‘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