a person is in the doghouse, what you mean is that others are annoyed with him because of something that he has done.
For example, when a man forgets his wife’s birthday, he’s really in the doghouse. * The children were in the doghouse because they broke a couple of window panes while playing cricket.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 02, 2007 

‘Feel blue’ or `in a blue funk’

‘Feel blue’ means feeling sad or depressed.
And that’s what the expression `in a blue funk’ also means.
For example, Tara has been in a blue funk ever since she lost her job. * “There’s no point in going into a blue funk whenever our team loses. Our overpaid underachievers seldom win.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 02, 2007 

“Bad-mouth”

When you bad-mouth someone or something, you say bad things about the person or thing.
For example, “My neighbour bad-mouths politicians all the time.”

The expression `bad-mouth’ can also be used as a noun. A bad-mouth is someone who speaks ill of others.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -April 02, 2007

`squirrel something away’ and `squirrel out of something’

Squirrels spend most of their summer getting ready for the winter. They gather nuts and hide them away so that they can eat them when food becomes scarce. So, when you say that someone has `squirreled something away’, what you mean is that he has hidden or stored something away in order to use it later on.
Example: I’m told that Rajesh has been squirreling away money for several years now.

When you succeed in `squirreling out of something’, you manage to escape doing what you were supposed to do. You get out of a situation you do not wish to be in.
Examples: *Babu will do anything he can to squirrel out of going to the dentist. *Listen to me! You have to do it. Don’t you dare try to squirrel out of it.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -March 26, 2007

`out of kilter’

The expression, mostly used in British English, has several different meanings. When you say that a machine is out of kilter, what you mean is that it is not in proper working order. It is malfunctioning.
Example: Our TV has been out of kilter for the past two weeks.

Other expressions which have more or less the same meaning are `on the blink’ and `out of whack’.
Example: Our old tape recorders are out of whack. They need to be replaced.

When you say that someone’s opinion is `out of kilter’, what you mean is that it is different from those of others.
Example: The president’s views were out of kilter with public opinion.

As for the origin, well, no one is really sure where the expression comes from.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -March 26, 2007

Difference between `hat’ and `cap’

Both are used to cover the head of an individual.

Caps usually fit tightly around the head, and they don’t have a brim — a flat edge that goes all around a hat. A cap is usually made of soft material, and is equipped with a visor in the front.

Hats, on the other hand, are grander than caps. They vary in shape and are usually worn on formal occasions; caps are never worn to official functions such as state dinners.

Both men and women have been wearing hats for a long time. In fact, a couple of centuries ago, a married woman had to wear a hat when she went out — this was to let people know that she was married. Single women, on the other hand, were allowed to go hatless.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -March 26, 2007

How is the word `naïve’ pronounced?

The word consists of two syllables. The `a’ is pronounced like the `uy’ in `guy’ and `buy’; the `i’ that follows sounds like the `ee’ in `fees’, `bees’, and `sees’. The final `e’ is silent, and the stress is on the second syllable `iv’. This is just one of the ways of pronouncing the word.

When you say that someone is `naïve’, what you mean is that the person is very trusting. He is very inexperienced, and as a result, he doesn’t know very much about the ways of the world. He willingly believes everything that people tell him.

*Jai is naïve enough to believe that politicians are really interested in helping people.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) -March 26, 2007

`dark horse’

In the context of sports, when you say someone is a dark horse, what you mean is that very little is known about the person’s ability. Since people don’t know how well the individual plays, chances are, he may end up surprising his opponents — he may even end up winning the tournament!

*According to my favourite columnist, there are two or three dark horses in the tournament. *Sanjay is a dark horse for a medal in the 200 metres event.

The expression comes from the world of horse racing. I understand that when placing a bet on a horse, punters (people who bet on horses) take into account the animal’s lineage and its win-loss record. If this information is not available, then the bettors have no way of knowing what the strengths and weaknesses of the animal are. They are kept in the `dark’ about the capability of the animal. Such a horse is known as a `dark horse’. The expression was first used by Disraeli in his novel, `The Young Duke’.

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

`white paper’

A `white paper’ is an official report, in which the government outlines its policy on an issue of current concern. The report is usually not very bulky, and it is made available to the public. Such a report began to be called `white paper’ because it was bound in paper of that colour. A couple of weeks ago, a judge said that corrupt individuals must be hanged from lamp posts. Since there are some people of questionable reputation in Parliament, it would be interesting to see if the government brings out a white paper regarding this matter.

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

Is it OK to say, `It was a good movie indeed’?

We often hear sentences like this. People who are fond of grammar, however, would frown at such a sentence. They would argue that the sentence would have been grammatically acceptable if the word `indeed’ had come immediately after the verb `was’ – `It was indeed a good movie’.

Similarly, it is OK to say, `The behaviour of the students was indeed bad’, but not `The behaviour of the students was bad indeed.’ If you wish to have `indeed’ at the end of these sentences, then you need to put the word `very’ in front of the adjective good/bad.

*It was a very good movie indeed.

*The behaviour of the students was very bad indeed.

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

What is the opposite of `feminist’?

A feminist, in simplistic terms, is someone who advocates equal rights for women. A man who believes that men should have the same rights as women is called a `hominist’. This is not a new word. George Bernard Shaw coined it in 1903 in his preface to `Man and Superman’. Another word that is commonly used now is `masculinist’.

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

Difference in meaning between `sicken at’ and `sicken of’?

Sometimes, the very thought of something makes you sick; you are horrified or repulsed by it. That’s what the expression `sicken at’ means.

*The children sickened at the idea of having to clean public toilets.

When you `sicken of’ something, you get bored or tired of it. In other words, you get sick of it. It is also possible to sicken of a person.

*Many students were beginning to sicken of the strike.

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

What is the reply to the question `You didn’t’ like him, eh?’ Should it be `No, I didn’t’ or `Yes, I didn’t'?

If you would like to agree with the speaker, and say that you did not like the person, then the standard reply to the question is, `No, I didn’t’. You do not say, `Yes, I didn’t like him.’ If you wish to indicate agreement with a negative statement, you normally say, `No’, and not `Yes’.

*Your sister is not an easy person to work with, is she? No, she isn’t.

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

`nook and cranny’

The word `nook’ rhymes with `hook’, `book’, and `cook’. Since the 14th century, the word has been used to refer to a remote corner or secluded spot. The `a’ in `cranny’ is like the `a’ in `apple’, `ant’, and `add’. A `cranny’ is a crack or an opening of some kind — for example, a crack in the wall can be referred to as a `cranny’. When you say that you have looked for something in every nook and cranny, what you mean is that you have looked for it everywhere.

*The children looked for the ball in every nook and cranny, but they couldn’t find it.

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

`brusque’

Pronunciation: There are different ways of pronouncing this word. The Americans pronounce the `u’ like the `u’ in `cut’, `hut’, and `but’, while the British pronounce it like the `oo’ in `cool’, `fool’, and `pool’. The final `que’, in both cases, is pronounced like the `sk’ in `mask’, `task’, and `flask’.

When you say that someone’s behaviour is `brusque’, what you mean is that the person is rather curt — in other words, rude or rough. The person doesn’t say much, but when he speaks, he sounds rude.

Example: Don’t worry! I’m not going to be put off by his brusque replies.

The word `brusque’ comes from the Italian `brusco’ meaning `sour’ or `sharp’. The same word was also used to refer to a prickly plant (`butcher’s broom’). Perhaps it was in this sense that `brusque’ was used when it was borrowed into English — someone as disagreeable as the butcher’s broom.

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

`murfing’

Very often when we surf the Net for information, we end up visiting sites that we don’t really need to. We spend a lot of time moving from one site to another because we find the contents rather interesting — though they may not provide us with the information that we actually need! This aimless surfing of the Net that we indulge in is called `murfing’.

Examples: Uma spent the afternoon murfing `diabetes’, and ended up learning more about dowry deaths.

Today, the word has taken on an additional meaning. `Murfing’ is seen as a combination of `mobile’ and `surfing’. With advances in technology, it is now possible to surf the Net on your mobile phone
Note: The columnist’s comments were published in 2007 when the Mobile surfing was just emerging…

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

`forbear’ and `forebear’

`Forebear’ is a noun, and `forbear’ is a verb. It is also possible to spell the noun, `forbear’. When used as a noun, the word means `ancestor’; the stress, in this case, is on the first syllable. The word is considered literary.

Example: Thiru has every intention of returning to the land of his forebears.

When used as a verb, `forbear’ means `refrain from’. In this case, the stress is on the second syllable, `bear’. The past tense of `forbear’ is `forbore’.

Example: The witness turned hostile and forbore to answer many of the questions.

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

`make no bones about it’

When you say that someone makes no bones about something, what you mean is that the person is very frank about it; he speaks plainly, and does not attempt to hide the truth. For example, if a person makes no bones about a scandal in his past, he talks about it candidly — at times, leaving the listener embarrassed!

Examples: The teachers made no bones about their dissatisfaction with the contents of the article. * Radha made no bones about her dislike for crossword puzzles.

Some scholars believe that the idiom comes from games played with `dice’. During the early 14th century, dice were made from bones; therefore, it comes as no surprise that the slang term for these small cubes was `bones’. I understand that even today, it is common practice among gamblers to talk to their dice and blow kisses on them before throwing them on the table. When a person makes `no bones about it’, he rolls the dice without really doing any of these things. In other words, he doesn’t plead with the dice to give him a particular number. This is just one of the explanations for the origin of the idiom.

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

Which is correct? - I think the team has a good chance of winning the tournament or ... the team have a good chance………?

Both are correct. It depends on how you view the team. If you think of the team as consisting of several individuals, then you use the plural `are’. If, on the other hand, you think of the members of the team as forming a single unit, then you use the singular `is’. `Committee’, `jury’, and `public’ are examples of nouns that can be used with both singular and plural verbs. Here are two more.

The government are hoping to lower the interest rates by next month. * My family wants me to go abroad and do a PhD.

‘Scintilla’

Scintilla means `an extremely small amount’.

The first syllable `scin’ is pronounced like the word `sin’, and the second is pronounced like the word `till’. The final `a’ is like the `a’ in `china’, and the main stress is on the second syllable.

Example: “I wouldn’t worry if I were you. There isn’t a scintilla of truth in what he is saying”.

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

Chunky

When you say that someone is `chunky’, what you mean is that the person is rather short and heavy. In other words, he is stocky.

For example, according to the coach, some of our superstars are chunky.

The word is normally used in informal contexts.

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

teeming with

When you say that the river is teeming with fish, what you mean is that the river is full of fish.* “In other words, `teeming with’ means in great numbers. It also means that the people or animals are moving around quite a bit.
Examples: ” I’m told that during summer, most hill stations are usually teeming with tourists.”

“It is also possible to use the expression `teem with’ figuratively. For example, Sujatha says her mind is teeming with ideas.”

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

8 August - Words I don't know starting With A - 7

Annuity - An annual allowance, payment or income
Annunciation - proclamation
anode - a point where or path by which a voltaic current enters an electrolyte of the like
anodyne - something that calms or soothes pain
anoint - to apply oil to esp. as a sacred rite
antagonism - mutual opposition or resistance or counteracting forces, principles or person
ante - in the game of poker, to put up a stake before the cards are dealt
antecede - to precede
antechamber - a waiting room for those who seek audience
antediluvian - prehistoric, ancient beyond measure
antemeridian - before noon
antemundane - pertaining to time before the world's creation
antepenultimate - third from last
anteroom - a room situated before and opening into another, usually larger
anthology - collection of literary works
anthracite - hard coal ...see more for  other forms of coals
antic - a grotesque, ludicrous or fantastic action
anticyclone - an atmospheric condition of high central pressure, with currents flowing outward
antilogy - inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas
antipathize - to show or feel a feeling of antagonism, dislike
antiphon - a response or alteration of response generally musical
antiphony - an anthem or other composition sung responsively
antipodes - a place or region on the opposite side of the earth
antiquary - one who collects and examines old things as coins, books, medals or weapons, etc
antiquate - to make old or out of date
antiquity - ancient times
antispasmodic - tending to prevent non inflammatory spasmodic affections

Variety of coal

Peat - Precursor of coal
lignite or brown coal - geographically youngest coal, with low carbon content
Sub-bituminous - coal with 35-40% carbon, but also causes low pollution due to low sulphur content
Bituminous -  is a dense sedimentary rock, usually black but sometimes dark brown , used in steel plants and electricity production
Steam coal is a grade between bituminous coal and anthracite
anthracite - coal with high carbon content (86% +) ...and is very hard coal

Another form of carbons -
graphite - technically the highest rank in carbon content, is difficult to ignite and is not commonly used as fuel — it is mostly used in pencils and, when powdered, as a lubricant.
diamond -