January 2006

Know your English

"Hey, come on in! How are things?" "Not very good, I'm afraid. My neighbour has been complaining to my dad about the noise we make when we play cricket." "I don't think your dad should take him very seriously. Your neighbour gripes about the kids in your building all the time." "Gripes about kids? Don't think I've heard that expression before. What does it mean?" "When you `gripe about something to someone' you complain constantly in an annoying sort of way. For example, Geetha is always griping to me about the lack of civic sense in our country." "So if my friend complains constantly, can I say, `Don't gripe to me about it. Tell the principal how you feel about the matter." "That's a good example. If Saurav hadn't griped about the coach to the media, he would have remained the captain of the Indian team." "You have a point there. Talking about captains, has your boss told you where the annual conference will be this year?" "No, our usual Friday meeting went on longer than expected. Most people were too tired to decide on a place. The matter was left up in the air for..." "Left up in the air? What does it mean?" "When you leave some matter up in the air, you leave it undecided." "I see. How about this example? My father can't take decisions very quickly. He leaves matters up in the air for months. It drives my mother crazy." "That's a good example. My boss, on the other hand, likes people to take quick decisions. Employees are discouraged from leaving something hanging in the air." "Hanging in the air? I thought you said... " "It has the same meaning as `leave something up in the air'." "I see. Take a decision now. I don't want you to leave it hanging in the air." "Good example." "O.K. Tell me, is it also possible to leave someone up in the air?" "Yes, it is. When you leave someone up in the air, you leave the person waiting for a decision. You don't tell him whether it's a `yes' or a `no'. For example, what do you mean you haven't taken a decision about my promotion? How long do you plan to leave me up in the air like this?"

"The Vice Chancellor said that he hadn't taken a decision about the demands. He left the students up in the air." "That's a good example. Don't do this to me, please. Don't leave me up in the air like this." "That's the kind of treatment we get in most government offices. Whenever we go to the municipal office, for example, we are usually left hanging. Most of the time you won't find anyone at the table." "That's true. If we had those kind of people in our office, my boss would ask them to either shape up or ship out." "Shape up or ship out? Does it mean behave yourself or just leave?" "That's right. When you tell someone to shape up or ship out, you are warning them that if they don't behave themselves, you will ask them to leave. In other words, you want them to meet your expectations. Here's an example. Nandini, you're constantly handing in your assignments late. Shape up or ship out." "This is the third time this month that our new driver has been involved in an accident. Tell him that he either shapes up or ships out." "I am sorry to say that your performance hasn't been up to the mark. Either you shape up or ship out." "You sound like my principal. He is such a... " "Stop griping to me about your principal." "Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but no one else does." Stewart Henderson Britt

Which is correct? `Blind in one eye' or `blind to one eye'?

(Paresh Baishya, Guwahati) When an individual has no vision in one eye, you say that he is blind in one eye. A person can be 'blind to something', but not 'blind to one eye'. When you say that someone is 'blind to something' what you mean is that he is unable or unwilling to accept the truth. The person does not see what is obvious to most other people. *For some reason, Thiru is completely blind to his Principal's faults.

What is the meaning and origin of `touch wood'?

(G. Venkatesh, Secunderabad) When after making a remark, you say `touch wood', you are hoping that the good fortune that you have had so far continues. The expression has the same meaning as `knock on wood'. *Our wicket keeper hasn't dropped a single catch all summer. Touch wood.

*The second hand scooter I bought recently hasn't given me any trouble. Knock on wood. There are several explanations as to the origin of this expression. According to some scholars, it comes from an old superstitious belief that knocking on a tree (wood) helped to drive away evil spirits. Another explanation is that `touch wood' was the name of a tag game that children played. The aim of the game was to run after your opponents and catch them. But if an individual was touching a tree (wood), then he was safe; he couldn't be `captured'.

What is the difference between `He is my best friend' and `He is a close friend'?
(S. Malavikka, Chennai) It is possible for you to have several `close' friends. When you say, `He is my best friend', it suggests that he is the individual who is the closest to you; it's this person with whom your share your most intimate thoughts.

What is the meaning of `et al'?

(A. Umar, Kadayanallur) First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The `et' is like the `et' in `set', `bet', and `pet'; the `a' in `al' is like the `a' in `ant', `apple', and `hat'. The main stress is on `al'. `Et al' comes from Latin and it is the abbreviated form of `et alia' meaning other people or other things. The expression is used after a name or a list of names to indicate that others are also involved. It is normally used to refer to books and articles written by more than one person. *For your next class, I would like you to read the article written by Balagopal et al.

How is the word `hegemony' pronounced?

(Vasanthi Rao, Cochin ) The `e' in the first syllable and the `y' in the final syllable are like `i' in `hit', `bit', and `pit'. The `gem' in the second is pronounced like the word `gem'. The `o' is like the `a' in `china' and the main stress is on the second syllable. This is one way of pronouncing the word. `Hegemony' is a formal word and is used to refer to a situation in which one group has more control or power than others.

What's the difference between `see through someone' and `look through someone'?
(G. Ramesh, Pillani) When you look through someone, you see the person, but pretend not to. As far as you are concerned he is not there, he doesn't exist. When you see through someone, you are able to figure out what the individual is up to. In other words, you understand what he is planning to do; what his intentions are even though the individual is trying his best to hide them. *Harish was able to see through Narender's scheme right from the beginning.

Is it OK to say, `He was given an yellow card'?

(D. Sridhar, Jamshedpur) No, it is not. Players are shown `a' yellow card, and not `an' yellow one. Many words beginning with the letter `y' are preceded by 'a'. For example, you say, `a young man', `a yard', and `a year'. "One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important." Bertrand Russell

Know Your English

"What's the matter with you? You don't look too happy." "It's our friend Sujatha again. I said `Hi' and she didn't even bother to respond." "She looked right through you, eh?" "Looked through me? How can she do that? She's not Superman, you know!" "In her case, Superwoman! When you look through someone, you ignore the person completely. You pretend as if he or she doesn't exist. It could be that you are thinking about something else and fail to notice the person in front of you." "I see. The last time I saw my cable operator, he looked right through me." "That's because you constantly complain about how poor the transmission is. When I attend weddings, some of my cousins look through me." "I can understand that. Who would want a cousin like you? But why should Sujatha look through me?" "Oh, don't worry about it. Ever since she won the first prize for her short story, she's been acting a bit strange. Someone must tell her to get off her high horse." "Get off her high horse? Does it mean to stop acting proud?" "Something like that. When you tell someone to get off his high horse, you are asking him to stop behaving or talking as if he were better than other people." "I see. So can I tell Sujatha, `Listen, we've been friends for a long time. Get off your high horse and talk to me'?" "You certainly can. But I seriously doubt... ." "Tell me, what is the connection between a horse and being proud?" "In the old days a person's status was determined by the size of the horse he rode. Tall horses were ridden by royalty and noblemen. So are you going to tell Sujatha to get off her high horse?" "No, I am very scared of her. Aren't you?" "No, I am not! And frankly, I don't give a hoot whether she talks to me or not."

"Not give a hoot! I think I've heard that expression before. Doesn't it mean not care one bit or something like that?" "Wow, you're in excellent form today! When you don't give a hoot about something, you don't care about it at all. I don't give a hoot whether the star is sent to jail or not." "The teacher doesn't give a hoot whether we come to class or not." "That's not being a very responsible teacher! Here's another example. My friend Ganpat gives a hoot whether our team does well or not in the tournament." "Your friend Ganpat is pretty strange. How is his new business doing?" "Not very well, I am afraid. Straight arrows like Ganpat never make good businessmen." "A straight arrow? What does it mean?" "When you refer to someone as being a straight arrow what you mean is that he is an honest person. Someone who follows all the laws." "If you want to run a business, you can't be a straight arrow." "Exactly! Your friend Raja is not a straight arrow. I just don't trust him." "What are you talking about? He is... ." "Relax, I was just giving an example. The expression `straight shooter' has the same meaning as `straight arrow'. Both are normally used in informal contexts." "I see. How about this example? We need to elect a straight shooter to office this time. This person needs to help us and not himself." "Straight shooters don't make good politicians." "Sad, but true. Most political parties avoid straight arrows." "Most politicians look right through them." "I'd much rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they are the first to be rescued off sinking ships." Gilda Radner

KNOW YOUR ENGLISH

"Why did you have to go? Your boss wasn't ordering you to." "What you don't understand is that sometimes my boss' request is tantamount to a command." "Tantamount? Don't think I have heard that word before. What does it mean?" "When you say that one thing is `tantamount' to another, you mean that the two are equivalent. They are ... "

"So what you are saying is that your boss' request is equivalent to a command!" "Yes, that's right! There is no difference between the two." "How about this example? The superstar's statement was tantamount to saying that actors and politicians are above the law." "In India they are, aren't they?" "Yes, they are. Met Sujatha on my way here, and as usual we had a fight." "What was it about?" "It was about the word `timings'. She said that it doesn't exist. I told her she was crazy." "She may be crazy, but she is right. You see... ." "What are you talking about? We talk about `Office timings' all the time." "True. But it's an Indianism. Native speakers would say, `working hours' or `office hours'. Anyway, what else did you and Sujatha talk about?" "About how dangerous train travel has become these days." "I guess the Railway Minister wants to make train travel as exciting as living in Bihar. You never know what is going to happen next." "That's exactly what Sujatha and I were discussing about. You see, when ... ." "You cannot say `discuss about'. You can `talk about something', but you `discuss something'. You do not `discuss about something'." "I see. Can we discuss this matter tomorrow? How does it sound?" "Sounds great! Here's another example. I am afraid you are all too tired to discuss the matter now. Let's wait till tomorrow. Tell me, why were the two of you talking about travelling by train?" "Because Sujatha is going to Patna next week. Official work, she said." "Take a train to Patna! She should sleep on it. You see, it ... ." "Sleep on it? Sleep on what? What are you talking about?" "When you tell someone to sleep on something, what you want him to do is to give the matter some thought before taking a decision." "I see. How about this example? I don't want you to give an answer right now. Sleep on it, and let me know tomorrow." "Good example. Chandu proposed to Malathi. She didn't give an answer immediately. She said that she would like to sleep on it."

"I think I understand how the expression `sleep on' is used. Tell me, we have `sleep on'. Do we have the expression `sleep in' as well?" "Yes, we do! The expression has several different meanings. When you `sleep in' you oversleep. For example, we have all slept in one time or the other." "My father missed the early morning flight because he slept in." "We were late for the appointment because the CEO slept in." "Well, if the CEO slept in, then I guess he can't blame anybody else. Anyway, what is the other meaning of `sleep in'?" "The expression can also be used to mean to get up late on purpose. For example, we completed our project at 3: 00 a.m on Friday. The members of the team decided to sleep in on Saturday." "Meaning that they will be getting up very late on Saturday?" "That's right! They may decide to spend most of the day sleeping." "That's what I would like to do. I would like to sleep in all weekend. Unfortunately, my parents think I should study." "A hair in the head is worth two in the brush." Don Herold

What is the meaning of `Beltway politics'?

(B. S. Sanjay, Bangalore) In American English the word `beltway' is used to refer to a road which goes around a city or town what we in India call a `ring road'. The `beltway' referred to in your question is the road that goes around Washington D. C., the capital of the United States. Beltway politics is normally used to talk about the dirty politics that goes on in Washington.

What is the meaning and origin of `get someone's goat'?

(Rishab, Vijaywada) When you get someone's goat, you succeed in annoying the individual or in making him rather angry. *Sometimes, Raja comes to work in jeans and a T-shirt. That really gets my goat. *Mohan's constant whining gets my goat. This idiom comes from the world of horse racing. I understand that horses are highly temperamental creatures. In order to keep their prized possession calm and relaxed, trainers often kept a goat as a stable companion for the horse. Goats do not get flustered very easily, and their presence in the stable had a calming influence on the horse. Since the goat was a constant companion, the horse became rather attached to the animal. In order to ensure that a particular horse didn't perform well in a big race, stable boys working for rival owners sometimes stole the goat the night before the big event. The absence of the goat made the horse moody, and as a result

it didn't perform well in the race. So when you say that someone has got your goat, you are comparing yourself to the horse, and not the goat.

What is the origin of `quiz'?

(G. Anil Kumar, Guntur) According to one theory, this word was coined and popularised overnight. The story goes that a theatre manager in Dublin by the name of James Daly took a bet with his friend that he could coin a new word and have everyone in the city using it or talking about it within twenty-four hours. Daly hired street children, gave them a stick of chalk each, and told them to write the word `quiz' (which didn't exist then) on any surface they could find. The children spent the night writing the word on walls and on roads. When the people of Dublin woke up the next morning, they found the word written everywhere. People began to talk about it and they all wanted to know what it meant. Of course, not everyone believes this to be the true origin of the word.

What is the difference between `nevertheless' and `however'?

(Sujatha Nellikode, Abu Dhabi) As far as the meaning is concerned, there is not much of a difference. The two can be used interchangeably in many contexts; `nevertheless' is considered to be more formal than `however'. Both words are used when you wish to emphasise that the second point you are making contrasts with the first. *He was very ugly to look at. However/nevertheless most girls wanted to marry him. *It was pouring; nevertheless/however our teacher made us walk all the way to the farmhouse.

Is it OK to say, `Yesterday night'?

(Medepalli Seshu, New Delhi) We find a lot of Indians saying, `I met him yesterday night.' Native speakers of English would probably frown upon this. It's okay to say, `yesterday morning/afternoon', but not `yesterday night'. You normally say, `last night'. For example, I met Dravid at the party last night.

What is the difference between `sell' and `sell out'?

(A. U. R. Kalyan, Tanuku) `Sell' is the opposite of `buy'. When you sell, you give something that you own in return for money. For example, you have individuals selling vegetables, audiotapes, and real estate. When you `sell out' something, you succeed in selling everything. *All the chairs and tables have been sold out. *Do you believe this? The tickets have been sold out. The expression `sell out' has other meanings as well. When you `sell someone out' you betray the individual.

*I think some of our politicians are selling our country out. *I certainly don't wish to sell you out. `Okay, so God made man first. But doesn't everyone make a rough draft before they make a masterpiece?' Courtney Huston

February 2006

What is the meaning of `step up to the plate'?

(G. Narasimhan, Chennai) This is an expression that comes from the world of baseball. The `plate' refers to `home plate'; the base a batter stands next to, as he gets ready to receive his first pitch. When a batter steps up to the plate, he is ready to deal with whatever the pitcher may decide to throw at him. In other words, he is ready for the challenges in store. *I don't think there is anyone among you who would willingly step up to the plate. *When it came to crunch time, Sujatha really stepped up to the plate.

What is the difference between `sparse' and `scarce'?

(K. Mridulatha, Bangalore) When you say that something is `sparse' what you mean is that there is very little of it and what little there is, is unevenly distributed. For example, when you talk about sparse vegetation, you are saying that the vegetation is thin, not thick, and this thin vegetation is distributed over a relatively large area. There is vegetation in some places, but not in all. *Thanks to the sparse traffic, we managed to cover the distance in two hours. *Why he wastes so much time on his sparse hair is beyond me. `Scarce', on the other hand, suggests that the shortage of the commodity is temporary. It is not permanent. Scarcity can be man made as well. For example, usually in our country, the day before the budget, petrol becomes scarce. *I understand that during the Second World War, chocolates became scarce.

What is the meaning of `sting operation'?

(R. Amit Kumar, Kanpur) Whenever we turn on the TV these days, we hear that some news channel has carried out a `sting operation' on an unsuspecting politician. The word `sting' has many different meanings. A well thought out scheme or plan used to trap criminals is called a sting. Using hidden cameras, news channels have succeeded in getting some of our not-so-beloved politicians to talk about how they use their official cars to carry drugs and how much they charge to raise question in Parliament. *The CBI came up with a well-planned sting and managed to nab many of the drug peddlers.

The word `sting' also means to `cheat' or `swindle' something that our politicians excel in doing. Isn't it only fair that after having cheated us, they get stung in return? You know what they say, what goes around, comes around!

How is the word `hoi polloi' pronounced?

(D. Chandran, Kozhikode) The `oi' in the two words is pronounced like the `oi' in `oil', `boil', and `toil'. The `o' in the first syllable of `polloi' is like the `a' in `china'. Both `hoi' and `loi' are stressed. In Greek `hoi' means `the' and `polloi' means `many'. The term is normally used to refer to the common people the working class. We are not thinking of the rich, or the highly educated class when we talk about the hoi polloi. Some people find this term offensive. Since the word `hoi' means `the', people who have studied Greek argue that we shouldn't say `the hoi polloi'. But `the hoi polloi' has become firmly established in English. *The entry fee was kept very high to keep the hoi polloi out.

Is it okay to say, "Every day they have wada and dosa during the midday?"
(S. Shanthi, Trichy) We know when we say `midday', we mean 12 o'clock in the afternoon. Since we are referring to a specific time in the afternoon, we should use `at' and not `during'. We should say, "They have wada and dosai" at midday. If you would like to use `during', then use `middle' rather than `midday'. *The clerk told us that the forms would be distributed at midday. *You'd better take a cap. It gets really hot during the middle of the day. "Please excuse Ronald from P.T for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip." Note from a mother

Know Your English

"Guess what? We have a new science teacher in school." "Yes, I heard about your Johnnie-come-lately. How is he?" "Johnnie-come-lately! What are you talking about? His name is not John." "I know that. A Johnnie-come-lately is someone who is new to a situation or position. It's an expression used mostly in informal contexts. For example, we have a Johnnie-come-lately in the finance department. He has no idea what the company does." "Well, our Johnnie-come-lately is a very nice man. And he seems to know how to handle students. He's very different from our principal." "One less person for you to complain about, I guess."

"That's true. I'm sure you're relieved. Hey, I heard that you finally went to see the hit movie yesterday. What did you think of it? It was very moving, wasn't it?" "Yes, it was a moving experience. It made me move out of my seat and... . out of the theatre." "You must be joking." "I'm not. I walked out after half an hour." "You mean to say that you didn't like the movie? I thought it was great." "You thought it was great. I thought it was syrupy." "Syrupy? What is that supposed to mean?" "When you say that something is syrupy, what you mean is that it is too sweet. It is rather sentimental. In other words, you dislike it." "The word is mostly used to show disapproval then?" "That's right. For example, girls generally go gaga over syrupy love stories." "No, they don't. Not nowadays, anyway. How about this example? I hate it when they make books into movies. The movie always turns out to be syrupy." "You have a point there. You know what they say. The book is always better than the movie." "The lyrics of this song are rather syrupy." "That's another good example. Now before we go any further, let's ... ." "Wait, wait. There's one thing that I've been meaning to ask you. What's the difference between `farther' and `further'?" "In some cases there is no difference." "Are you sure?" "Well, if you are thinking about distance, the two words can be used synonymously." "So, in a sentence like, `We need to drive ten miles further to reach our destination', we can use `farther' as well?" "Yes, that's right. Here's another example. The injured man walked a little further/farther along the path before he found someone who could help him." "They tell me that Vijayawada is further/farther away than Hyderabad." "What are you talking about? I just ... ." "It was just an example. That's all. So are you saying there is no difference between farther and further? None at all?"

"Of course, there is a difference. The word `further' can be used to mean `in addition' or `more'. `Farther' cannot be used in this way." "If you wish to have further discussions, please meet me in my office." "That's a good example. In such a context, you cannot use `farther'. The floods caused further damage to the old bridge." "I don't think we should discuss this matter any further." "Hey, that's a nice shirt. Where did you get it?" "Thanks. Cost me two hundred and fifty." "Two hundred and fifty rupees! That's a rip-off!" "Rip-off? You mean the shirt is torn somewhere?" "No, no! I mean to say that you were cheated. Rip-off is a term used in informal contexts to mean `deceive' or `cheat'. "If you are not careful, you'll get ripped off." "I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up they have no holidays." - Henry Youngman

Know Your English

"What are you reading?" "An article about the Minister's press conference. How do you pronounce s..t..y..m..i..e?" "The first syllable rhymes with `my' and `by'. The `ie' in the second syllable is like the `i' in `bin', `fin', and `tin'. The main stress is on the first syllable." "So it's pronounced STYmie?" "That's right. Any idea what the word means?" "Well, in this article the reporter says that the Minister was stymied by the question." "So what do you think it means? Guess." "The Minister was unable to answer the question. He was stumped by it. He was put in an awkward or difficult situation." "Very good. It means all those things. When you are stymied, you are put in an awkward position and you find it difficult to continue to do what you are doing. It's a word that is mostly used in informal contexts."

"I see. Can I say... ." "Do you know where the word `stymie' comes from?" "Haven't a clue." "It's a term that is used in golf. When you are stymied, you really don't know what to do because your opponent's ball is between yours and the hole." "In other words, it is blocking your shot?" "That's right." "It's a pretty awkward position to be in, I guess. How about this example? The students' plans to have a rock concert were stymied when the principal refused allow outsiders into the campus." "Why do you always have to make the principal the villain in your examples?" "Well, someone has to be the villain. So, why not the principal?" "Raju was stymied when Satish refused to help him when he had money problems." "Why should he have been stymied? After all, when Satish had problems, Raju never helped him. You cannot expect someone... ." "You take everything too seriously. You need to lighten up." "Lighten up? Do you mean to say that I am putting on weight?" "No, no! It has nothing to do with weight. When you tell someone to lighten up, you are asking them to relax." "In other words, you are telling them to take it easy. To calm down." "Exactly! You don't have to shout at her so much. All she did was ask you an innocent question. You need to lighten up." "I'll tell you who needs to lighten up. Promod!" "You have a point there! He gets upset about everything doesn't he? But who is going to tell him to lighten up? Everyone is scared of him." "Well, that's true. What was it that stymied the Minister? Has someone found evidence that his colleagues have been lining their pockets?" "Lining their pockets? Hey, I have come across that expression before. Doesn't it mean to make money in an illegal manner or something like that?" "Exactly!" "Politicians taking money is not considered news in India. We expect them to. The problem is many of our politicians are more interested in lining their pockets than in serving the people."

"You can't really blame them for wanting to line their pockets. After all, they spend lots of money trying to become a minister." "That's true. And as soon as they become public servants, they begin to treat the public like servants!" "You have a point there! I just read somewhere that some of the top executives in a well known company were more interested in lining their pockets than in looking after the welfare of their employees." "Nothing new in that. Happens all the time." "You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance." Franklin P. Jones

Know Your English

"So, what did you think of the new restaurant?" "The food was just great. Loved their paper masala dosa." "It was huge, wasn't it? My friend and I couldn't eat the whole thing." "My friend Vinod, on the other hand, had no problem at all. He made short work of it." "Short work of a masala dosa? What do you mean by that?" "When you make short work of something, you deal with it very quickly. It's an expression that is mostly used in informal contexts" "How about this example? We made short work of the problems that the physics teacher had given us." "You making short work of a problem in physics! That's very hard to believe." "In that case, how about this example? I made short work of the biscuits that my mother baked on my birthday." "It sounds more like you. You are a bit of a cookie monster!" "Not very funny." "It is also possible to make short work of someone. The challenger made short work of the former champion." "By the way, how was your meeting with the principal?" "Not very good, I'm afraid. He was in a bad mood and he wouldn't let us say our opinions." "You cannot say that. It is not..."

"Of course, I can say it. You don't know my principal..." "What I am trying to tell you is, `say our opinion' is wrong. You can `give your opinion', `express your opinion', and `state your opinion'. But you cannot `say your opinion'." "I see. The teacher refused to give her opinion on the matter." "The author expresses his opinion about the cricket team in this article." "Do I really have to give my opinion? I don't feel like doing so." "Tell me, why didn't the principal allow the students to talk?" "He was angry that we entered his room without permission." "You should have waited. What was..." "Waited? We waited for half an hour before entering his room." "The principal must have sensed that you people were angry about something. That's the reason why he was letting you cool your heels." "Cool our heels? What are you talking about?" "When you let someone cool his heels, you make him wait for some time." ""But by making people wait, you only succeed in increasing their anger. While he was having dinner, he made his clients cool their heels in the lobby of the hotel." "That's not a nice thing to do. Whenever my secretary gets angry about something, I never ask her to come and see me immediately. I let her cool her heels for a while before talking to her about it." "Government officials make it a habit of making people cool their heels." "That's probably because many of the people who work in government offices think they are the cat's whiskers." "Cat's whiskers? What does it mean?" "When you say that you are the cat's whiskers, what you are suggesting is that you are better than those around you. You are the most outstanding." "In other words, the others are beneath you." "I guess you could say that. For example..." "Let me try. Cinderella probably thought that she was the cat's whiskers in her new dress." "Many of our film stars think that they are the cat's whiskers." "That's probably because everyone keeps running after them. Not even in government offices are they made to cool their heels."

"Sad, but true." "However far your travels take you, you will never find the girl who smiles out at you from the travel brochure." Unknown

March 2006

What is the meaning of `cook the books'?

(Manoj Kumar Vohra, Faridabad) This is an expression mainly used in informal contexts. When you say that an accountant has cooked the company's books, what you mean is that he has changed the figures in the ledger in order to cheat or deceive people. Companies, which are in the red, often resort to this, in order to show that they are in good financial position. When you cook the books, you falsify the accounts. The Chairman said, "Cook the books. I want it done before the annual shareholder's meeting." *Vijay was asked to resign because he refused to cook the books.

Which is correct? `How are the team?' or `How is the team?'

(Jai, Coimbatore) I understand that in British English both are acceptable. If you wish to think of the team as a single unit, then you use the singular `is'. On the other hand, if you think of the team as consisting of distinct individuals, then you use the plural verb `are'. There are many nouns in English which can be followed by either the singular verb or the plural verb: government, family, team, firm, and people. These are just a few. *The family is/are of the opinion that you should stop teaching. text ignored *The Government wants/want to sell off some of the public sector units.

What is the meaning of `demonology'?

(N. Dharmaeshwaran, Bangalore) Demonology is an orthodox branch of theology and it started off as the study of the devil, witches, and other spirits thought to be evil. Nowadays, the term is being used to refer to the people or groups of people we hate. As human beings we like a certain group of people and hate others. For example, as far as the communists are concerned, all capitalists are evil because they are only interested in exploiting the working class. College students, on the other hand, view the administration with suspicion. This list of enemies that each of us has can also be referred to as demonology. For example, you can say, the journal's demonology expanded to include politicians, government officials, and communists.

Which is correct? `Once for all' or `once and for all'?

(G. Sambasivam, Chennai)

The dictionaries list only `once and for all'. The expression is used to mean `now and for the last time'. When you do something once and for all, you finish doing it so that you don't have to worry about it again. *After she completes the project, Seetha plans to return to France once and for all.

What is the meaning of `join the majority'?

(M. Ratnasabapathi, Madurai) When you join the majority, you die. It is also possible to say, `join the great majority', `go over to the great majority' and `death joins us to the great majority'. Other idioms which have more or less the same meaning are, `give up the ghost', `go the way of all flesh', and `kick the bucket'.

What is the difference between a `medical shop' and a `chemist'?

(D. Panduranga Rao, Chennai) In both shops, you can buy medicine manufactured by well-known pharmaceutical companies. At the chemist's however, it is possible for you to have your medicine prepared. The shop usually has someone who is well trained or qualified to prepare whatever it is you need. "Advertising is legalized lying." H. G. Wells

How is the word `dilettante' pronounced?

(Manmohan Rana, Delhi) The `i' in the first syllable and the `e' in the final syllable are like the `i' in `pit', `bit' and `sit'. The vowel in the second syllable sounds like the `a' in `china'. The following `a' is like the `a' in `ant', `apple', and `sat', and the main stress is on `tant'. This is one way of pronouncing the word. `Dilettante' is mostly used in formal contexts and it is used to refer to a person who shows interest in the arts; his knowledge of the subject matter, however, is usually minimal. He is an amateur and very often shows interest in a subject because he wishes to look fashionable. The word is usually used to show disapproval. *Dilip is a bit of a dilettante as far as Hindustani music is concerned.

What is the meaning of `wherewithal'?

(Jayaram, Kakinada) If you say that you have the wherewithal to buy a house, what you are saying is that you have the means to do it. In other words, you have the money to buy one. In most cases, the word is used to refer to funds. The stress is on the first syllable. *The wherewithal was sent to our factory in Hyderabad to produce spurious drugs.

Why is South America called `Latin America'?

(S. Bhakthavathsalan, Chennai)

The majority of people who live in this region speak either Spanish or Portuguese. Both these languages, unlike English, have descended from Latin. Hence South America is called `Latin America', and the people who live there are called `Latinos' or Latin Americans.

What is the meaning and origin of `rule of thumb'?

(C. Krishnaveni, Hyderabad) The idiom has been around for over three centuries. When we wish to measure the length or width of an object and we don't have a tape or ruler at hand, we sometimes make use of our thumb to do it. This way of calculating the length/breadth of something, will not give us the exact measurement, only an approximate one. So when you say that you are doing something by rule of thumb, you mean that what you are doing is based on experience or instinct, and not on exact calculation. *A good rule of thumb is to make three chapathis per guest.

What is the meaning of `nous'?

(Hemanth, Meerut) `Nous' rhymes with `house', `mouse', and `louse'. The word is used in British English to mean `intelligence' or `common sense'. It is usually used to show approval. *The children had the nous not to turn on the lights when they smelt gas.

What is the difference between `afflict' and `inflict'?

(L. Divya, Pune) Very often people deliberately go out of their way to cause pain or problems to others. When they do this, they are inflicting pain on them; they are doing things that they hope will make others experience something unpleasant. *The General wanted his troops to inflict pain on the prisoners. When you are afflicted with pain or illness, you suffer; the pain affects you badly, and it causes severe problems. You may suffer either physically or mentally. *Many countries in Africa are afflicted by civil war.

What is the difference between `dispatch' and `despatch'?

(R. Sunderajan, Chennai) As far as the meaning is concerned, there is no difference. The preferred spelling nowadays seems to be `dispatch'. "Some kids want to know why the teachers get paid when it's the kids who do all the work."

Which is correct "My house is opposite to the railway station" or "My house is opposite the railway station"?

(V. S. Paul Devasahayam, Madurai) You normally say that the house is opposite the railway station, and not `opposite to'. When you use the word `opposite' in this manner, you are suggesting that there is something separating the two objects. In this case, it could be that the railway station and your house are separated by a road or a street. Opposite implies that the two buildings are on different sides of the road/street. Similarly, when you say, "Divya's room is opposite Puja's", what you are suggesting is that the two rooms are facing each other; there is a corridor between them. *The nearest supermarket is opposite the hospital. *The people who live opposite Anand's house are slightly crazy.

What is the meaning of `dies non'?

(S. Shama Bhat, Kasaragod) First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The `di' is pronounced like the word `die' and the following `es' is like the word `ease'. The second word, which has the main stress, is pronounced like the word `non'. `Dies non' is the shortened form of the Latin expression `dies non juridicus'. `Dies' means `day', `non' means `not' and `juridicus' means `judicial'. As you have probably guessed by now, this expression is mostly used in legal contexts to mean a day on which the court doesn't work; a non-judicial day. Sundays, for example, are non-judicial days. Those who have filed a case in court know that it takes years for it to appear. As far as these people are concerned, the judiciary seldom works! Most days are `dies non juridicus'!

Cricket commentators talk about `the rub of the green... ' What does it mean?
(Rajesh, Delhi) This is an expression that is mostly used in the context of sports. In the first test match, for example, England had the rub of the green on the fourth day. The Indians fielded poorly and dropped a few catches. Even some of the umpiring decisions went England's way. The visitor's seemed to have all the luck. When you say that someone has the rub of the green, what you are implying is that everything is going their way they have dame luck on their side. *Ananya hasn't had the rub of the green in the last few tournaments

What is the difference between `ample' and `enough'?

(T. Manoharan, Chennai) The word `enough' suggests sufficient or adequate. For example, when you say that you had enough chairs for the guests, it means that you had sufficient number of chairs for people to sit on. The chairs met your requirements; they were adequate. When you say that you had ample money to go on the trip, it suggests you had more than enough money. Ample is larger in degree and quantity when compared to `enough'. If you have ample evidence to put a guilty man away, you have more than adequate or sufficient evidence to put him away for good. In other words, you have plenty of evidence.

What is the meaning of `mouse journalism'?

(B. Jambulingam, Thanjavur) The war in Iraq has given rise to a new sort of journalism mouse journalism. This is a term coined by Robert Fisk, a correspondent of the Independent. He said that the situation in Iraq is so dangerous for journalists, that mouse journalism is the best way for correspondents to stay alive. In this sort of journalism, the reporter goes to the scene of the event, gathers news as quickly as possible (usually about ten minutes), and leaves before "men with guns arrive." `Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.' A child.

Know Your English

"You can't be serious. What does Rama plan to do?" "If worse comes to the worse, she plans on quitting her job." "That's sad. I didn't know things were that bad. By the way, it's not `worse comes to the worse'. The standard expression is, `if the worst comes to the worst'." "I see. If the worst comes to the worst, you could always borrow money from me." "From you? Fat chance of that happening! If the worst comes to the worst, the couple will have to postpone their wedding." "We could always sell our house and move to another city, if the worst comes to the worst." "Americans tend to say, `if worst comes to worst'. For example, if worst comes to worst, we'll have to replace the captain." "If worst comes to worst, we'll have to cancel our trip to Arunachal Pradesh." "Good example. What's that colourful thing next to you?" "It's my new cap. I bought it yesterday." "Put it on for me, will you? Put on your thinking cap." "Not very funny. You know there are days... ." "Do you know what `put on your thinking cap' means?" "Of course, I know what it means! When someone tells you to put on your thinking cap, what they want you to do is to start thinking seriously about some problem." "Exactly! They want you to come up with a solution. Sujatha put her thinking cap on and came up with an answer." "Tell me, where did the expression come from?" "I understand that in the old days a judge used to put on a cap before he sentenced someone." "And this cap was called a thinking cap?"

"That's right." "Tell me, how do you pronounce a..l..b..e..i..t?" "That's a word I haven't come across in a while. The first syllable is like the word `all', and the second is pronounced like the word `bee'. As for the final syllable, it's... ." "It's probably pronounced like the word `it', right?" "Exactly! The main stress is on the second syllable. Any idea what the word means?" "The character in this book says, `The Government was making progress, albeit, slowly.' My guess is, it means `although'." "Very good! That's exactly what it means. It's mostly used in formal contexts." "I guessed as much. How about this example? Renu tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to jog 20 miles." "Sounds good. But if I were you, I would avoid the word. It's considered rather old fashioned. Your teacher might frown on it." "No way! Haven't you heard? Our teachers are on strike. Isn't that great?" "For you, maybe. But why are they on strike?" "I think they want more money. The good news is that all the faculties are on strike. And they will be on strike for at least a week." "You mean the faculty is on strike, don't you?" "I am talking about all the teachers from our college. So shouldn't it be faculties?" "No, the entire teaching staff is usually referred to as `faculty'. Not faculties." "I see. The faculty agreed to work on a Sunday. How does that sound?" "Sounds good. Here's another example. Our faculty will be on strike all of next week." "Let's forget about `faculty' for the time being. Tell me, what does `faculties' mean? The word exists, doesn't it?" "Of course, it does. The word `faculties' is used to refer to the power of the mind or body." "In other words, you are talking about an individual's physical and mental abilities." "That's right. Here's an example. The man is nearly 95 years old. You can't possibly expect him to be in possession of all of his faculties." "The man was drunk. He definitely wasn't in control of his faculties." "Are you in control of your faculties?"

"We're going to have the best educated American people in the world." George W. Bush

April 2006

How do you pronounce s..p..i..e..l?"

"The `s' sounds like the `sh' in `shoot', `should', and `ship', and the following `piel' is pronounced like the word `peel'." "I see. Is it OK to pronounce the `sp' like the `sp' in `spool', `spill', and `sport'?" "Yes, that's another way of pronouncing the word." "Tell me, what does `spiel' mean?" "A spiel is a well rehearsed speech that a person gives very often... ." "You mean it's something like what salespersons do? They have a well prepared speech, and they give it whenever a customer asks them a question or... ." "It's not just salesmen who give spiels. Lots of other people do too." "Politicians do it all the time!"' "Exactly! Spiels are usually given in order to persuade people. Prabhakar gave us a spiel on why we should invest in his company." "When my boss started his spiel on how difficult things were when he started the company, most of us groaned." "He gives that spiel whenever someone asks for a raise, doesn't he?" "You're bang on! You see... ." "Bang on? Does it mean `exactly right' or something like that?" "Very good. That's exactly what it means. Achala's criticism of her friend's essay was bang on." "For a change, many of your boss' predictions about the stock market were bang on. Did your company make a lot of money?" "Financially, our company is in fantabulous shape. Yet,... " "Fantabulous! Never heard that word before." "It's a combination of `fantastic' and `fabulous'. The word means `great' or `excellent'. For example, our captain scored a fantabulous century in the last match." "How about this example? The movie was fantabulous." "Sounds good. The word is normally used in informal contexts."

"If the company is doing really well, why is your boss unwilling to give you a raise?" "Why don't you go ask the worrywart?" "The who?" "The worrywart. A worrywart is someone who worries excessively. He worries even when there is no reason to. When I went to the library, I ran into that worrywart, Harish." "I hate meeting worrywarts. Ten minutes after being with one, you end up feeling depressed." "That's true. Just imagine how I feel after spending half an hour with you." "I may make you feel depressed every now and then, but I am certainly not a worrywart." "You have a point there. I was just trying to needle you." "Needle me? Does it mean that you were trying to irritate me?" "Yes, that's right. When you needle someone, you are trying to annoy or irritate him/her by making unkind remarks. Raju enjoys needling his neighbour about her accent." "How about this example? The students succeeded in needling the new teacher." "Sounds good. Maybe I should keep needling my boss till he gives me a raise." "I seriously doubt if you will get one by needling him. Anyway, how is work? Enjoying it?" "Spinning my wheels. That's all." "Spinning your wheels? What are you talking about?" "When you say that all you're doing is spinning your wheels, what you mean is that you are wasting your time. I think I need to find another job. Something more challenging. I feel that I am just spinning my wheels here." "Lots of students spend their three years in college spinning their wheels." "Everyone has a purpose in life. Perhaps yours is watching television." David Letterman

What is the meaning of `metrosexual'?

(Saumya Pratik, Ranchi) The term is used to refer to men living in cities ("metros") who consider themselves to be `sensitive' and `romantic'. These people are always immaculately dressed and spend a lot of time in front of the mirror to make sure that they are looking their best. Unlike the ordinary `guy', a metrosexual is not afraid of showing his feminine side; he may come to office with his fingernails painted. He is usually fairly well to do, loves to shop and spends a lot of time and money on clothes. A metrosexual may or may not be gay. Mark Simpson coined the word in 1994.

What is the meaning of `gun-shy'?

(Neha Singh, Pune) The word `shy' is often added to nouns like `camera', `gun' and `publicity' to mean that that an individual is not particularly fond of that thing. For example, a person who is `camera-shy' does not like standing before cameras; he/she doesn't like getting his/her picture taken. Similarly, a person who is `publicity-shy' will do anything to avoid publicity. He doesn't want his name mentioned in the media. A person who is `gun-shy' is afraid of guns and tries to keep away from them. Guns and the noise they make, make him nervous. Nowadays, the expression `gun-shy' has taken on a wider meaning. When you say that someone is `gun-shy', what you mean is that the individual is very timid and afraid to take risks. *After their last bridge collapsed, the company is gun-shy to build any new ones.

What is the meaning of `gun-shy'?

(Neha Singh, Pune) The word `shy' is often added to nouns like `camera', `gun' and `publicity' to mean that that an individual is not particularly fond of that thing. For example, a person who is `camera-shy' does not like standing before cameras; he/she doesn't like getting his/her picture taken. Similarly, a person who is `publicity-shy' will do anything to avoid publicity. He doesn't want his name mentioned in the media. A person who is `gun-shy' is afraid of guns and tries to keep away from them. Guns and the noise they make, make him nervous. Nowadays, the expression `gun-shy' has taken on a wider meaning. When you say that someone is `gun-shy', what you mean is that the individual is very timid and afraid to take risks. *After their last bridge collapsed, the company is gun-shy to build any new ones.

What is the meaning of `the boot is on the other foot'?

(Kundan Jha, Vadodara) In many of our movies, in the beginning, the hero is shown as a very weak individual. The villain constantly beats him up. But in the course of the movie, the situation slowly begins to change; and by the end, the roles are reversed. It's the hero who is in a dominant position, and the villain in a weak one. When you say that the boot is on the other foot, you mean that the situation is the opposite of what it was earlier. In other words, the tables have turned. Americans tend to say, `the shoe is on the other foot'. *The Americans are realising that they can't get other countries to do what they want them to. The boot is on the other foot now.

What is the difference between `shout at' and `shout to'?

(K. Latha, Chennai) When you become angry with someone, you sometimes end up `shouting at' them. You say whatever it is you want to say in a loud and angry voice. In this case, you are being aggressive. *The coach shouted at the players when they turned up late for practice. When you `shout to' someone, you are calling out to the person. The person is probably far away and therefore you use a loud voice to get his attention.

*Jai shouted to us to come and join him on the boat. "You know your children are growing up when they stop asking you where they came from and refuse to tell you where they're going." P.J. O'Rourke

What is the meaning of `what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander'?
(P. Habeeb Rahman, Madurai) Some parents treat their sons and daughters differently; they do not have the same set of rules for the two. For example, they may allow their sons to go out with their friends on Friday evenings, but may not allow their daughters to do so. As far as they are concerned, it is not okay for girls to go out. Such parents do not believe that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. In other words, they don't think that what is appropriate for one person, is appropriate for another. It's also possible to say, `what's good for the goose is good for the gander'. The expression has been around for several centuries, and is considered rather old fashioned. *If you're going to punish me for watching too much television, then you should punish Geetha, too. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Is it okay to refer to a girl as being `homely'?

(L. Balagopal, Hyderabad) If she is not much to look at, then you can call her `homely'. When you refer to a girl as being homely, what you are suggesting is that she is rather plain or ugly. The word can be used with animals as well. *Her daughters are very intelligent, but rather homely. When you refer to a chair as being `homely', what you mean is that it is not elegant to look at, but comfortable to sit on.

What is the difference between `semblance' and `resemblance'?

(Abu Saleh, Kadayanallur) When you say that two objects or people `resemble' each other, you are saying that they look a lot like each other. Resemblance between two objects suggests that there is a likeness between them. In this case, the similarity is there to be seen. *There is a marked resemblance between you and your cousin, Sridhar. `Semblance' is a word that is normally used in formal contexts. If you say that there was a semblance of order at the meeting, what you are suggesting is that outwardly, things appeared to be in order. This appearance of everything being under control, however, is false. `Semblance' is generally used to suggest a contrast between outward appearance and inner reality. When someone puts on a semblance of cheerfulness at a party, he is only pretending to be cheerful. It is only a show; he is faking it.

*After the riots, it took a week for some semblance of order to return. `Semblance' can also be used to suggest a likeness between two objects. *The clouds took on the semblance of a small elephant.

What is the meaning of `nuts and bolts'?

(Qazi Md. Zaidi, Begusarai) When someone talks about the nuts and bolts of a job, he gives a brief summary of what the job entails. In other words, he gives you the basic information about the job. When you say that someone knows the nuts and bolts of a subject, he knows the basic things about the subject. *They tell me that Mohan is familiar with the nuts and bolts of television scripting.

What's the difference between `I am giving an exam' and `I'm taking an exam'?
(U. N. Limaye, Pune) When you say that you are `taking' an exam, it means that you are going to be writing one. In other words, you are going to be a candidate, an examinee. When you say that you are going to be `giving' an exam, it means that you are going to give someone else an exam; you are the examiner. You are probably a teacher and you are going to give your students an exam. In India, this distinction is not always maintained. "The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant - and let the air out of their tires." Dorothy Parker

What is the difference between `slap on the back' and `slap on the wrist'?
(P. Yadav, Patna) As a child, whenever you did something wrong, you invariably got punished for it. Sometimes the punishment wasn't as severe as you had expected it to be; in fact, it turned out to be pretty mild. When you get slapped on the wrist for doing something wrong, you receive punishment which is not as severe as it might have been. People who drive without a license shouldn't get off with a slap on the wrist. They should be put in jail. *The children got a slap on the wrist for not doing their homework. The expression `get your wrist slapped' has the same meaning as `slap on the wrist'. *We got our wrists slapped for not drinking the milk. You normally hit someone on the back when you are proud of what he/she has done. The idiom `slap on the back' is used to show approval. It has the same meaning as `pat on the back'. *We should give Rahul a slap on the back for helping us organise the cultural programme.

What is the meaning of `to make waves'?

(Indira, Bangalore) When you make waves, you are bringing about changes in a situation; changes that not all people are happy with. The changes usually cause problems, and leave many people rather unhappy. *Anand is a good choice. He is diffident and is unlikely to make waves.

Why do we say, `the U.N', but not `the UNESCO'?

(J. Ganesh, Madurai) When you use the abbreviated form of a well-known organisation and you pronounce each letter separately, then you use `the'. In the case of `U.N', for example, you pronounce the `u' as well as the `n' separately. Other famous organisations which have to be preceded by `the' are `BBC', `CBI', `FBI' and `EC". In the case of UNESCO, the letters are not pronounced individually. You put them together and say it as a word. When the abbreviated form of an organisation is pronounced as a word, then you need not put `the' before it. In the case of `OPEC', `UNICEF', and `NATO', there is no need for the definite article `the'.

How is the word `demise' pronounced?

(A. J. V. Subramanyam, Chennai) The first syllable is like the word `dim' and the second is pronounced like the word `eyes'. The stress is on the second syllable. The death of someone or something is referred to as the demise of the person or thing. The word is normally used in formal contexts. *If we don't get enough support, it'll result in the demise of the bill.

Which of the following sentences is correct? `The majority of the applicants is not qualified' or `The majority of the applicants are not qualified'?
(M. Ratnasabapathi, Neyveli) The second sentence is grammatically correct. `Majority of' is invariably followed by a plural noun. For example, we say, `majority of students', `majority of young mothers' and `majority of cases'. Since the noun in all the examples is plural, the verb that follows must also be plural. *The majority of students are unwilling to take part in the strike. When `the majority' is not followed by `of', then the verb that follows can be either singular or plural. For example, *The majority is of the opinion that we must go on strike. *The majority feel threatened by the possible changes. "The phrase `working mother' is redundant." Jane Sellman

May 2006

What is the meaning and origin of `busman's holiday'?

(Sooriamoorthy, Chennai) If you get a day off and you end up spending it doing what you normally do on any working day, then you call it a `busman's holiday'. Instead of going out and enjoying yourself, you spend the day as if it were any other working day doing office work. By the way, the `a' in `man' is pronounced like the `a' in `china'. The expression comes from the time when buses in London were pulled by horses. Every driver was given his own team of horses, and man and animal worked together every day. As it usually happens in such circumstances, a close relationship developed between the driver and his team. Whenever the driver went on leave, a substitute was hired to `drive' the bus. Very often the regular driver would sit in his bus all day as a passenger just to make sure that his horses were being properly treated by the substitute. Since the driver ended up doing what he normally did on any working day, these rides began to be called `busman's holiday'. *I thought I would make it a busman's holiday and finish writing the report.

How is the word `leitmotiv' pronounced?

(Anand Rao, Vizag) The first syllable is pronounced like the word `light'; the following `o' is like the `o' in `so', `no', and `go'. The `i' sounds like the `ee' in `breeze', `freeze', and `sneeze'. The final `v' is like the `f' in `fish', `feel', and `full', and the stress is on the first syllable. `Leitmotiv' is a German word meaning `leading motive' or `leading theme'. The word, which comes from the world of music, can also be spelt `leitmotif'. In some movies, for example, whenever a particular character appears on the screen, he is always accompanied by the same piece of music. In the old days, whenever a wicked person made his or her appearance, you always had the snake charmer's music playing in the background; it was the director's way of telling the audience that the character was evil. This is an example of leitmotif. Nowadays the term is used to refer to any dominant theme that appears repeatedly in something book, movie and talk. *The title of his latest movie could serve as the leitmotif for the actor's life.

What is the meaning of `to stonewall'?

(G. Uday Kumar, Cochin) The word is normally used to show disapproval. When you accuse someone of `stonewalling' what you mean is that the individual is being obstructive, uncooperative or evasive. The person is delaying taking a decision about something or refusing to answer your questions because there is something he wishes to hide. *The principal stonewalled when the reporter asked him about the scandal on campus. Since walls made of stones were difficult to break through, the word `stonewall' began to be used to refer to anything that presented a formidable obstacle.

The term is also used in cricket. When a batsman `stonewalls', he spends a lot of time at the crease without really attempting to score runs.

Is there a difference between `re-count' and `recount'?

(B. Jayanth, Pune) Yes, there is. The inclusion of the hyphen brings about a change in the meaning of the word. The word `re-count' means `to count again' or `a further count'. Here are a few examples. *Both candidates demanded a re-count. It must be mentioned here that not everyone uses the hyphen nowadays. The `e' in the first syllable is pronounced like the `ee' in `seed', `feed', and `need'. The word `recount', on the other hand, means to narrate. In this case, the `e' is like the `i' in `sit', `bit', and `hit', and the stress is on `count'. *The students recounted their adventures in the Himalayas. "Childhood is that wonderful time of life when all you need to do to lose weight is take a bath." Richard Zena

Down to the wire'

"Did you watch the exciting game last night?" "It went down to the wire, didn't it?" "Wire? I am talking about the first ODI between India and... ." "I am talking about the cricket match as well. When you say that the game went down to the wire, what you mean is, it was not possible to predict the outcome till the very end." "When something goes down to the wire, it is full of suspense. Is that what you're saying?" "That's right! The expression is usually used to mean `at the very last minute' or `at the very end'. For example, the two teams are good. I have a feeling that the game will go down to the wire." "How about this example? Remember the assignment that I had to submit last week? I really went down to the wire on that one." "Meaning that you submitted it at the very last minute. Sounds good." "Tell me, where does the expression come from?" "It comes from the world of horse racing. You see in the old days, it was common practice to stretch a metal wire across the finishing line. And... ." "The first horse that crossed the wire was declared the winner!"

"Exactly! So when you say `down to the wire', what you actually mean is `up to the finishing line'. The race was exciting right up to the finishing line." "That makes sense. Tell me, have you decided whether you are going to buy that beautiful flat you saw last week?" "I have decided not to." "But why? You liked the flat so much. Why have... ." "The builder wants me to pay 60 per cent of the amount immediately. I don't have that kind of money right now. I told him that I would be able to pay the advance in dribs and drabs, but he... ." "Dribs and drabs? What does that mean?" "What do you think it means?" "It probably means in small amounts. You told the builder that you couldn't pay 60 per cent of the money at one go. But you would be willing to pay him in small amounts over a period of time." "Exactly! For example. Not all the students were allowed to enter the museum at the same time. The children were let into the main hall in dribs and drabs." "How about this example? The striking miners returned to work in dribs and drabs." "Sounds good. " "But tell me, where does the word `dribs' come from?" "It's the short form of `driblet', which in the 17th Century meant `a drop' or `tiny quantity'. Some believe it comes from `dribble' meaning `trickle'. Do you know what trickle means?" "Of course, I do! It means to flow out very slowly and in small quantity." "Well done! The word `drab' was used in the early 1800s to refer to a small sum of money." "A small amount of money trickling down at irregular intervals. Hence, dribs and drabs." "It can be a small amount of something or a small number of something." "Tell me, how do you pronounce l..a..t..i..n..o?" "Well, the `a' in the first syllable is like the `a' in `cat', `bat' and `hat', and the following `i' is like the `ee' in `fees', `bees', and `knees'." "And I guess the final `no' is pronounced like the word `no'." "Exactly! The main stress is on the ... ." "It must be on the first syllable." "Sorry, no. It's on the second syllable `ti'. Do you know what `Latino' means?"

"I have no idea." "A `Latino' is someone from Latin America who has settled down in the U.S. It's a term mostly used in American English." "My wife is suffering from sickness and as I am her only husband at home, I may be granted leave." Unknown

What is the meaning and origin of `Monday morning blues'?

(Santosh Gupta, Mensa) Monday is not a day that many people look forward to. In fact, most people get up feeling rather depressed on this day. Reason? They know they have to work for another five or six days before they get some time off. The `blues' referred to in the idiom has nothing to do with the colour. According to some scholars, it refers to the type of music made popular by African Americans. The `blues music' deals with rather sad themes, and as a result leaves the listener feeling sad. This is the reason why the expressions `to have the blues' and `feeling blue' mean feeling sad or depressed.

How is the word `esoteric' pronounced?

(Samuel Pradeep, Coimbatore) The first syllable is pronounced like the letter `s' and the following `o' is like the `a' in `china'. The `e' is like the `e' in `set', `pet', and `bet', and the final `ric' is like the `ric' in `electric', `eccentric', and `metric'. The main stress is on the third syllable `ter'. This is how the Americans pronounce the word. The British, on the other hand, pronounce the `e' in the first syllable like the `ee' in `bee', `fees', and `geese', and the following `o' like the `o' in `so', `go' and `no'.. Any idea what the word means? When you say that something is `esoteric', what you are implying is that it can be understood and appreciated by only a few people. The word is usually used in formal contexts. Venkat takes interest in esoteric subjects.

What is the meaning of `cul de sac'?

(Br. Pinto, Nagapattinam) First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The `u' in `cul' is like the `u' in `cut', `but', and `hut'; the `e' in `de' is like the `i' in `it', `bit', and `hit'. The final word is pronounced like the word `sack'. The main stress is on the first syllable. A cul de sac is a short road which is blocked off at one end. In other words, it's a dead end. *Rahul lives in a beautiful house in a quiet cul de sac.

What is the difference between `Only Ram can play tennis' and `Ram can only play tennis'?
(Pradeep, Shimoga)

The first sentence means that no person other than Ram can play tennis. You may have many friends who play games, but none of them, except Ram, can play tennis. They may play other games, but not tennis. The second sentence, on the other hand, means that tennis is the only game that Ram can play. He cannot play any other game. Your other friends may play cricket, table tennis, badminton, etc, but Ram cannot play any of these. Here are a few more examples. *Only Geetha likes the Physics teacher. (No other student likes the teacher.) *Geetha likes only the Physics teacher. (She doesn't like any other teacher.)

What is the difference between `psych out' and `psych someone out'?
(C. Ganpat, Hyderabad) Both are expressions used in informal contexts. When you `psych out' you become terribly excited about something. You get so excited that in the process you sometimes lose your ability to think clearly. *When my brother saw the new car I had bought, he psyched out. When you `psyche someone out' you get them very excited and make them lose control of their mental ability. *Watching their children spending money recklessly psyched out the parents. The expression can also be used to mean `to figure someone out'. When you `psyche someone out' you begin to understand how his mind works. *After having been married for twenty years, I still haven't psyched out my wife. "The trouble with children is that they are not returnable." Quentin Crisp

Is it `confidant' or `confidante'? Which is the correct spelling?

(V. Shwetha, Bangalore) Both are correct. A `confidant' is someone you confide in. You trust this person implicitly and you tell him everything that is going on in your life. In other words, you pour your heart out to him. A `confidante', on the other hand, is a woman whom you tell your problems to. There are a few words in English where the addition of the letter `e' changes the gender: blond (man) and blonde (woman) is one such example. *Shruthi was her uncle's only confidante. Both words are pronounced the same way. The first two syllables are pronounced like the first two syllables of `confidence'. The `a' in `dant' is like the `a' in `pants', `ants', and `apple'. While some people put the stress on the first syllable, others put it on the final syllable. "There are a few things more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own." Doug Larson

How is the word `content' pronounced?

(M. Balakrishnan, Cochin) It can be pronounced in two different ways, and the pronunciation depends on how the word is used. If you use the word as a noun, then the stress is on the first syllable. For example, if you are talking about the `contents' of a suitcase or a book, then the `o' is pronounced like the `o' in `con', `continent' and `confidence'. The second syllable is pronounced like the word `tent'; the stress is on the first syllable. If, on the other hand, you use the word either as an adjective or a verb, then the stress is on the second syllable. For example, if you are talking about how happy or content you are with life, then the `o' in the first syllable is like the `a' in `china'. The following syllable is pronounced like the word `tent'. *There was no content (CONtent) in any of the presentations the students made. *The students were content (conTENT) to sleep in the veranda. *Mariam contented (conTENTed) herself eating peanuts and drinking milk. "There are a few things more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own." Doug Larson

Which is correct? `Waiting in the wings' or `waiting on the wings'?

(Sana John, Hyderabad) The correct expression is `waiting in the wings'. The `wings' in this idiom has nothing to do with the wings of a bird. The idiom comes from the world of theatre. The word `wings' refers to the sides of the stage, which are usually hidden from the audience by the curtain. Actors normally wait here before they walk onto the stage. When you say that someone is waiting in the wings, what you mean is that the person is ready to perform; all he needs is an opportunity. *We must give him an opportunity. He's been waiting in the wings for too long. "There are a few things more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own." Doug Larson S. UPENDRAN

What is the difference between `lonely' and `alone'?

(C. Purushothaman, Chennai) If you are sitting all alone in the dining hall, there is no else with you in the room. You are the only person present, the sole occupant. Loneliness, on the other hand, is a state of mind. When you say that you feel lonely, what it implies is that you feel unhappy because you don't have any friends or anyone to talk to; you feel isolated. When you are in the company of people you are not alone, but you can be lonely. You might feel that you don't really belong with the group of people. Since you have nothing in common with them, you cannot relate to them. When people go abroad, they might be in the midst of a lot of people, but they still feel very lonely. On the other hand, people may be all alone, but they may not feel lonely. *Thinking of his life back home made him feel extremely lonely.

"There are a few things more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own." Doug Larson

Know your English

"When you meet someone at eleven o'clock in the night, how do you greet him? Do you say, `Good evening' or `Good night'?" "You normally say...." "Sujatha says it's `Good evening' and I say ...." "She is right. You say, `Good evening'. You see...." "But I'm seeing this person late in the night." "That's true. But what you should remember is that `Good evening' is another way of saying, `hello'. Good night is not used to greet people. When you say `Good night' to someone..." "You are saying `Good bye'. Is that the point you're making?" "Exactly! Which is why when you walk into a restaurant late in the evening, the waiter wishes you `Good evening', and when you leave, he says, `Good night'." "I lose to Sujatha again! Hey, did you ask your boss for a raise?" "Yes, I did. The Scrooge said, `No way'." "What did you call him?" "S..c..r..o..o..g..e. The `scroo' is pronounced like the word `screw', and the final `ge' sounds like the `j' in `jam', `jump', and ...." "Job!" "You're bang on! Do you know what the word means?" "Well, whenever we talk about your boss, you usually say how tight fisted he is. So a Scrooge must be someone who hates spending money. He must be a miser. Just like Uncle Scrooge in the Donald Duck comics!" "Excellent. Scrooge is actually a character in Charles Dickens's `A Christmas Carol'. When I was growing up, I thought my uncle was a bit of a Scrooge. But he was very generous compared to my boss." "If you ask me, Sujatha is a real Scrooge. But tell me, why is your boss refusing to give you a raise? It's long overdue, isn't it?" "I don't know. Maybe he just wants me to jump through hoops for him." "Jump through what?"

"Hoops. When you jump through hoops, you do everything that the other person wants you to." "In other words, you bend over backwards to please the individual." "Exactly! Here's an example. I don't get along with Radha. She wants all her friends to jump through hoops for her. Something that I am not willing to do." " You can also say, `jump through a hoop'. For example, I am not willing to jump through a hoop for you." "I don't expect a Scrooge like you to...." "Me? A Scrooge! I've lent you more than 500 rupees. Fork it over." "Fork it over! What are you talking about?" "When you ask someone to fork something over, you want him to hand it over to you. The expression is used in informal contexts and is usually used with money." "You borrowed money from me last week. Fork it over. How does it sound?" "Good. Now about that money you borrowed...." "Do you think the bank will fork over more money to help us...." "I don't think so. Tell me, how was the movie that you were planning to see yesterday?" "I didn't go. You see, it was so hot yesterday that I decided to stay indoor and watch TV instead." "You decided to stay indoors not indoor." "How do you use `indoor' then?" "Table tennis is an indoor game." "There are many hotels which have an indoor swimming pool." "Good example. Most gyms are indoors. Now coming back to the five hundred rupees! When are you going to fork it over?" "My! My! Just look at the time. It's getting late! Good night Scrooge!" "Children really brighten up a household. They never turn the lights off." Ralph Bus

June 2006

How is the word `poignant' pronounced?

(Kripa Rajesh, Mangalore)

The `oi' is like the `oy' in `boy', `toy', and `joy'; the following `g' is silent. The first syllable `poign' therefore rhymes with the word `coin'. The sound following the `n' is like the `y' in `yes', `yell', and `yellow'. The `a' that follows is like the `a' in `china', and the main stress is on the first syllable. When you say that something is `poignant', what you mean is that it affects you very deeply and makes you feel rather sad. Please change the channel. I am not in the mood to watch a poignant love story.

Why is television called the `idiot box'?

(Medepalli Seshu, New Delhi) It is not the box which is the idiot, but the people watching it. Have you ever observed people watching their favourite programme? Their eyes remain glued to the television set, and on most occasions they have no clue what is going on around them. When you ask them questions, they either tell you to keep quiet, or don't take the trouble to answer you. The only time they come alive is during the commercial break; otherwise, they remain passive. They keep staring at the `box' as if they were a bunch of idiots; the TV turns them into one. By the way, did you know that the words `idiot' and `idiom' are related? Both come from the Greek `idios', meaning `peculiar'. Why is an idiom peculiar? Because the meaning of an idiom is not the sum of the meaning of all the words of the idiom. For example, whenever it rains heavily, we say, `It's raining cats and dogs'. It doesn't mean that cats and dogs are actually falling from the sky.

What is the meaning of `buy someone off'?

(A. S. Beg, Aligarh) When a policeman stops us for a traffic violation, what is it that we normally do? We try to talk our way out of paying the fine. Sometimes we plead with the officer, at other times, we try to bribe him so that we don't have to pay the full penalty. This act of bribing someone so that he turns a blind eye to the wrong that we have done is referred to as `buying someone off'. The businessman succeeded in buying off some of the income tax officials.

What's the difference between "How are you?" and "How do you do?"
(Rohan Tendulkar, Bidar) In British English, `How do you do?' is normally used when you are introduced to someone for the first time. It is a way of greeting someone, and the standard response to this expression is, `How do you do?' You normally use this expression only once with a person. The next time you meet him, you can say, `How are you?' This expression is used with people you already know. Unlike `How do you do', `How are you' is intended to find out how the individual is doing both emotionally and physically. `How do you do?' does not carry this meaning. Did you know that the word `hi' is actually from `how are you'? When `how are you' is said very fast, it sounds like `hiya'. So instead of saying, `how are you', people started saying, `hiya'. Later on, `hiya' was reduced to `hi'. Therefore when you meet someone and say, `Hi, how are you?', what you are actually saying is, `How are you? How are you?'.

What is the difference between `shovel down' and `shovel into'?

(L. Jaya, Bangalore)

When you `shovel something down', you take a huge bite of something and gulp it down very quickly. It is an expression that is mostly used in informal contexts. Listen, you don't have to shovel your sandwich down. We have plenty of time. When you `shovel something into something', you make use of a shovel to put something into something else. The old gardener spent a lot of time shovelling gravel into the wheelbarrow. "When you steal from one author, it's plagiarism; when you steal from many, it's research." Wilson Mizner

Know Your English

"Hi! Haven't seen you for ten days. Where have you been?" "Like everybody else, I've been busy watching the World Cup matches. Since I stay up all night and watch the games, I have a long nap after I return back from school." "You don't have to say `return back'. Just `return' will do. For example, the Vice Chancellor will return from Nagpur on Thursday." "That's a good one. Tell me, how do you manage to stay awake in school? Don't you... ." "I fall asleep every now and then. So do my classmates. And yesterday, one of my teachers fell asleep too! That was pretty funny!" "The same thing is happening in my office. You should just see the place. Things are in limbo." "In limbo? What does it mean?" "It means that things are in an uncertain state. It can also mean that things are in a state of neglect. For example, unless the Supreme Court gives its verdict, the various projects will continue to be in limbo." " How about this example? The Manager kept Lavanya's promotion in limbo for months." "Sounds good. Listen, have you bought the MP3 player that you were saving up for?" "Not yet. Devi was saying that the price might go down even further next week." "Don't wait too long. Bottom fishing may get you into trouble." "Bottom fishing? Haven't heard that expression before." "It's a term used in the stock market. When you go bottom fishing, you look for shares whose prices have dropped very low because of a crash in the market." " The term has acquired a broader meaning. When you go bottom fishing, you try to buy something at the cheapest possible price. And in the process are willing to settle for products of poor quality."

"I have a cousin who thinks that bottom fishing will always get you something of value." "Not always, I am afraid. Personally, I don't think bottom fishing is always wise. There is a reason why the seller is willing to sell something at such a low price." "You have a point there." "Of course, I do! My cousin who plays the stock market does a lot of bottom fishing." "Your cousin? Which one? The one who lost a lot of money recently?" "Yes, that's right! It seems to make no difference to him. Whenever he loses money, he sponges from his parents." "Sponges from his parents? What does it mean?" "When you sponge something from someone, you beg or borrow something from them. For example, my cousin sponged a thousand rupees from my parents." "My cousin has been sponging food from her relatives for a year now." "That's a good example." "Why don't you tell your cousin's parents not to let their son sponge off them?" "Unfortunately, my uncle doesn't trust people. He feels that the person advising him is trying to lead him down the garden path." "Which garden are you talking about?" "When you lead someone down the garden path, you are cheating or deceiving the individual. This is an informal expression commonly used in American English." "Latha told Pradeep that she loved him. What the fool didn't realise was that she was leading him down the garden path. She needed help with her project. How does that sound?" "Good. It is also possible to say, `up the garden path'. The mechanic led us up the garden path about the cost the repairs turned out to be really expensive." "This is either a forgery or a damn clever original!" Frank Sullivan

How is the word `loquacious' pronounced?

(K. C. Vasudevan, New Delhi) The `o' in the first syllable and the `iou' in the final syllable are pronounced like the `a' in `china'. The `qu' sounds like the `qu' in `quit', `quiz' and `queen'. The `a' that follows is like the `a' in `way', `say', and `bay', and the `c' is like the `sh' in `sheep', `ship', and `sheet'. The stress is on the second syllable. When you say that someone is `loquacious', what you mean is that the individual talks a lot. The word is mostly used in formal contexts. *The normally loquacious Malar chose to remain silent at the meeting.

Is it OK to use `ranker' to mean `top rank in an examination'?

(B. Shalini, Hyderabad) This is a word one frequently encounters in the months of May and June in India. A student who does well in an entrance exam and gets a decent rank is immediately labelled a `ranker'. Proud parents distribute sweets claiming that their child is a `ranker', and tutorial institutions take out ads claiming that they had X number of `rankers' in this year's exam. This use of the word `ranker' to mean `top in the examination' is Indian. Native speakers of English do not use the word in this manner. Dictionaries define the word "ranker" as a commissioned officer who has been promoted from the enlisted status. It has nothing to do with performing well in an exam.

What is the meaning of `out of the box'?

(P. B. Lakshmi Narasimhan, Chennai) When you think out of the box, you think creatively, you think in an unconventional manner. The expression derives from the famous puzzle created by a British mathematician, Henry Ernest Dudeney. In this puzzle there are nine dots arranged in three rows; each row containing three dots. The challenge is to connect all nine dots making use of four straight lines, without taking the pencil off paper. *Sanjay has always been an out of the box sort of guy.

What is the meaning and origin of `hit the sack'?

(A. Nalini, Thiruvananthapuram) When you say that you are going to `hit the sack', you are saying in a rather informal way that you are going to bed. What does a sack have to do with a bed? During World War II, American soldiers started referring to their sleeping bags as `sacks'. `Hit the sack' replaced the earlier expression `hit the hay'. Why hay? In the old days, people who couldn't afford a bed used to sleep on a sack stuffed with hay. Before they lay down to sleep, they used to keep hitting the sack till the straw/hay was evenly spread. Hence the expression `hit the hay'. *I've had a tiring day. I think I am going to hit the sack early today. *You don't seriously expect me to hit the hay so early, do you?

What is the difference between `password' and `buzzword'?

(S. Harish, Coimbatore) A `buzzword' can either be a word or a phrase that has suddenly become very popular in a particular field. Reporters from the various news media pick up on it and constantly use it in their stories. As a result, the ordinary public becomes familiar with it as well. In recent years, `biotechnology' has been the buzzword in medicine. `Empowerment', `paradigm shift' and `synergy' are the other examples of buzzwords.

A `password', on the other hand, is usually a secret word or phrase that you are expected to know in order to enter restricted places. It tells the other person who you are. For example, if you want to check your email, you have to type in your user mail id and your password. If you forget the password, you will be denied access. Unlike buzzwords, passwords are not usually new, and are not used frequently by one and all. They are usually kept a secret. "Originality is the art of concealing your source." Franklin P. Jones

Know Your English

"What's wrong? You look really depressed." "With the stock market going south, I have every right to be." "What are you talking about? How can a market go south?" "When you say that something has `gone south', what you mean is that it has gone down in value or quality. For example, when share prices went south, investors panicked." "How about this example? Sania lost in the first round of the French Open. Her famous forehand seems to have gone south." "That's a good one. Tell me, did your friends lose a lot of money because of the crash?" "No, they sold off many of their stocks a week before the market went south. They must have got wind of the crash. That's probably why they sold off their shares." "Got wind of? What does it mean?" "You come to know about something which others are trying to keep a secret. For example, Jai got wind of the fact that I was taking Sarita to a movie." "I am sure he didn't like it one bit. How about this one? My father wanted to throw a surprise party for my sister. He made sure no one got wind of it." "Good. Tell me, how did your friends get wind of the fact that the market was going to crash?" "No clue. Wish they had told me though. I would have sold off some of the shares at least." "Where does the idiom `get wind of' come from? Any idea?" "Animals smell the wind to figure out which other animals are nearby." "The wind carries the scent of the other animals. Is that what you're saying?" "That's right! How is the bike that your uncle gave you on your birthday?" "It's okay. But I sure wish that he had got another colour. This one is ... ." "You know what they say. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth? What does that mean?"

"It means that when someone gives you a gift, don't go about finding fault with it. Accept it for what it's worth." "I see. My friend is leaving for the U.S for six months. She said that I could stay in her flat for free. Though there are several things wrong with the flat, I've decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth." "Excellent example. Tell me, what is the connection between a gift horse and its mouth? I mean... ." "People can tell how old a horse is by looking at its teeth. The longer the teeth, the older the horse is. So,... ." "When someone gifts you a horse, don't open its mouth to find out how young or old it is. If it is old, don't complain about it. After all, the horse is a gift." "Exactly! Accept the gift for what it's worth." "According to me, people should never complain about... ." "How many times have I told you about according to... ." "I don't know why, but I always keep forgetting. You cannot say, `according to me'. It's always according to someone else. According to my uncle I am brilliant." "Has your uncle actually said that to you?" "No, but I understand that he told my cousin... ." "Then it's just hearsay." "Hearsay? What does it mean?" "Things that one has heard from other people. They may or may not be true." "It's like a rumour, then?" "Kind of! A lot of things reported in this article are based on hearsay." "In our factory, we make lipstick. In our advertising, we sell hope." Charles Revson

July 2006

Know Your English

"How do you pronounce o..k..e..y and d..o..k..e..y?" "The `o' in the two words is pronounced like the `o' in `go', `no', and `so'." "The following syllable is pronounced like the word `key', I suppose?"

"You're absolutely right! The stress is on the first syllable of the two words. `Okey dokey' is a very informal way of saying O.K." "So when someone says, `Please give me Rs. 50', can I respond by saying, `Okey dokey'?" "You certainly can. But remember not to use the expression in formal contexts." "Okey dokey, I'll remember that! Now then, can you lend me Rs. 100?" "You're joking, right? You know that I don't... ." "Joking? Of course, not! I'm being serious. You see, I need the money to buy... ." "Forget it! I'm not lending you any money." "Forget it? You're not supposed to say `forget it'. You are supposed to say, `Okey dokey'." "Sorry. If it's money you want, ask Geetha. She has money coming out of her ears." "Money coming out of her ears? How is that possible?" "When you say that someone has something coming out of his ears, what you mean is that the person has lots of it. For example, if it is tax forms you want, ask Devidas. He's got forms coming out of his ears." "If you want pictures of Brett Lee, ask Ananya. She's got them coming out of her ears." "She's a big Brett Lee fan, isn't she? If it's an Asterix comic that you want, ask Bala. He's got them coming out of his ears." "I'm not interested in anything coming out of a person's ears. Well, since you're not willing to help me with money, can you help me with this problem in physics, at least?" "Me? Help you with physics? You must be kidding! Why don't you ask Sujatha?" "I did! But she said you knew a lot more about the subject than she did." "Ms. Know-it-all said that? I don't believe it!" "Ms. Know-it-all? Is that the expression that is used to refer to someone who knows everything?" "It's an expression used to talk about someone who thinks he knows everything." "I know the type. He tries to impress people with his knowledge. Ends up annoying them." "That's right! He is the sort... ." "So when you refer to someone as a `know-it-all', you are not really complimenting the person?" "Not at all! You are, in fact, showing your disapproval. For example, I don't wish to speak to that know-it-all."

"Saraswathi, the know-it-all in our family, told us to invest our funds in the stock market." "That doesn't sound like very good advice. It's also possible to say, `know-all'. They both have the same meaning. For example, nobody really likes Chandra because she is such a know-all." "Our class is full of know-alls." "You know who can help you with your physics problem? Mukund." "Mukund! He hardly opens his mouth. Gives the impression that he doesn't know anything." "Still waters run deep, my friend." "What are you talking about?" "It means that a quiet person may not be what he pretends to be. Just because someone remains quiet, doesn't mean he has no knowledge of the subject matter. He... " "He could be very knowledgeable or very passionate about the subject." "Exactly! The quiet person may be thinking important or deep thoughts. Surabhi has been very quiet of late. You know what they say, still waters run deep." "It's true that still waters run deep. But I don't think it applies in Janaki's case. She doesn't say much because she's half asleep most of the time." "That's a nasty thing to say." "I know! I'll see if Mukund is at home. See you tomorrow." "Okey dokey!" "Do Lipton employees take coffee breaks?" Steven Wright

What is the meaning of `stuck up'?

(Neha Singh, Pune) This is an informal way of calling someone `snooty' or `snobbish'. A person who is `stuck-up' thinks he is more important than others, and as a result, is often very unfriendly towards them. *What's got into Hamsa? Why is she so stuck-up? *When I met the star, I was pleasantly surprised. He wasn't at all stuck-up.

What is the meaning of `hornet's nest'?

(Monika Jain, Agra) A hornet is a large insect which has a relatively large sting. When you refer to a problem as being a hornet's nest, what you mean is that it is one that causes people to become angry. When you `stir

up a hornet's nest', you are asking for trouble; you say or do something controversial which results in a lot of commotion. *The teacher's article in the local paper stirred up a hornet's nest. *The Minister's remarks about the striking students stirred up a hornet's nest. How is word `cuisine' pronounced? (Durga, Chennai) The first syllable `cui' is pronounced like the `qui' in `quit', `quiz', and `quick'. The `s' that follows is like the `z' in `zip' and `zoo'; and the final `ine' is like the `een' in `seen', `teen', and `keen'. The main stress is on the second syllable. The word comes from French and is mostly used to talk about a particular style of cooking - the way in which an item is prepared. When you refer to the cuisine of a restaurant, you are talking about the different varieties of food served there. *The new restaurant on M.G Road offers excellent traditional Thai cuisine.

Can the word `doctor' be used as a verb?

(Anjali Dutta, Patna) Yes, it can. When someone `doctors' something, he makes some changes in it in order to deceive people. For example, companies, in order to show a huge profit, sometimes change the figures in their accounts. They do this in the hope that their share prices will go up. This practice of changing figures dishonestly is called doctoring. *These reports suggest that it was the Professor who doctored the figures. *According to the film star, her ex-husband doctored the photographs. When someone doctors your drink or food, they spice it up with a little bit of poison! *The police suspect that it was the partner who doctored the drink. *The dog's food had been doctored.

What is the meaning and origin of `Utopian'?

(G. Aruna, Trichy) The word `utopia' comes from the Greek `ou' and `topos' meaning `nowhere'; in other words, it is a place that doesn't exist. Utopia is an imaginary island created by Sir Thomas More in his book written in 1516. The happy inhabitants of this make-believe island enjoyed near perfect living conditions; they had the perfect social and political systems. Nowadays, when you say that a person is `utopian', what you mean is that he always aims for something that is impossible to achieve. When you dismiss someone's plan as being `utopian', you are ridiculing it because you believe that it is unrealistic. Utopian has acquired a negative meaning. *Padma, like her father, was pursuing a utopian dream of world peace. *The singer was truly utopian. He believed that countries could exist without borders.

Samuel Butler wrote a novel in 1872 called `Erehwon' in which he made fun of utopian concepts. `Erehwon' is actually `nowhere' spelt backwards! "The vanity of teaching doth oft tempt a man to forget that he is a blockhead." George Saville

When we say it's spiting, we mean it is raining very lightly

"Hi! Come on in. I'll be almost ready. Do I need to take my umbrella?" "What for? It's only spitting." "Spitting? Who is spitting? What are you talking about?" "I am talking about the rain, of course! When you say it's spitting, what you mean is that it is raining very lightly." "I see. Can I say, we managed to complete our game because it was only spitting?" "You certainly can! Here's another example. When it started spitting just before the women's singles final, the organisers became somewhat worried." "Did you watch the game between France and Italy? It was really exciting, wasn't it?" "Many thought it was a barnburner. But personally, I...." "Barnburner? What does it mean?" "When you say that an event was a barnburner, what you mean is that it was excellent or very exciting." "In other words, something that is a barnburner arouses a great deal of interest." "Exactly! I thought that the match between Federer and Nadal would be a barnburner. I was thoroughly disappointed." "When India and Pakistan play an ODI, it's always a barnburner." "Good example." "Why were you disappointed with the World Cup final? Many of the commentators said it was a barnburner." "Frankly, I think it was just lip gloss. I think they were...." "Lip gloss? Isn't that something that women put on to make their lips shiny?" "Yes, that's right. When somebody tells you something, and you dismiss it as being lip gloss, what you mean is that the person is exaggerating. For example, don't believe anything that the Registrar said during the meeting. His words are just lip gloss." "Can the term be used to mean to lie or exaggerate?"

"Yes, it certainly can!" "Then, how about this example? According to Dharmendra, everything Gayathri says is just lip gloss. The woman is a born liar." "Sounds good to me. By the way, `lip gloss' like the expression `barnburner' is mostly used in informal contexts. So be careful about how you use it." "And you should be careful too! You shouldn't put a curse on other people." "Me? Put a curse on someone? What are you talking about?" "Last week you got angry with my Principal and said something...." "Oh, I remember that! I said I hope the man breaks his leg, or something like that." "That's right! Well, believe it or not, he slipped in the bathroom yesterday, and broke his leg." "What are you trying to do? Send me on a guilt trip of some kind? If you are...." "Send you on a guilt trip? Are you...." "When you send someone on...." "I think I know what the expression means. When you send someone on a guilt trip, you try to make the person feel very guilty about something. Am I right?" "One hundred per cent. For example, my parents always try to send me on a guilt trip for not calling them often enough." "It is also possible to say, `lay/put a guilt trip on someone'. For example, Madhu put the guilt trip on all of us for not helping her during her time of need. So, who is going to be the acting Principal?" "According to rumours, it's going to be some senior faculty." "Don't say `senior faculty'. You can either say, `a senior faculty member' or `a senior member of the faculty'. But not, `senior faculty'." "I see. Shall we take a walk in the spitting rain?" "It's a wise husband who will buy his wife such fine china that she won't trust him to wash the dishes." Unknown

What is the meaning and origin of `top brass'?

(S. M. Chidambaram, Tirunelveli) Many reporters just love this expression; they use it all the time. Any time the top people of an organisation are present during a press conference, the reporter says/writes that it was attended by the `top brass'. The expression is considered to be informal, and is mostly used in British English. *The minister has said that there will be a reshuffle of the army's top brass.

The expression `top brass' was first used in the Army. `Brass' referred to the gold braid found on the hats of military officers it indicated the individual's rank. The word `brass' is actually a shortened form of `brass hat', and this was the term used by enlisted men in the late 19th century to refer to their commanding officers. It was during World War II that `brass hat' became `top brass'. As time went by, the expression began to be used in non-military contexts; important individuals of an organisation began to be called `top brass'. The term `the brass' can also be used to refer to such people.

Is it OK to say, `I am crazy after English'?

(Madhulika, Kanpur) No, it is not. You are usually `crazy about' something, and not `crazy after' something. When you are crazy about something, you like it very much. You go after it because you are very interested in it. It is also possible to say, `mad about' something. *Most students in my class are mad about cricket.

How is the word `schism' pronounced?

(R. Dilip Kumar, Cochin) There are different ways of pronouncing the word. Some people pronounce the `sch' like the `sch' in `school', `scholar', and `scheme'. Others pronounce it like the `s' in `sit', `sip' and `sat'. The `i' is like the `i' in `bit', `hit' and `sit', and the following `s' is like the `z' in `zip', `zoo', and `zero'. The sound that follows the `s' is like the `a' in `china', and the final `m' is like the `m' in `monkey' and `money'. The main stress is on the first syllable. Schism is a word mostly used in formal contexts. In India, we often see political parties splitting into two. This breaking up of a party or organisation due to differences in beliefs is referred to as `schism'. The word was originally used to refer to a split within the church. *This report says that differing views caused a schism among the members.

Why do we say `hue and cry'?

(C. Ashok, Hyderabad) First, let's deal with the pronunciation of `hue'. The `hu' is like the `hu' in `human' and `huge', and the vowel that follows is like `oo' in `cool', `pool', and `school'. When a politician is caught with his hands in the cookie jar, people raise a hue and cry about corruption. In other words, they complain about it rather noisily; sometimes, there is a public protest. This outcry or noisy protest is referred to as `hue and cry'. *There was a hue and cry when the Government decided to increase taxes. Dictionaries define `hue' as colour. What does colour have to do with noise? Nothing. The `hue' in the expression is from the French `huer' meaning, `to shout after'. `Hue and cry' is a legal term used in the 13th century to refer to a group of people running after a thief. What do people do when they run after a thief? They shout and create all kinds of noise to attract attention! What is the meaning of `mull over'?

(P. Balakrishnan, Mangalore) When you `mull over' a problem or plan, you think about it for a long time before arriving at a decision. *Shashi has been mulling over the problem for several weeks now. "I told my mother-in-law that my house was her house, and she said, `Get the hell off my property'." Joan Rivers

Know Your English

"You're actually smiling today! What's the reason?" "I'll soon have Rs. 50 in my pocket." "Wow, Rs. 50! What are you going to do? Rob a bank?" "You know you don't have a sense of humour. So stop trying to be funny. I had a bet with Sujatha. I told her that s..t..o..v..e rhymes with `glove', `love' and ... ." "You're toast, my friend." "I'm toast! What does that mean?" "It means you can kiss your Rs. 50 good bye. When you tell someone that he's toast, what you mean is that he's in big trouble. For example, when Jai's mother found out that he had broken her favourite flower vase, he was toast." "So when somebody says, `I failed to complete the project', can I respond by saying, `You're toast, my friend'?" "You certainly can. The expression is used in informal contexts. Here's another example. When the Principal walked into the classroom looking really angry, I knew we were toast." "So tell me, why do you think I'm toast?" "Because you have lost the bet with Sujatha. The `o' in s..t..o..v..e is not pronounced like the `o' in `glove' or `love', but like the `o' in `go', `so' and `no'." "That can't be true. Please tell me you're joking." "Hey, I don't have a sense of humour, remember? I am afraid you'll have to pay up." "Maybe I should talk to Sujatha and try to... ." "Why would you want to get involved in a conversation with her? You know she has a bad case of verbal diarrhoea." "Verbal diarrhoea? Does it mean talking too much? Unable to shut up?"

"Exactly. A person who has verbal diarrhoea talks continuously. Talks non-stop. Siddhu has verbal diarrhea." "If you ask me, many of our politicians have a serious case of verbal diarrhoea." "That's a good example. So, what are you going to do?" "About Sujatha, you mean? I am not really sure. I think I will argue with her... ." "Listen, no matter how much you argue, at some point you will have to throw in the towel. You... ." "Throw in the towel? What are you talking about?" "When you thrown in the towel, you decide to stop doing what you have been attempting to. You decide not to pursue the matter. You just give up." "In other words, you quit doing what you were doing." "Exactly! Although Nadal lost the first two sets, he didn't throw in the towel." "How about this example? Amru has been working on the problem for two days now. He refuses to throw in the towel." "It is also possible to say, `throw in the sponge'. When things didn't go according to plan, she threw in the sponge." "Tell me, where does the idiom `throw in the towel' come from?" "It comes from the world of boxing. You see during a fight, the boxer's trainer/manager stays with him. In between rounds, he gives the fighter water, tells him what his opponent is doing, wipes the sweat and blood off the boxer's face, and... ." "And he uses a sponge or a towel to do this!" "That's right! If he feels that his fighter is taking too much punishment, he may decide to call the fight off." "This is to prevent any serious injury, I suppose." "Yes. In order to stop the fight, what the trainer/manager does is to throw the towel or sponge into the ring. This is a signal to the referee that he wants the fight to be stopped." "I see. So he actually throws a towel into the ring. Interesting. Do you think you can lend me Rs. 50?" "If God wanted us to be brave, why did he give us legs?" Marvin Kitman

August 2006

Know your English

"Is something the matter? You look very depressed." "I feel depressed too. My best friend is leaving for Delhi tomorrow. His father has been transferred." "These things happen. Listen, your quarterly exams start next week. If you want to do well in them, you'd better snap out of it soon." "Snap out of what?" "Your depression, of course. When you tell someone to snap out of something, what you mean is that you want them to get over it." "So in my case, you're telling me to overcome my sense of depression." "When we lost the World Cup, many of my friends were very disappointed. It took them a while to snap out of it." "I remember how disappointed I was. Hey, are you going somewhere? You seem to be all packed." "Going to Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow. Remember the project I was telling you about? The one... " "The client liked your ideas? Congrats." "I didn't say that. They want me to come over... ." "To sign the contract! What else could they want? You've clinched the deal!" "You know what they say. It's not over till the fat lady sings." "Fat lady? What fat lady? What are you talking about?" "It's an expression mostly used in American English. When you say that something is not over till the fat lady sings, what you mean is that you can't be sure of the result till the very end." "Though you may seem as if you are losing, you might end up winning. In other words, don't give up!" "Yes, something like that." "We need to get 150 runs in 10 overs. As they say, it's not over till the fat lady sings." "Good example. " "Are you flying or taking the train?" "Since the company is paying, I'm flying. I should be back in a couple of days." "You will get done in two days? That's pretty fast. So, when... ." "In this context, a `couple' doesn't have to mean two days. It could be more. If you say that you'll be gone a couple of days, what you mean is that you will be gone for a few days."

"So when you say that a couple of shops were open, it can mean that more than two shops were open?" "That's right. The word `couple' is often used to mean two or more." "In other words, a few shops were open, but not many." "Exactly!" "Where will you be staying in Thiruvananthapuram? Will you staying with your friend, Bala?" "No, I haven't touched base with him in a while. So, I don't think... ." "Touched base with him? Does it mean keep in touch with him?" "Very good. That's exactly what it means." "How about this example? Do you want me to touch base with you while you are in Thiruvananthapuram?" "No thanks. I think I want to be left in peace. I will touch base with you when I return." "So if you are not staying with Bala, where will you be staying?" "The company that's invited me is putting me up in a really top-drawer hotel." "Top-drawer hotel! Does it mean top quality or something like that?" "Exactly. My cousin is on the lookout for a teacher who is top-drawer." " How about this example? The college that my cousin's children go to is top-drawer. You should see the place... ." "I'm sure it's a great place. Listen, my flight leaves early tomorrow. Need to get my sleep." "O.K. Have a safe flight." "Thanks." "A rule of thumb in the matter of medical advice is to take everything any doctor says with a grain of aspirin." Goodman Ace

What is the killing of one's brother called?

(Madhu Sudhan Rao, Vijayawada) The killing of one's brother is referred to as `fratricide'. The `a' is pronounced like the `a' in `pact', `fact', and `tact'; the following `i' is like the `i' in `sit', `bit', and `hit'. The final `cide' is pronounced like the word `side', and the stress is on the first syllable. This is one way of pronouncing the word. `Frater' in Latin means `brother' and `cida' means `killer'. There are many words in English ending with the suffix `cide'. For example, the killing of one's father is `patricide'.

`Matricide' is the killing of one's mother, and when a parent kills his/her child, it's called `filicide'. If you kill another human being it's `homicide', and when you kill yourself, it's `suicide'.

What is the meaning of `raise the bar'?

(Ramesh Pahwa, New Delhi) The expression comes from the world of athletics. In high jump and pole-vault, when you clear a particular height, the horizontal bar is raised to a new level to see if you can jump even higher. Every time you clear the hurdle, the bar is raised, and you are set a new challenge. When you raise the bar for something, you raise the level; in other words, you set a higher standard. *The students went on strike because the Principal raised the bar for admission. *The CEO had to lower the bar in order to give his son the job.

Why do we say `five star hotel' and not `five stars hotel'?
(K. Subramanian, Nagercoil) This is because `star' is functioning as an adjective, and not as a noun. You can say that you saw `Five stars shining in the sky.' But when a noun like hotel follows the word `star', you say, `I had dinner in a three star hotel'. You do not say, `three stars hotel'. Similarly, you say, `I want five rupees'. But when the word `rupees' is followed by the noun `coin' or `note', you say, `I need a five rupee coin/note'. You do not say, `five rupees note'. Joggers talk about a `twenty-mile marathon', and not a `twenty miles marathon'.

How is the word `embarrass' pronounced?

(Tejaswini, Pune ) The first syllable is like the `im' in `him', `slim', and `Kim'; the following `a', which has the main stress, is pronounced like the `a' in `cat', `bat', and `hat'. The final `a' is like the `a' in `china'. When you do something that you are ashamed of, you say that you are embarrassed by what you did. The word can also be used to mean nervous or uncomfortable. *Shantha gave an embarrassed smile when she spilt orange juice on her friend's new carpet. *The questions that the psychiatrist asked embarrassed Jai's daughter.

What is the difference between a `story' and a `tale'?

(Deepa Wodeyar, Devanagere) Of the two, `story' is the more general word. A story can be real or fictitious, and it can be written or oral. You can talk about a story that you read in the newspaper, or a story that your grandmother told you as a child. The newspaper story could be true, but the one that your grandmother told you could be made up. A story can be in the form of poetry or prose and it usually, not always, deals with a series of incidents in an individual's life. *Listen, give me the facts. I don't want to hear the story of your life.

*After seeing the film, he went around telling the story to everyone. Unlike a story, a `tale' is usually fictitious; the word carries with it a sense of exaggeration. Tales, in general, deal with exciting, but imaginary events that took place in ancient times and in far off lands. For example, we talk about the tales of King Arthur and the Round Table. "Make crime pay. Become a lawyer." Will Rogers

Know Your English

"I want you to return the Rs. 50 that you borrowed from me a couple of weeks ago." "Can I give it to you next month? You see, I don't...." "Sorry, I want the money by tomorrow. I want my pound of flesh." "Your pound of flesh? What are you talking about?" "When someone demands their pound of flesh, they want something that they are entitled to. They want it even though it might create problems for the person it is demanded from." "In other words, you are forcing the person to pay you back even though you may not need the money that you are asking for?" "That's right! You ask for what is due to you, even though you know it's going to create problems for the other person. For example, the family's distress had absolutely no effect on the greedy moneylender. He was determined to get his pound of flesh." "Do you know where the expression comes from?" "Doesn't it come from Shakespeare's, `The Merchant of Venice'?" "Very good. Something funny happened today. The accountant asked my boss for a raise." "Your accountant? You mean the new guy? He joined your firm only last month, didn't he?" "Yes, he's been with us for just three weeks. So it was rather surprising when...." "Surprising? It's crazy. How did your boss react?" "He was dumbfounded. He just...." "I don't think it's nice to call your boss, stupid. You should...." "I didn't call my boss `dumb'. I said that he was `dumbfounded'. Any idea what the word means?" "Does it mean `surprised' or something like that?" "Very good. When you're dumbfounded by something, you're extremely surprised or shocked by it. You're more or less rendered speechless. For example, the newly appointed teacher stared dumbfounded as the children screamed at one other."

"Tell me, why did your new accountant ask for a raise? It seems rather foolish." "You know what they say! Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." "What does that mean?" "It means inexperienced or ignorant people often do things without really thinking things through. They end up doing things which informed or experienced people would avoid." "Rajeev was keen on becoming the President of the Club. Now he feels he shouldn't have contested. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Tell me, what did your boss do? Did he have a good laugh and tell the accountant that he should wait?" "My boss is a nice guy, but he doesn't suffer fools gladly." "Don't think I have come across that expression before." "When you say that someone doesn't suffer fools gladly, what you mean is that the individual doesn't tolerate stupidity." "The lady who teaches us English is a wonderful teacher. But she doesn't suffer fools gladly." "My uncle is a fair man, but he doesn't suffer fools gladly." "I don't think anyone does. Anyway, what did your boss tell the accountant?" "We don't know what exactly he said, but he gave him an earful." "An earful of what?" "When you say that you got an earful from someone, you mean that the person spoke to you angrily for a long time. The teacher gave the students an earful for not doing their homework." "When I came home late last week, my mother gave me an earful." "And if you don't return the Rs. 50 by tomorrow, you will get an earful from me." "You want your pound of flesh, don't you? You're worse than Shylock." Sign at a cemetery: "Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own graves."

What is the difference between `advisor' and `adviser'?

(K.M.G. Vivekanandam, Madurai) There is no difference in meaning between the two words. Both are used to refer to someone (usually an expert) whose job it is to advise other people. For example, film stars often consult financial advisers to find out what to do with their money. When they get into trouble, the stars consult a legal adviser. Most dictionaries that we get in India, list `adviser' as the first choice, and `advisor' as the second. This is because in British English the word is spelt `a..d..v..i..s..e..r'; `a..d..v..i..s..o..r' is the way Americans spell the word. While surfing the net, one encounters `advisor' much more frequently than `adviser'.

What is the meaning of `cross the bridge when you come to it'?
(Bhaskar, Trivandrum) This idiom is used to tell someone not to worry about things that may or may not happen in the future. Very often, when we come up with what we think is a good proposal, the prophets of doom in the office give us a detailed account of the things that could possibly go wrong. They take great delight in telling us why the project will fail, and they come up with all kinds of imaginary problems. In such a context, if you tell your detractors that you will cross the bridge when you come to it, what you mean is that you will deal with the various problems as and when they arise. You are not going to worry about them unnecessarily right now. *What if we run out of funding? We'll cross the bridge when we come to it. *Mohan seemed unconcerned. He said that he would cross the bridge when he came to it.

Which is correct? `A small percentage of the students is worked up about the fee hike' or `A small percentage of the students are worked up about the fee hike'.
(Rajender, Patna) People who are fond of grammar would argue that when the word `percentage' is preceded by the definite article `the', then the verb is usually singular. It doesn't really matter if the noun preceding the verb is singular or plural. *The percentage of students from Delhi is relatively small. Although the noun (`students') is plural, the verb that follows (`is') is singular. *The percentage of people willing to participate keeps decreasing every year. When you talk about `a percentage', on the other hand, it can be followed by a singular or plural verb. It depends on the noun which follows `percentage'. *A very small percentage of the students are from Delhi. *I'm told that a small percentage of Padma's income goes to charity.

What is the origin of the word `nightmare'?

(L. Srinivas, Hyderabad) Dreams can be pleasant or unpleasant. Nightmares, on the other hand, are always unpleasant. A frightening dream is usually called a nightmare. When you've had a nightmare, you wake up gasping for breath. The `mare' in `nightmare' has nothing to do with a female horse. The word comes from Old English `mare' meaning `incubus'. An incubus, people believed, was an evil spirit which sat on a person's chest while he slept hence, the feeling of suffocation. "Children are unpredictable. You never know what inconsistency they're going to catch you in next." Franklin P. Jones

September 2006

What is the meaning and origin of `you're nuts'?

(C.V. Geetha, Hyderabad) When somebody tells you that you are nuts, what they mean is that you are crazy. The expression is mostly used in informal contexts. * Naresh wants to invest all his savings in the stock market. The guy is nuts, I tell you. * I wouldn't go out with that guy if I were you. My friends tell me he's nuts. During the middle of the 19th century, the word `nut' began to be used to refer to an individual's head. This was because some people thought that there was a similarity between the shape of a nut and the shape of a human head! Another similarity they found was that the nut, like the human head, was hard and the most important thing in both cases was contained inside and not outside! Whatever be the case, the head began to be referred to as a `nut'. Around this time, the expression `off one's head' was frequently used to mean `out of one's mind; crazy'. As time went by, the word `head' was replaced by `nut' in the expression, and very soon the word `nut' acquired the meaning `crazy'. Anyone who was crazy was called `nuts', and the hospital for people who had mental illness began to be called a `nut house'.

How is the word `Renaissance' pronounced?

(Vivek, Lucknow) The `e' in the first syllable is like the `i' in `bit', `sit', and `hit'; the `ai' is like the `ay' in `day', `bay', and `say'. The `a' is pronounced like the `o' in `lot', `got', and `hot', and the final `ce' is like the `ce' in `dance', `France', and `chance'. The `ss' sounds like the `s' in `sit', and the main stress is on the second syllable `nai'. This is one way of pronouncing the word. The period between the 14th and 16th centuries is usually referred to as the `Renaissance'. The word means `rebirth', and during this period, people in Europe began to take an active interest in art, literature, and science. Renaissance is now used to talk about a rebirth of interest in some activity. For example, if you say that letter writing is experiencing a renaissance, what you mean is that people are taking an interest in it; letter writing is becoming popular again. Someone who shows a great a deal of interest in the arts and sciences and has a wide range of interests in other things is called a `Renaissance man'. He/she is someone who does a lot of different things very well. * Ramanan is a writer, director, painter, and musician a real Renaissance man.

What is the difference between `He cooked a good meal' and `He cooked up a good meal'?
(T.Mala, Thiruvananthapuram) The result is the same in both cases you end up eating a good meal! `Cook up' suggests that the various dishes were prepared rather quickly, and at short notice. The expression is considered to be informal and has the same meaning as `rustle up'. * My grandmother managed to cook up a decent meal for the guests who arrived unannounced.

* My appointment has been cancelled. Think you'll be able to rustle up something for lunch?

Which is correct? `My wife knows well that I can't sing' or `My wife knows that I can't sing well'?
(S. Chethan, Nagpur) Both sentences are grammatically acceptable, but they don't have the same meaning. The first sentence suggests that your wife knows that you cannot sing. There is no doubt in her mind that you are not a singer. The second sentence suggests that your wife knows that you can sing but not very well. In this case, you are a singer, but not a good one. * You know well that I don't play tennis. (You know that I don't play tennis at all.) * You know that I don't play tennis well. (I can play tennis, but I am not very good at it.) "The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own." Unknown

Know Your English

"For someone who is supposed to be going on vacation, you don't look very happy." "Who said that I was going anywhere?" "You told me last week that you would ask your boss if you could...." "I asked my boss if I could take the week off, and he cut me dead." "Cut you dead, eh? Well, if he did that, how come you are sitting here talking to me?" "Not very funny, I'm afraid. When someone cuts you dead, he or she just ignores you. The person may see you, but chooses not to acknowledge your presence." "In other words, the person will look right through you. He will pretend you don't exist." "Exactly! For example, I tried to greet our friend Sujatha this morning, but she cut me dead." "She had every reason to. I understand that you had some nasty things to say about her latest story. How about this example? Raja is acting crazy these days. This morning he cut my father dead." "That doesn't sound like Raja. I was told by his....." "The Manager was about to speak when the CEO cut her dead." "Sounds good. Let me tell you what I told Sujatha. I said...." "I'm not interested in what you told her. But tell me, what's wrong with Raja? He used to be such a fun person to be with. Now he seems worried all the time."

"Some of his classmates tell me that he's become a cyberchondriac." "Cyberchondriac? Don't think I've come across that word before." "Do you know what `hypochondriac' means?" "I think I do. Isn't a hypochondriac someone who constantly worries about his health? Although there may be nothing really wrong with him, he always imagines that there is something seriously wrong." "That's right! A hypochondriac is obsessed about his health. He has imaginary ailments." "Such people give doctors a tough time. Luckily, we don't have a hypochondriac in our family." "We have several in ours. You are welcome to one." "No thanks. Coming back to the point, who is a cyberchondriac?" "Well, he is someone who gets all his medical information from the Internet and...." "He reads about the various diseases going around, and imagines that he has them too." "I am told that my boss' wife is a cyberchondriac." "Maybe that's the reason your boss is in a bad mood all the time." "That could explain why he cut me dead this morning." "You need a little cheering up. How about a movie?" "Sorry, I can't. A colleague of mine is immigrating to New Zealand. So the boys in the office are throwing him a farewell party." "Tell me, what's the difference between `emigrate' and `immigrate'?" "Well, in both cases the person is leaving the country he was born in, and...." "I know that. He is moving to another country on a permanent basis. He plans to settle down there." "That's right! The word `emigrate' is normally used to refer to the movement from a place. When the person leaves his country of origin, he is emigrating. For example, my colleague is leaving India ...." "He is emigrating from India to New Zealand." "The person who `immigrates', moves to another country. In this case, you are talking about the movement in terms of the country the person is going to settle in." "Exactly! During the Second World War, lots of Germans immigrated to the United States." "If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?" Abraham Lincoln

What is the meaning of `sweep under the carpet'?

(Lidwin, Coimbatore) When you sweep or brush something under the carpet, you attempt to hide something embarrassing from others. Instead of dealing with your problem, you try to keep it a secret. It is also possible to say `sweep something under the mat/rug'. *The Government has managed to sweep the cola controversy under the carpet. *The actor tried to sweep the embarrassing incident under the rug. Where does this expression come from? What is it that lazy people normally do when they are asked to clean a carpeted room? They sweep around the carpet, and instead of bending down to collect the dust, they quietly sweep it under the carpet!

How is the word `faux pas' pronounced?

(K. R. Karnik, Karkala) The `au' in the first word is pronounced like the `oa' in `coat', `boat', and `goat'; the following `x' is silent. The `a' in `pa' is like `a' in `cart', `part', and `dart'; the `s' is silent. The main stress is on `pas'. Faux pas comes from French, and it literally means `false step'. When you commit a faux pas you commit a social blunder. You violate certain accepted, though unwritten, social rule and in the process you end up doing something that is socially embarrassing. These unwritten rules vary from culture to culture. For example, in India, it would be considered a faux pas to walk into someone's kitchen or puja room with one's shoes on. *The speaker apologised to the audience for his faux pas. The word `faux', which means false, is used quite frequently in the world of fashion and interior design. For example, people talk about `faux fur' and `faux leather' to mean `false fur' and `false leather'. When someone says that he's bought a `fauxlex', what he means is that he has bought a `fake Rolex'!

What is the meaning of `apropos', and how is the word used?

(Kunthala, Bangalore) First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The `a' sounds like the `a' in `act', cat', and `hat'; the following `o' is like the `a' in `china'. The final `o' is pronounced like the `oa' in `coat', `boat', and `goat'; the `s' is silent. The stress is on the final syllable. The expression `apropos of' is usually used to introduce a new subject, but one which is connected to what you were talking about earlier. *I received a call from Priyanka last night apropos of which, did you send her the paintings? When you say that something is `apropos', you mean that it is suitable for the situation. *The Vice Chancellor's remarks were very apropos.

What is the meaning of `git'?

(Avinash, Tirupathi) When you call another person a `git', what you mean is that you dislike him because you find him annoying. The `g' is like the `g' in `get' and `guess', and the following `it' is pronounced like the word `it'. `Git' is used in British English in informal contexts to refer to a man. *How could you have fallen in love with a git like him? *Tell the git standing over there to stop whistling. The word is also used to mean `get'.

Is `pair of' followed by a singular or plural verb?

(G. Ravindran, Kochi) You normally use `a pair of' when you are talking about two things which are of the same size and which are used together - for example, shoes, gloves, etc. When used in this manner, it can be followed by a singular or a plural verb. *The pair of gloves I liked was not for sale. *The man put on a pair of black shoes that were in the veranda. "Everyone who is incapable of learning has taken to teaching." Oscar Wilde

October 2006

What is the meaning of `Bangalored'?

(Ravi Nagaprasad, Hyderabad) The Americans invented this word, and they have been using it quite frequently. As you know, many multinationals, in order to save money, are outsourcing their work to cities in India. When an American says that he has been `Bangalored', what he means is that he has lost his job because his company has decided to move its operations to a city in India not necessarily Bangalore. * According to the article, another 10,000 people will be Bangalored by the end of the year. It is not often that the name of a city is used as a verb. As a proud Hyderbadi, you may wonder why the Americans chose the city of Bangalore. You must remember that during the early stages of outsourcing, most of the companies were moving to this city Bangalore was then perceived as the Silicon Valley of India. The Americans' fear of losing jobs to the city of Bangalore gave rise to another word `Bangalorephobia'.

What is the difference between `The theatre is closed' and `The theatre has been closed'?

(Revathi, Mysore) The first sentence suggests that the theatre is not open at the moment; it is locked for the time being. Chances are, it will open a little later. It has not been closed permanently. The second sentence, on the other hand, seems to suggest that someone has forcibly closed down the theatre. Perhaps the municipal authorities were unhappy with the safety features, and decided to shut the place down. In this case, the closure is either permanent or for a lengthy period of time.

What is the meaning and origin of `let your hair down'?

(Anmol Wakandar, Ernakulam) Some people are very reserved when they are in the company of others. When you tell a person to let his hair down, what you mean is that you want him to relax and start enjoying himself. You want him to speak his mind. * It was only after the completion of his last exam that Chetan let his hair down. In the old days, women had to put their hair up in a bun during the daytime. The only time when they could literally let their hair down and be themselves was when they were ready to go to bed.

How is the expression `sotto voce' pronounced?

(L. Balaji, Chennai) The first `o' in `sotto' is like the `o' in `hot', `got', and `pot'; the second is like the `o' in `go', `so', and `no'. The `o' in `voce' is pronounced like the second `o' in `sotto'. The `c' that follows is like the `sh' in `sheep', `should', and `ship'; the final `e' is like the `i' in `bit', `pit', and `hit'. The main stress is on the first syllable of `voce'. The word comes from Italian; `sotto' means `under' and `voce' means `voice'. When you say something `sotto voce', you say it in a soft voice. Whatever you say is spoken in a low volume; you speak softly out of the corner of your mouth, so that you are not overheard by anyone. The word is considered literary, and is mostly used in formal contexts. * During the principal's speech, several students made snide remarks sotto voce. "She was what we used to call a suicide blonde dyed by her own hand." Saul Bellow

What is the meaning of `geek'?

(Babu, Coimbatore) This is a word mostly used in informal contexts, and it has several different meanings. One of the meanings of `geek' is a boring individual who walks around wearing rather unfashionable clothes. This person has little or no social skills. *You must be nuts to ask a geek like Govind tips about fashion. *I don't want you to invite that geek Harish to our party.

An individual who is an expert, or is very knowledgeable in his limited area of interest (for example, computers) can also be called a geek. He is someone whose focus of interest is rather narrow, but he knows everything about the subject. *If it is a computer geek you require, you'd better hire Dravid. He's excellent. *I want to learn everything on my own. I don't want some geek telling me everything. I understand the word comes from the Dutch `geck' which means `fool'. It is in this sense that Shakespeare used the word in some of his plays. In the 1920s, the Americans used the word `geek' to refer to an individual in a carnival who performed bizarre acts. The original `geek' was someone who entertained his audience by biting off a live chicken's/snake's head! With the passage of time, the word began to be used to refer to anyone who was socially inept; whose interests were very different from those of others.

What is the difference between `inform of' and `inform on'?

(R. Sekhar, Hyderabad) When someone is `informed of' something, he is formally told about the facts; the information is passed on to him. *Please be here at 2:00 o'clock tomorrow. I will inform you of my decision then. *We were informed of the change in plans last night. When you `inform on' someone, you give information about the individual to the authorities. In other words, you tattle on the person. The people in power may use the information you provide against the person. Here are a few examples. *If you continue to come late like this, I'm afraid that I'll have to inform on you. *It was his own friends who informed the police on him.

How is the word `braggadocio' pronounced? What does it mean?

(K. Jayanthi, Mumbai) The first syllable is pronounced like the word `brag'; the `a' in the second is like `a' in `china'. The `o' in the third and final syllable sounds like the `o' in `no', `so', and `go'. The `ci' is like the `shi' in `ship' and `shin'. The main stress is on the third syllable `do'. Braggadocio is a literary word and is mostly used in formal contexts. A `braggadocio', as the word suggests, is someone who brags about himself quite a bit. He is vain and therefore talks about his achievements in a rather proud manner. Most of the time, it is only empty boasting. The word comes from the name of a boastful character (Braggadocchio) in Edmund Spenser's poem `Faerie Queene'. *Tarun came across as a braggadocio that deliberately tried to make others uncomfortable. *According to reporters, the Chairman's braggadocio at the meeting was a sign of weakness, not strength.

"A statesman is a politician who places himself at the service of the nation. A politician is a statesman who places the nation at his service."

Know your English

"How is the course that you've been asked to attend? Are you enjoying it?" "Not really. It's turning out to be a Mickey Mouse course, I'm afraid." "A Mickey Mouse course? What does it mean? Does it mean useless or something like that?" "If you refer to a course as being a Mickey Mouse course, what you mean is that it's a very simple course. It's not at all challenging, and you end up learning absolutely nothing." "According to Sujatha most colleges offer only Mickey Mouse courses." "You met Sujatha? Did you tell her about your plan to... ." "Yes, I did. She said that the plan was pretty idiotic. My friend who was with me was shocked to hear her say that. To tell you the truth, so was I. There are times when I can't stand Sujatha. She's just too blunt." "There's nothing wrong in calling a spade a spade." "There's nothing wrong in calling a spade a spade? What are you talking about?" "When you call a spade a spade, you tell the truth about the matter. Even if it means being unpleasant." "In other words, you tell it like it is. You are very direct, no matter how unpleasant or embarrassing... ." "That's right! You speak plainly and frankly. My uncle always calls a spade a spade. When I was young, whenever he found me saying or doing something stupid, he didn't hesitate to call me an idiot." " Tell me, is w... a... r... y pronounced the same way as w... e... a...r...y?" "No, the two words are pronounced differently. The first syllable `w..a..r' in `w..a..r..y is pronounced like the word `where'." "And the final `y' is like the `i' in `it', `bit', and `sit', I suppose?" "You're right! In fact, that's how the final `y' in w... e... a...r...y is pronounced as well. The `ea' in the first syllable of the word sounds like the `ea' in `dear', `near', and `fear'. In both `weary' and `wary', the stress is on the first syllable." "I see. But what is the difference in meaning between the two?" "When you say that someone looks `weary', what you mean is that the person looks exhausted. For example, after swimming non-stop for seven hours, the young boy looked pale and weary." "When you say that you have become weary of something, what you mean is that you have become tired of it."

"In other words, you have lost your enthusiasm for it." " Many people have become weary of the war in Iraq." " Tell me, how... ." "What does `wary' mean?" "When you are wary of something, you are unsure of it, and therefore you are cautious of it." "Is it because you think it could be dangerous?" "It could be dangerous or it may cause problems for you. The word can be used with people as well. For example, most parents teach their children to be wary of strangers." " It's also possible to `keep a wary eye' on someone or something." "What does it mean?" "When you keep a wary eye on someone, you watch them very carefully to see what they are up to." "The shareholders kept a wary eye on the developing story." "I don't think I'll be able to keep a wary eye on anyone right now. I'm feeling sleepy." "Being a philosopher, I have a problem for every solution." Robert Zend

Know your English

"What's wrong? You don't look happy at all about something." "It's the two new people in the Accounts Department. My boss... ." "Oh yeah! You told me that you were hiring some new people. Young ones." "We asked for young people. But my boss decided to hire some tired retreads." "Retread? What are you talking about?" "When you refer to someone as a retread, what you mean is that he's burnt out. He has nothing to offer." "In other words, he's very old." "Not necessarily. He's a burnout. Nowadays, a lot of people burn out when they are relatively young." "That's true. It happens in the corporate world quite a bit. So a retread is like a retread tyre?" "I guess you could say that. He's been made over and is unlikely to last for a long time."

"How about this example? When the government does decide to hire new teachers, I hope they get young people. Not a whole bunch of retreads." "That's a good example." " It's important to remember that the word is mostly used in informal contexts. And you never tell someone that he is a retread to his face." "Most people working for any government agency are either retreads or clock-watchers." "Clock-watchers? Haven't heard that expression before." "A clock-watcher is someone... ." "Hey, the meaning is fairly obvious. A clock-watcher is probably an employee who keeps looking at the clock instead of doing his work." "It needn't be an employee. It could be anyone. A student could be a clock-watcher as well. " "My father says that there are five clock-watchers in his department." "You stop being a clock-watcher when you are working on a crossword puzzle, though. You've been sitting with that one for two hours now. Why don't you give up?" "I can't. I have only one left. Why don't you help me? I'm sure that... ." "You know that I'm not a cruciverbalist. In fact, ... ." "You're not a what?" "A cruciverbalist. Someone who is skilled at doing crossword puzzles. You can... ." "Skilled, eh? Well, in that case, I'm not a cruciverbalist. You know that I'm not very good at solving crossword puzzles." "But you don't have to be. A cruciverbalist can also be someone who just enjoys doing crossword puzzles. He doesn't have to be good at it. You love torturing yourself, don't you?" "That I do. Crossword puzzles are a great deal of fun." "Well, help me with this one. This is the only clue that I haven't found an answer to. It's a six-letter word which means `understand'. Starts with the letter `c'." "It's probably capish. Spelt c..a..p..i..s..h. It's a word mostly used in informal contexts." "You're right! It is ca.., ca.. How do you pronounce the word?" "The `a' is like the `a' in `china'; the following `i' is like the `ee' in `fees', `bees', and `knees'. The final `sh' is like the `sh' in `ship', `sheet', and `sheep'. The main stress is on the second syllable. "What no wife of a writer can ever understand is that a writer is working when he's staring out of the window." Burton Rascoe

How is the word `emaciated' pronounced?

(J. Priyanka, Cochin) The `e' in the first syllable and the `i' in the third syllable are pronounced like the `i' in `sit', `bit', and `kit'. The `ma' sounds like the word `may'; the `c' that follows is like the `sh' in `ship', `shin', and `show'. The `ated' at the end rhymes with `hated', waited', and `fated'. The stress is on the second syllable `ma'. This is one way of pronouncing the word. Someone who is `emaciated' is very weak and thin. *The emaciated child was unable to walk for more than a minute.

What is the meaning of "run with the hare and hunt with the hounds"?
(N.Vijayaselvam, Srivilliputtur) Very often when two people have an argument, they go to a third person and ask him to be a judge. If the person is timid and is afraid to take a decision, he will end up saying that both parties are in the right. He will support both sides of the argument because he doesn't want to hurt the feelings of his friends; sometimes, he does this with an ulterior motive in mind. This desire to be on friendly terms with both warring factions by supporting their arguments is what we mean by the expression, "running with the hare and hunting with the hounds." The individual is trying to be both the rabbit (hare) and the dog (hound). He wants to be the hunted as well the hunter; and this is just not possible. This idiom is considered rather old fashioned. *Latha is a very clever person. She runs with the hare and hunts with the hounds.

Is there a difference in meaning between "amuse" and "bemuse"?

(Jayashree, Pune) Yes, there is a difference a big difference. The two words are not synonymous, as some people believe. When something "amuses" an individual, it makes him laugh or smile. He finds it funny or entertaining. *The principal found the comments made by the students very amusing. "Bemuse", unlike amuse, has nothing to do with making people laugh. When you are "bemused" by something, you are bewildered by it. It leaves you confused or puzzled. For example, *When the stranger walked into the classroom, the children looked at her with a bemused expression.

What is the meaning of "lost in the shuffle"?

(L. Keshav, Hyderabad) This is an expression that comes from the world of card games and is mostly used in American English. When you shuffle a pack of cards, you mix them up; you don't know where a particular card is. When a plan or an idea gets lost in the shuffle, it doesn't get the attention that it deserves. The expression can be used with reference to people as well. *In refugee camps, orphans often get lost in the shuffle and are left without food for days.

Which of the following is correct? "He is busy at weekends" or "He is busy on weekends"?
(R. Satish, Madurai) Both are acceptable. "At weekends" is commonly used in British English; the Americans, on the other hand, tend to use "on weekends." Use whichever expression you feel comfortable with. *I informed my new boss that I do not do any office related work at weekends. *My friends and I are planning to go sailing on the weekend. "Good resolutions are simply cheques that men draw on a bank where they have no account." Oscar Wilde
Nov 96

What is the meaning of `Eeyorish'?

(V. Anavaratham, Pudukottai) First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The `ee' is like the `ee' in `feel', `peel', and `heel'; the following `o' sounds like the `o' in `hot', `cot', and `dot'. Eeyore is the name of one of the characters in A. A. Milne's children's classic, `Winnie the Pooh'. Eeyore is a donkey; he is very pessimistic, and makes cynical comments about a lot of things. He is seldom happy. Therefore, when you say that someone is `Eeyorish', what you mean is that the person is gloomy or depressed. *What's wrong with Malini? Why is she so Eeyorish this morning?

What is the meaning and origin of `Garrison finish'?

(K. Prabhakar Rao, Tirupati) Early this year, our one-day team pulled off a couple of sensational victories. When we thought that the match had been lost, someone or the other did something incredible and helped the team win the match. This come-from-behind victory is called `Garrison finish'. *It was a Garrison finish. Our team scored three goals in the last two minutes. The expression comes from the world of horse racing. Edward H. Garrison, nicknamed `Snapper', was a famous American jockey who raced in the late 19th century. He was famous for his spectacular come-frombehind victories. Whenever he participated in a race, Garrison always began by staying at the back of the pack. He made his move (he speeded up his horse) only during the last stretch of the race. Since he always won his races by staying back till the last minute, a come-from-behind victory began to be called `Garrison finish'.

What is the difference between `break a sweat' and `break into a sweat'?

(S. Venunathan, Kozhikode) When you do something `without breaking a sweat', you do it without any difficulty. You find the task so easy that you don't have to exert yourself at all; you perform the task very easily or quickly. There is no need for you to sweat. *Rahul answered all the questions without breaking a sweat. Another expression that has more or less the same meaning is `no sweat'. *Listen, I'll carry the two large suitcases. No sweat at all. When you `break into a sweat', you actually start sweating. And when is it that we begin to sweat? When we exert ourselves or when we are extremely nervous or frightened about something. *The children broke into a sweat when they heard strange noises coming from the bedroom. *Uma broke into a sweat when she saw the policeman walking towards her.

What is the difference between `I read your article' and `I did read your article'?
(T. Vasanthi, Chidambaram) The first sentence is a statement. It could be the reply to the question, `Did you read my article?' The second sentence is what you would tell someone if they didn't believe that you had actually read the article. The `did' is used to add emphasis; you are saying that you have indeed read the article. You are not lying. "I love mankind; it's the people I can't stand." Charles Schulz

Know your English

"Did you take part in the 10 km run on Friday?" "I certainly did. You should have seen me. I had my game face on, and the... ." "You had your game face on? What are you talking about?" "When Dravid and Tendulkar bat, they look very serious most of the time. They don't joke around. This serious look that a sportsman has while he is on the field is referred to as his `game face'." "You mean the look of determination and concentration is called `game face'?" "I guess you could say that! Here's an example. Don't be fooled by his jokes. Once he's got his game face on and steps onto the field, Chethan is a completely different person." "You should see me when I have my game face on. I'm... ." "Can we talk about something else, please?"

"Sure! Let's talk about the marathon. Did you manage to run the distance easily?" "Not really! Had a tough time, but I managed." "It's quite an achievement, actually. I'm impressed. So, how did you celebrate your achievement?" "Celebrate! There was no celebration. I hotfooted it home. I felt so... ." "You hotfooted it home? Does it mean you went home immediately?" "When you hotfoot it to some place, you get there quickly. You do not delay." "I see. In other words, when you `hotfoot it', you run." "You run or walk quickly. Here's an example. When the car broke down, the CEO and his wife were forced to hotfoot it to the airport." "I got up late yesterday. So I had to hotfoot it to school." "Good example. The expression `hotfoot it' is mostly used in informal contexts." " Tell me, what did you do once you got back home?" "All I know is that I was dead to the world for the next fifteen hours or so." "Dead to the world? What do you mean? Do you mean you were unconscious or something?" "When you say that someone is dead to the world, what you mean is that the person is sound asleep, and you're finding it rather difficult to wake him up." "I see. How about this example? After doing all the karate exercises, Tapas was dead to the world." "Sounds good. Sujatha was dead to the world. We were just unable to wake her up." "How did Sujatha's mother react when she was unable to wake her up? She must have ... ." "Don't think she told Sujatha anything. In the evening, she came to our place and bellyached about how lazy her daughter had become." "She bellyached about how lazy her daughter had become! Does it mean she complained about how lazy her daughter had become?" "Very good. When you `bellyache', you complain in a whining manner." "In other words, you sound as if you are moaning." "Exactly! For example,,... ." "Wait! Let me try. Whenever I run into Pankaj, he bellyaches about all the work he has to do." "Good example. Do you know what you call a person who is constantly complaining?"

"A bellyacher? "Excellent! That's exactly what he is called. " "Some of your friends tell me that you bellyache about a lot of things." "Me, a bellyacher? Not a chance! How dare you... ." "Hey, easy does it. Let's not get into a fight. I'd better hotfoot it down to the supermarket before it closes." "Lawyers are like rhinoceroses: thick skinned, short sighted, and always ready to charge." David Mellor

What is the meaning and origin of `cakewalk'?

(R. Thirunarayanan, North Carolina) When you say that the victory was a `cakewalk', what you mean is that it was very easily achieved. You didn't have to put in too much of an effort; you won without really having to work hard. *Given your experience, getting the job should be a cakewalk *The first couple of rounds of the tournament should be a cakewalk. The `cakewalk' was a form of entertainment among African Americans. Well-dressed couples that took part in this competition were made to walk around a cake. The pair that performed this task most gracefully was awarded a prize. In most cases, the prize was the cake itself; the winner used to `take the cake'. Later, the word `cakewalk' was used to refer to a popular form of dance.

What is the difference between `magazine' and `journal'?

(Harish, Lucknow) When first used, the word `journal' referred to a daily publication which gave an account of the events that happened the previous day. It was like a newspaper. Nowadays, the word is used to refer to any publication that is brought out at regular intervals. For example, a journal can be a monthly, quarterly, etc. The articles contained in a journal are usually scholarly, serious in nature, and deal with a specialised area. For example, we have the Journal of Linguistics, Journal of Writing, etc. A `magazine', on the other hand, doesn't limit itself to one area; it deals with various subjects politics, entertainment and sports. Since the articles are meant for the general public, they are much shorter and are usually accompanied by photographs. `Outlook', `Frontline', and `Sportstar', are all magazines, not journals; and like the journal, they too are brought out at regular intervals.

How is the word `exorcism' pronounced?

(Amardeep Gupta, Jharkhand) The `ex' is pronounced like the letter `x', and the following `o' is like the `ou' in `ought', `sought' and `fought'. The final `ism' sounds like the `ism' in `prism'. The main stress is on the first syllable. When you `exorcise' a ghost or an evil spirit, what you do is to drive it away by making use of magic or prayers. This act of driving away an evil spirit is called `exorcism'.

*The witch doctor tried to exorcise the evil spirit from the library.

What is the meaning and origin of `on cloud nine'?

(Haresh Kumar, Mumbai) When you say that you are on cloud nine, what you mean is that you are extremely happy; you feel as if you are on top of the world. *The entire team was on cloud nine after winning the championship. No one is really sure where the expression comes from. Some believe that the original expression was `on cloud seven', very similar to the expression `seventh heaven'. Others believe that nine was chosen because it is considered a mystical number. According to weathermen, `cloud nine' refers to the `cumulonimbus' or the thunderstorm cloud. This cloud often rises to forty thousand feet; and when you are `on' such a cloud, you are literally on top of the world! "I'm not messy. I'm organizationally challenged!" Garfield

What is the meaning and origin of `ding-dong battle'?

(Fathima Nagira, Vishakapatnam) Remember the nursery rhyme we learnt in school? `Ding-dong bell, pussy's in the well.' Well the expression `ding-dong' refers to the sound that a bell makes; the back and forth motion of the knocker hitting a bell. When you say that two participants were involved in a ding-dong battle, what you mean is that they were involved in a long drawn out battle. The fight was intense and there were times when each participant seemed to have the upper hand in turns. In a ding-dong battle, it is often very difficult to predict who will emerge the winner; sometimes, the result is inconclusive. Another expression which has more or less the same meaning is `see-saw battle'. When you sit on the see-saw, you are up one moment, and down the other. *The fans were hoping for a ding-dong battle. They were disappointed when the Aussies thrashed the Indians.

Which is correct? `Deter to do' or `deter from doing' something?

(V. Prabhakar, Bangalore) First, let's deal with the pronunciation of `deter'. The first `e' is like the `i' in `bid', `bit' and `sit', and the second is like the `ir' in `shirt', `bird' and `dirt'. The stress is on the second syllable `ter'. The word `deter' is usually followed by `from' and not `to'. When you deter someone from doing something, you discourage him from doing it. You achieve this by making the individual realise how difficult the task may be, or by highlighting the unpleasant consequences of performing the task. You do everything to ensure that the person no longer wishes to continue to do what he was doing. *Nothing you say will deter the students from joining the protestors.

Is it okay to say, `Some of the animals have become extinguished'?

(Naresh Kumar, Pune)

The word that you probably have in mind is `extinct', not `extinguished'. When something becomes extinct, it ceases to exist; you don't find it anywhere on the planet. Any living organism can become extinct. Dinosaurs, for example, have become extinct. *There are reasons to believe that the tiger will soon become extinct. *Some of the animals in the rainforests are on the verge of extinction. The word `extinguish', on the other hand, is usually used along with the word `fire'. When you extinguish a fire or a flame, you put it out. *The firemen battled for three hours before they extinguished the fire.

What is the meaning of `eater's coma'?

(R. Anuradha, Coimbatore) This is a type of coma that we have all experienced some time or the other. How do we normally feel after a particularly heavy meal? Most of the time, we feel pretty sluggish; we don't feel like doing anything. After some time, we begin to feel rather sleepy. This lazy and sleepy feeling that we have after a heavy meal is called `eater's coma'. *If I eat everything that is on the table, I'll lapse into an eater's coma.

Correction
The `c' in `sotto voce' is pronounced like the `ch' in `child' and `chips', and not like the `sh' in `ship' and `sheep' as indicated in last week's column. "Try not to have a good time....this is supposed to be educational."

December 2006

What is the meaning and origin of `beck and call'?

(C. Dhandayuthapani, Chennai) When you are at someone's `beck and call', you do whatever he wants you to. In order to please the individual, you remain slavishly attentive to all his needs; the person's wish is your command.The young prince was at his wife's beck and call. There are a few reporters we know who are at the minister's beck and call. The word `beck' is actually the shortened form of `beckon'. A `beck' is usually a silent signal that you give someone in order to draw his attention. The signal could be a simple nod of the head or the motioning of one's finger. Who are the people who pay a great deal of attention to an individual's head and hand movement? Servants, of course! In the old days, servants were at their master's beck and call. A master

could get a servant to do his bidding in two different ways he could either `call' the servant or `beckon' him.

Which is correct? `Sunita has gone off Rajender' or `Sunita has gone off with Rajender'?
(C. Mala, Mumbai) In terms of grammar, there is nothing wrong with the two sentences; their meanings, however, are very different. The first sentence means that Sunita no longer likes Rajender. When you `go off someone', you stop liking him/her. It is also possible to `go off something' as well. The expression `go off someone/something' is mostly used in British English in informal contexts. *Ganesh started to go off the idea of building a new house. The second sentence, `Sunita has gone off with Rajender', suggests that Sunita has accompanied Rajender to some place. When you `go off with someone', you run away with the person leaving your family behind. *The rumour is that Sridhar has gone off with Geetha.

What is the meaning of `Orkut'?

(Harneet Singh, New Delhi) I don't know what the word means. All I know is that Orkut is the online community provided by Google which enables people not only to keep in touch with their old friends but also make new ones. The network is named after its Turkish creator, a Google software engineer, Orkut Buyukkoten.

Does the word `cybrarian' exist?

(S. Sanjana, Trichy) Yes, the word `cybrarian' does exist; it's been around for more than a decade. The word is a combination of `cyber' and `librarian'. A `cybrarian' is someone who makes use of the Internet as a resource tool. His job is to be in the know as to what is available on the web; he finds, collects, and manages whatever material is available on the Net. *Yukti constantly surfs the Net because it's part of her job. She's the new cybrarian.

Know Your English

"Who was that on the phone?" "It was Sujatha's cousin Rajesh. He said he'd call you back in 15 minutes." "It must be about his CV. I promised to look at it before he sent it off to... " "You know, he sounds a lot like a girl. In fact, I thought... " "Yes, he is rather effeminate."

"Effeminate? Does it mean a man who sounds like a girl?" "When you refer to a man as being effeminate, what you mean is that he is unmanly." "In other words, an effeminate person behaves, looks, and sounds like a woman rather than a man." "That's right! The word is normally used with men. It is used to show disapproval. Here's an example. The students made fun of the principal's effeminate walk." "Tarun's effeminate manner raised eyebrows among the members of the club." "That's a good example. Now then, shall we... " "Let's not worry about who is effeminate and who is not. Did you manage to see the film yesterday?" "Unfortunately, I did. It helped me to... " "What do you mean `unfortunately'? It was a great movie. Everyone is raving... " "What did you say? Could you please run that by me again?" "Run that by you again? What are you talking about?" "When you tell someone to run something by you again, you want him to repeat what he said." "I see. So if I'm in a noisy room and I don't hear what someone has said, can I say, `Could you run that by me again'?" "You certainly can. It is also possible to say `run that by me one more time'. What did you have to say about the movie? Could you run that by me one more time?" "I said it was a great movie. All my friends loved it." "It was a sleepfest. I didn't... " "A sleepfest? What does it mean? I don't think I've heard the expression before." "When you say that something was a sleepfest, what you mean is that it put you to sleep." "In other words, it was so boring that you fell asleep for a long time." "Exactly! Here's an example. The students said that Indra's lecture on Shakespeare was a real sleepfest." "What did Rajesh think of the movie? Did he like it?" "He didn't even bother to come. Said that he'd rather stay at home and read." "Read? Not many people do that nowadays." "I know. Anyway, don't utter the word `read' in Rajesh's presence. You'll get him on his favourite hobbyhorse. You'll never... "

"Hobby-horse? What does it mean?" "A hobby-horse is a subject or an idea that you have very strong feelings about. You love talking about it at great length whenever you get an opportunity to." "How about this example? Corruption is a favourite hobby-horse of my father's." "That's a good example. Here's another one. Deepak is usually a great person to be with. But once he gets on his hobby-horse, he can be downright boring." "That's true. I hate it when he talks about... " "Could you get the phone, please?" "You answer it. It must be Rajesh." "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity." Albert Einstein

Is there such a word as `auto dentist'?

(K. Lavanya, Pondicherry) Yes, the word does exist; it has been around for a few years now. You may be surprised to know that the word `dentist' in this case does not refer to the doctor who looks after people's teeth! As you walk along the road and look at the various parked cars, scooters and motorcycles, what is it that strikes you? What is it that the vehicles have in common? Most of them have `dents'; there are very few cars in India that do not have dents. An `auto dentist' is someone who repairs the dents and other minor damages in cars. Auto means `car' and `dentist' means `one who repairs dents'.

How is the word `honcho' pronounced, and what does it mean?

(J. Reddy, Chennai) The first `o' is pronounced like the `o' in `hot', `pot', and `dot'; the second sounds like the `o' in `so', `go', and `no'. The `ch' is like the `ch' in `chips', `cheap', and `chew'. The main stress is on the first syllable `hon'. The word is considered slang, and is mostly used in American English in informal contexts. It can be used both as a noun and a verb. Anyone who is the boss or the leader can be referred to as a `honcho'. The word is of Japanese origin and can be used with both men and women. Meera, the top honcho in the accounts department, listened patiently to our problem. When used as a verb, `honcho' means to manage or direct something. Did Revathi tell you who is likely to honcho the project? Amrit is honchoing preparations for the forthcoming seminar.

What is the meaning of `pull the rug from under someone's feet'?
(K. M. Karthik, Vizag)

If someone were to pull the rug on which you are standing, what do you think is likely to happen? You will probably fall and hurt yourself, and in the process create problems for yourself. When someone pulls the rug from under your feet, what he is doing is taking away the support or help that you have been receiving. By taking away your support rather unexpectedly, he creates all kinds of problems for you. Prabhu pulled the rug from under his children's feet by denying them their allowance. The company was losing money. It decided to pull the rug from under the ill-fated project.

Is it okay to say, "It took Mohan six months to recover from his fatal accident"?
(B. Akshay, Pune) No, it isn't. The word `fatal' usually has a negative connotation. An accident or an illness that is described as `fatal', usually results in the death of an individual. As you probably know, it is difficult for a person to recover from death! The ailing chief minister suffered a fatal heart attack around midnight. Several policemen were fatally wounded during the encounter with the militants. The word `fatal' can also be used to mean `undesirable' or `causing disaster'. The captain made the fatal mistake of asking Agarkar to bowl the final over. Sahu's injury proved fatal to our plans of winning the trophy. "Women are like cell phones. They like to be held and talked to, but push the wrong button, and you'll be disconnected." Unknown

Know Your English

"Come on in! Would you like some sweets?" "Sweets? What's the occasion? Did you get a promotion?" "No, the sweets are from my Bengali neighbour. He threw a party because Ganguly is back in the team." "Lots of people are talking about Dada. Weren't you surprised that he was selected?" "Not at all. Haven't you been listening to the so-called experts? He's been touted as the ideal partner for Sachin. Of course, not everyone." "Touted? What does it mean?" "When you tout someone as something, you deliberately praise the individual in order to convince people that he is important or good. For example, Sekhar is being touted as the next boxing champion."

"The word `tout' can also mean to sell something. For example, now that Ganguly is back in the team, many multinationals will use him to tout their products." " Let's talk about something a little more interesting. Like your recent trip, for example. Did you manage to see all the monuments you'd planned to?" "Yes, I did see most of them. But I was rather disappointed. You see... " "Were they not as beautiful as you had expected them to be?" "Unfortunately, many of them were in a state of disrepair." "State of disrepair? What does it mean?" "When you say that something is in a `state of disrepair', what you mean is that it's in very bad condition. It's in a state of neglect. Repairs need to be carried out." "I see. We haven't had anybody living in the old house opposite ours for quite some time. It's in a state of disrepair." "Good example. It's also possible to say, `fall into disrepair'. The old library building fell into disrepair after it was closed." " By the way, does one `sit in a chair' or `sit on a chair'?" "It depends on the type of chair, I guess! Why do you want to know?" "Because I've had another one of my silly bets with Sujatha. I told her that it's always `in'." "As I said, you can either sit in a chair or on it. I read somewhere that you normally `sit in' a chair that has arms." "And `sit on' is used with chairs which don't have arms! Is that what you're saying?" "That's what I've heard. Did you manage to see the new.." "Talking about managing, how is your new accountant?" "He seems to be doing a good job. My boss just loves him. He says that the man has the ability to think on his feet." "He can't think when he's sitting down, eh?" "Please, don't try to be funny. You know you were never good at it. When you say that someone can think on his feet, what ..." "I know what the expression means. When someone thinks on his feet, he reacts very quickly to a situation. You mean that he is mentally alert." "Especially in a situation when things are happening very quickly."

"The reason why Priya is being sent to represent the company is because my boss feels she has the ability to think on her feet." "That's a good example. Ganpat prides himself on his ability to think on his feet." "Well, tell him to take some pride in his house as well. It's in a state of disrepair." "Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut." Paul Miller