- HAPPY NEW Year!
- HOW IS the word ``blasi'' pronounced?
- Why is a person who helps deliver a child called a ``midwife''?
- What is the meaning and origin of the expression ``show a leg''?
- What is the difference between ``emigrate'' and ``immigrate''?
- HERE COMES the future chemist. How was the test? How did you do?
- HI, SORRY I'm late.
Know Your English - January 2001
Know Your English - January 2011
- Know Your English
- What is the difference between ‘con someone into something'
- and ‘con someone out of something'?
- What is the meaning and origin of ‘sail under false colours'?
- How is the word ‘conglomerate' pronounced?
- Is it okay to say, ‘The film has its moments'?
- What is the difference between ‘comptroller' and ‘controller'?
- What is the meaning and origin of ‘neck and crop'?
- How is the word ‘raucous' pronounced?
- Which is correct: ‘Let's go to the movie' or ‘Let's go to the movies'?
- What is the meaning of ‘Kilkenny cats'?
- How is the word ‘dossier' pronounced?
- What is the difference between ‘bravado' and 'bravery'?
- What is the meaning of ‘spinning one's wheels'?
Know Your English - December 2010
- KNOW YOUR ENGLISH
- What is the meaning and origin of the expression ‘play possum?
- How is the expression ‘higgledy piggledy' pronounced?
- Is there a difference in meaning between ‘I haven't had problems with the students so far' and ‘till now'?
- What is the meaning of ‘Cassandra'?
- How is the word ‘apartheid' pronounced?
- What is the difference between ‘departed' and ‘dead'?
- What is the meaning of ‘cousin twice removed'?
- What is the meaning and origin of ‘give someone the bird'?
- What is the meaning of ‘open a can of worms'?
- How is the word ‘eulogy' pronounced?
- What is the origin of the word ‘indigo'?
- What is the meaning of ‘gone for a toss'?
- What is the difference between ‘tread on' and ‘tread upon'?
Know Your English - November 2010
- Know Your English
- What is the meaning of ‘cyber hoarding'?
- What is the difference between ‘gulp back' and ‘gulp down'?
- What is the meaning of ‘clarion call'?
- Is it okay to say ‘on the anvil'?
- What is the meaning of ‘my way or the highway'?
- Why does ‘put up your dukes' mean ‘put up your fists'?
- What is the meaning of ‘diva'?
- What is the difference between ‘headmaster' and ‘principal'?
- How is the word ‘circa' pronounced?
Know Your English - October 2010
- Know your English
- How is `bˆte noire' pronounced?
- What is the meaning and origin of `brevity is the soul of wit'?
- What is the meaning of `cataclysm'?
- What is the meaning of `shadowboxing'?
- Is there a difference between `proper question' and `question proper'?
- What is the meaning and origin of ‘pull up your socks'?
- Can the word ‘invite' be used as a noun?
- How is the word ‘righteous' pronounced?
- Does the expression ‘black lie' exist?
- What is the difference between ‘lectern' and ‘podium'?
- What is the meaning of ‘megaphone diplomacy'?
- How is the word ‘paraprosdokian' pronounced?
- What is the meaning and origin of ‘to the bitter end'?
Know Your English - September 2010
September 2010
• What is the difference between 'scoot down' and 'scoot over'?
• How is the word 'lacunae' pronounced?
• Is it okay to say, 'The lawyers demanded the judge to take action against the police'?
• How is the word 'repertoire' pronounced?
• What is the origin of 'whistleblower'?
• Is it true that the word 'curds' doesn't exist in native varieties of English?
• What is the difference between 'give up' and 'give in'?
• What is the meaning of 'be on the horns of a dilemma'?
• What is the difference between 'worrisome' and 'worrying'?
• How is the word 'realtor' pronounced?
• What is the meaning of 'cul-de-sac'?
• Is it okay to say, 'I teach 18 hours in a week'?
• Know Your English
Know Your English - August 2010
August 2010
• How is the word 'acquiesce' pronounced?
• What is the meaning of the word 'gelotology'?
• What is the difference between 'fable' and 'parable'?
• How is the word 'entourage' pronounced?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'lived up to its billing'?
• What is the meaning of 'vegan'?
• Is it okay to say, 'He's been working in this office from March 2008'?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'plumb the depths'?
• How is the word 'fiancée' pronounced?
• What is the meaning of 'shenanigans'?
• What is the difference between 'familiar with' and 'familiar to'?
• Know Your English
Know Your English - July 2010
July 2010
• How is the word 'hubris' pronounced?
• What is the meaning of 'pelf'?
• What is the difference between 'interpreter' and 'translator'?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'the bum's rush'?
• What is the difference between 'stagger' and 'totter'?
• How is the word 'suave' pronounced?
• What is the difference between 'up to' and 'until'?
• How is the word 'baton' pronounced?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'keep tabs on someone'?
• What is the meaning of 'dead letter'?
• What is the difference between 'disguise' and 'guise'?
• Know your english
Know Your English - June 2010
June 2010
• What is the difference between 'demise' and 'death'?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'windfall'?
• Is it okay to say, 'bouquet of flowers'?
• What is the meaning and origin of `turncoat'?
• What is the difference between `nervous' and `edgy'?
• Is it okay to say, `She was terminated by her publisher'?
• How is the word `auteur' pronounced?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'wing it'?
• What is the difference between 'momentary' and 'momentous'?
• How is the word 'quixotic' pronounced?
• Is it okay to say, 'His condition got deteriorated on Saturday'?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'clean bill of health'?
• Who or what is a 'fax potato'?
• Why is the abbreviated form of 'will not' 'won't' and not 'willn't'?
• Is it okay to say, 'I described him what I had seen'?
• Do you 'part from' or 'part with' someone?
• How is the word 'trenchant' pronounced?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'lick and a promise'?
• What is the meaning of 'annus horribilus'?
• What is the difference between 'fragile' and 'frail'?
Know Your English - May 2010
May 2010
• How is the word 'thanatology' pronounced?
• What is the meaning of 'shank's pony'?
• What is the difference between 'stumble over' and 'stumble on'?
• KNOW Y0UR ENGLISH
• What is the meaning of 'the be-all and end-all'?
• Which is correct: whereabouts are/is?
• How is the word 'beleaguered' pronounced?
• What is the difference between 'utensil' and 'vessel'?
• What is the plural of 'stadium'
• Does the name 'Ferrari' mean anything?
• Know Your English
Know Your English - April 2010
April 2010
• What is the meaning of 'drop the ball'?
• At the bottom of a wedding invitation, is it okay to say, 'avoid presentations'?
• What is the meaning of the expression 'soap grafting'?
• Is it okay to say 'temporary respite'?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'wither on the vine'?
• What is the difference between 'memento' and 'souvenir'?
• Is it okay to say, 'According to our correspondent, three students died in the altercation'?
• Is it okay to say 'Mr & Mrs. X invite you to the marriage of our son'?
• How is the word 'eon' pronounced?
• Why do we say 'o'clock'? What does 'o' stand for?
• What is the meaning of 'perspicuous'?
• What is the meaning of the expression 'two to tango'?
• What is the difference between 'alongwith' and 'along with'?
• KNOW YOUR ENGLISH
Know Your English - March 2010
March 2010
• What is the meaning of 'rambunctious'?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'lotus eater'?
• Is it okay to say, 'He's a no-nonsense person'?
• What is the difference between a 'prolonged meeting' and a 'protracted' one?
• How is the word 'somnambulism' pronounced?
• Which is correct: Revathi is engaged to/with Ravi?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'to go haywire'?
• Is it okay to say, 'The student was impersonating as a police officer'?
• What is the origin of the word 'budget'?
• What is the meaning of the expression 'scrimp and save'?
• How is the word 'iconoclast' pronounced?
• What is the meaning of 'shoulder surfing'?
• How is the word 'ersatz' pronounced?
• What is the meaning and origin of 'stalking horse'?
• What is the difference between 'former' and 'erstwhile'?
• Know Your English
Know Your English - February 2010
February 2010
• What is the meaning of 'bucket list'?
• How is the word 'vitiate' pronounced?
• What is the meaning of 'splitsville'?
• How is the word `malign' pronounced?
• What is the meaning of `double entendre'?
• Which is correct: He is taller than me or I?
• What is the difference between `lonesome' and `lonely'?
• What is the meaning of `many a mickle makes a muckle'?
• How is the word 'litterateur' pronounced?
• Can the expression 'double whammy' be used with good things?
• There are people who keep doing one course after another, and they never take up a job. Is there a term for such people?
• What is the difference between 'co brother' and 'brother in law'?
• Know your english
Know Your English - January 2010
January 2010
• How is the word `sycophancy' pronounced?
• What is the meaning and origin of `set the ball rolling'?
• What is the difference between `revue' and `review'?
• What is the difference between ‘eminent’ and ‘famous’?
• How is ‘amour-propre’ pronounced?
• What it the meaning of ‘cut loose’?
• What is the meaning of ‘kitchen cabinet’?
• KNOW YOUR ENGLISH
Know Your English - November 2009
November 2009
• Can the word `guys' be used to refer to a group of girls? (20091124)
• What is the meaning of `derring-do'? (20091124)
• How is the word `dereliction' pronounced? (20091124)
• What is the meaning of ‘close on the heels of something’? (20091117)
• What is the difference between ‘railroad someone into something’ and ‘railroad something through’? (20091117)
• Is it okay to say, ‘My friend wants to retire and live in a farm’? (20091117)
• How is the word ‘subterfuge’ pronounced? (20091117)
• Is it okay to say ‘prepare the vegetables’? (20091117)
• How is the word `masquerade' pronounced? (20091110)
• What is the meaning of `mollycoddle'? (20091110)
• Does the word `daymare' exist? (20091110)
• What is the difference between a `soliloquy' and a `monologue'? (20091110)
Know Your English - October 2009
October 2009
• What is the meaning and origin of the expression `hair of the dog that bit someone'? (20091027)
• How is the word `paedophile' pronounced? (20091027)
• Is it okay to say `House: To Let'? (20091027)
• What is the difference between `despite of' and `in spite of'? (20091027)
• How is the word ‘ensconce’ pronounced? (20091013)
• Many supermarkets have an express counter with a sign which says, ‘Ten items or less’. Is it okay to use ‘less’ in this context? (20091013)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘plume yourself on something’? (20091013)
• What is the difference between ‘believe in’ and ‘believe’? (20091013)
• What is the meaning of ‘dog-eared’? (20091013)
• Shut-eye? What's that? (20091006)
Know Your English - September 2009
September 2009
• How is the word `fecund' pronounced? (20090915)
• What is the meaning and origin of `sweat like a pig'? (20090915)
• What is the difference between `a loving child' and `a lovely child'? (20090915)
• Which is correct: Monday through Friday or Monday to Friday? (20090915)
• What is the meaning of `dragon lady'? (20090908)
• What is the meaning and origin of `the ghost walks'? (20090908)
• Is it okay to say `revert back'? (20090908)
• What's the difference between `all in all' and `all and all'? (20090908)
• What is the meaning of the word ‘abnegate’? (20090901)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘even Homer sometimes nods’? (20090901)
• What is the meaning of ‘thick and fast’? (20090901)
• How is the word ‘conscientiously’ pronounced? (20090901)
Know Your English - August 2009
August 2009
• What is the meaning of ‘He works like a Trojan’? (20090825)
• What is the difference between ‘a home away from home’ and ‘a home from home’? (20090825)
• How is the word ‘officious’ pronounced? What does it mean? (20090825)
• What is the meaning of ‘everything but the kitchen sink’? (20090825)
• What is the difference between ‘misdemeanour’ and ‘misbehaviour’? (20090818)
• What is the meaning of ‘all hell broke loose’? (20090818)
• Is there a word to describe a driver who slows down in order to have a good look at the accident that has happened? (20090818)
• How is the word ‘burlesque’ pronounced? (20090818)
• What is the meaning and origin of the expression ‘tally ho’? (20090818)
• What is the meaning and origin of `rain check'? (20090811)
• Trees and hedges are sometimes cut in the shape of animals. Is there a word for this? (20090811)
• What is the meaning of the expression `ad nauseam'? (20090811)
• What is the meaning of `get to the bottom of something'? (20090811)
• What is the difference between `avoiding taxes' and `evading taxes'? (20090811)
• How is the word `besiege' pronounced? (20090804)
• Is it okay to say, `He was sworn in President'? (20090804)
• What is the meaning and origin of `fly off the handle'? (20090804)
• What is the meaning of `neophyte'? (20090804)
Know Your English - July 2009
July 2009
• What is the meaning of `grossed out'? (20090728)
• Does the expression `hand-me-up' exist? (20090728)
• What is the difference between `man of promise' and `man of promises'? (20090728)
• What is the difference between `take part' and `partake'? (20090721)
• What is the meaning of `as good as it gets'? (20090721)
• How is the expression `nolens volens' pronounced? (20090721)
• Which is correct: `close proximity' or `closed proximity'? (20090721)
• What is the meaning of `noisome'? (20090721)
• What is the difference between `histrionics' and `hysterics'? (20090714)
• What is the meaning of `walking a thin line'? (20090714)
• How is the word `pulchritude' pronounced? (20090714)
• Is the word `police' followed by a singular or a plural verb? (20090714)
• Is it okay to say, `The father was extremely jealous about his daughter's popularity'? (20090714)
• What is the meaning and origin of `saved by the bell'? (20090707)
• How is the word `debacle' pronounced? (20090707)
• What is the difference between `arrested' and `detained'? (20090707)
• What is the meaning of `chairdrobe'? (20090707)
Know Your English - June 2009
June 2009
• How is the word `shibboleth' pronounced? (20090630)
• Is it okay to begin a letter with `hi' when you are writing to someone you don't know? (20090630)
• Does the word `missent' exist? (20090630)
• How do you answer the question, `What time of day do you like to go swimming?' (20090623)
• What is the meaning of `designated texter'? (20090623)
• How is the word `spaghetti' pronounced? (20090623)
• What is the meaning of `add insult to injury'? (20090623)
• What is the meaning of `duh'? (20090623)
• What is the meaning of ‘pencil in’? (20090616)
• How is the word ‘gaseous’ pronounced? (20090616)
• What do you call someone who goes to someone’s party without being invited? (20090616)
• What is the difference between ‘call for’ and ‘call upon’? (20090616)
• Is it okay to say ‘complete novice’? (20090616)
• What is the meaning of the expression ‘elephant in the room’? (20090616)
• Know Your English (20090609)
• How is the word ‘paean’ pronounced? (20090602)
• What is the difference between ‘apoplexy’ and ‘apocalypse’? (20090602)
• What is the meaning of ‘straw in the wind’? (20090602)
• What is the meaning of ‘medical tourism’? (20090602)
Know Your English - May 2009
May 2009
• Which is correct: None of you have/has answered the question correctly. (20090526)
• What is the meaning of the expression `beyond his ken'? (20090526)
• How do you refer to someone who in his 60s? (20090526)
• Is it okay to say, `He doesn't want to go to anywhere'? (20090526)
• What is the meaning of `greased lightning'? (20090526)
• Know Your English (20090519)
• How is the word `bonhomie' pronounced? (20090505)
• Is it okay to say, `Rahul Gandhi denied to speak to the waiting media persons'? (20090505)
• What is the difference between `complacent' and `complaisant'? (20090505)
• Does the word `yellular' exist? (20090505)
Know Your English - April 2009
April 2009
• What is the meaning and origin of `get the pink slip'? (20090414)
• How is the word `litterateur' pronounced? (20090414)
• What is the difference between `callous' and `callus'? (20090414)
• How is the word ‘statute’ pronounced? (20090407)
• What is the meaning of ‘pet peeve’? (20090407)
• Is it okay to say ‘disabuse something’? (20090407)
• What is the meaning of ‘profundity’? (20090407)
• What is the difference between ‘harbour someone’ and ‘house someone’? (20090407)
• Is it okay to say, ‘He returned back home’? (20090407)
Know Your English - March 2009
March 2009
• How is the word `zeitgeist' pronounced? (20090317)
• What is the meaning of `cast-iron guarantee'? (20090317)
• Is it okay to say, `He's been depromoted'? (20090317)
• What is the meaning of `it's your funeral'? (20090317)
• What is the past tense of `slay'? (20090317)
Know Your English - February 2009
February 2009
• What is the meaning of ‘handsome is as handsome does’? (20090224)
• How is the word ‘askance’ pronounced? (20090224)
• What is the difference between ‘crisis’ and ‘crises’? (20090224)
• What is the opposite of ‘comedian’? (20090224)
• How is the word ‘guerdon’ pronounced? (20090217)
• What is the difference between ‘infiltrator’ and ‘intruder’? (20090217)
• What is the meaning of ‘play to the gallery’? (20090217)
• How is the word ‘adieu’ pronounced? (20090217)
• What is the difference between ‘annex’ and ‘annexe’? (20090203)
• How is the word ‘burgeon’ pronounced? (20090203)
• What is the meaning of the expression ‘the end justifies the means’? (20090203)
• Is it okay to say ‘I met her yesterday night’? (20090203)
• What does ‘reckon’ mean? (20090203)
Know Your English - January 2009
January 2009
• What is the meaning of ‘webinar’? (20090127)
• How is the word ‘oust’ pronounced? (20090127)
• What is the difference between ‘breeze away’ and ‘breeze through’? (20090127)
• Is it okay to say ‘His resignation has been be sanctioned’? (20090127)
• When you are writing a cheque, which of the following is correct ‘Two hundred and fifty five’ or ‘Two hundred fifty five?’ (20090127)
• When do we say `Yours faithfully' and `Yours sincerely' in a letter? (20090120)
• How is the word `rotund' pronounced? (20090120)
• Is it okay to say, `happen upon someone'? (20090120)
• What's the difference between `gawk at' and `gaze at'? (20090120)
• What is the meaning of the expression `catch a few rays'? (20090120)
• What is the meaning and origin of `whale of a time'? (20090113)
• How is `nouveau riche' pronounced? (20090113)
• When `leave' is used to mean vacation, is it okay to say `number of leave/leaves taken'? (20090113)
• Why is money referred to as `bucks'? (20090113)
• How is the word `manoeuvre' pronounced? (20090106)
• What is the meaning of `demarche'? (20090106)
• What is the difference between `talk to' and `talk with'? (20090106)
• What is the meaning and origin of `baker's dozen'? (20090106)
Know Your English - December 2008
December 2008
• How is the word ‘vouchsafe’ pronounced? (20081230)
• What is the meaning of ‘Hippopotomonstro- sesquippedaliophobia’? (20081230)
• Which is correct: sons in law or son in laws? (20081230)
• What is the difference between ‘portent’ and ‘portend’? (20081223)
• What is the meaning of ‘tchotchke’? How is it pronounced? (20081223)
• What is the meaning and origin of the idiom ‘take something with a grain of salt’? (20081223)
• What is the meaning of ‘academic bulimia’? (20081216)
• How is the word ‘potpourri’ pronounced? (20081216)
• What is the difference between ‘prescribe’ and ’proscribe’? (20081216)
• What is the meaning of ‘be up with the larks’? (20081216)
• What is the meaning and origin of `pull out all the stops'? (20081209)
• How is the word `angst' pronounced? (20081209)
• Which is correct: `grumble about' or `grumble at'? (20081209)
• Is it ok to say, `I was confident on hitting the shot'? (20081209)
• What is the meaning of `tease' in `tease something out of someone'? (20081209)
• What is the meaning and origin of the idiom ‘roll out the red carpet’? (20081202)
• How is the word ‘caveat’ pronounced? (20081202)
• What is the opposite of ‘uxoricide’? (20081202)
• Which is correct: ‘different from’ or ‘different than’? (20081202)
• How is the word ‘sepulchre’ pronounced? (20081202)
Know Your English - November 2008
November 2008
• What is the meaning of ‘pigeonhole someone’? (20081125)
• Is it okay to say that something was ‘frightfully good’? (20081125)
• What is the difference between ‘license’ and ‘licence’? (20081125)
• How is the word ‘scintillating’ pronounced? (20081118)
• What is the difference between ‘autopsy’ and ‘post mortem’? (20081118)
• What is the meaning of the expression ‘grow on someone’? (20081118)
• What is the meaning of ‘putsch’? (20081111)
• How is the word ‘bourgeois’ pronounced? (20081111)
• What is the meaning of the expression ‘in the thick of things’? (20081111)
• What is the difference in meaning between ‘continually’ and ‘continuously’? (20081111)
• What is the difference between ‘however’ and ‘how ever’? (20081111)
• How is the word `malaise' pronounced? (20081104)
• What is the difference between `prevaricate' and `procrastinate'? (20081104)
• Which is correct: `Half of my friends are in America' or `Half my friends are in America'? (20081104)
• What is the meaning of `blow away the cobwebs'? (20081104)
Know Your English - October 2008
October 2008
• How is the word ‘bade’ pronounced? (20081021)
• Is it okay to say, ‘He was appointed as Principal’? (20081021)
• What is the difference between ‘allude’ and ‘elude’? (20081021)
• What is the difference in meaning between ‘I married her’ and ‘I was married to her’? (20081021)
• Know Your English (20081014)
• What is the meaning and origin of `beat around the bush'? (20081007)
• I have heard people say, `I usually visit my friends at weekends'. Shouldn't it be `on weekends'? (20081007)
• What is the difference between `bail' and `parole'? (20081007)
Know Your English - September 2008
September 2008
• What is the meaning of ‘thumb lashing’? (20080930)
• What is the difference between ‘peruse’ and ‘browse’? (20080930)
• What is the meaning and origin of `eyewash'? (20080923)
• What is the meaning of `rap on the knuckles'? (20080923)
• Is it okay to say, `He turns to 60 years next week'? (20080923)
• What is the difference between `reputed' and `reputable'? (20080923)
• What does `sotto voce' mean? (20080923)
• What is the meaning of ‘PowerPoint singalong’? (20080916)
• How is the word ‘flummox’ pronounced? (20080916)
• What is the meaning of ‘risqué’? How is the word pronounced? (20080916)
• What is the meaning of ‘percolate’? (20080916)
• What is a female mouse called? (20080909)
• Why is the word ‘I’ always capitalised? (20080909)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘chink in the armour’? (20080909)
• What is the meaning of ‘statuesque’? (20080909)
• In 8 A.M, what does ‘A.M’ stand for? (20080909)
• Know your English (20080902)
Know Your English - August 2008
August 2008
• How is the word ‘sleuth’ pronounced? Why are detectives called ‘sleuths’? (20080826)
• What is the meaning of ‘tryst’? (20080826)
• Is it OK to say, ‘The school has received a great deal of complaints’? (20080826)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘let your hair down’? (20080826)
• What is the meaning of ‘Adidas’? Where does the word come from? (20080819)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘hitting below the belt’? (20080819)
• What is the difference between ‘deadly’ and ‘deathly’? (20080819)
• What is the meaning of ‘invidious’? (20080819)
• Know Your English (20080812)
• Know your English (20080805)
Know Your English - July 2008
July 2008
• How is the expression ‘Mot juste’ pronounced? (20080729)
• What is the difference between ‘lease’ and ‘rent’? (20080729)
• What is the meaning and origin of the expression ‘bolt’ from the blue’? (20080729)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘riding roughshod over someone’? (20080722)
• What is the meaning of ‘fashionably late’? (20080722)
• Is it OK to say, ‘She pleaded with her daughter to never go there’? (20080722)
• What is the meaning of ‘qualm’? (20080722)
• What is the difference between ‘squash’ and ‘quash’? (20080722)
• Know your English (20080715)
• What is the meaning of ‘laissez-faire attitude’? (20080708)
• Does the word ‘staycation’ exist? (20080708)
• What is the meaning and origin of the expression ‘toe the line’? (20080708)
• Is it okay to introduce oneself in the following manner? ‘My name is Prof. X’. (20080708)
• What is the meaning of the word ‘presently’? (20080708)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘pull the wool over someone’s eyes’? (20080701)
• How is the word ‘chutzpah’ pronounced? (20080701)
• What is the origin of the word ‘soccer’? (20080701)
• What is the meaning of ‘eponymous’? (20080701)
Know Your English - June 2008
June 2008
• What is the plural of ‘aircraft’? (20080624)
• What’s the difference between ‘nonetheless’ and ‘nevertheless’? (20080624)
• What is the meaning of ‘back answer’? (20080624)
• How is the word ‘severed’ pronounced? (20080624)
• Some people are scared of the number 13. Is there a word for it? (20080624)
• Know your English (20080617)
• What is the difference between ‘damage’ and ‘damages’? (20080610)
• How is the word ‘tawdry’ pronounced? (20080610)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘lock horns with’? (20080610)
• Is it OK to say, ‘Hardly had we entered the room, than the .....’? (20080610)
• How is the word ‘vignette’ pronounced? (20080603)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘sledging’? (20080603)
• What is the meaning of ‘touché’? (20080603)
• Is it okay to say, ‘He should avail of this opportunity to learn English’? (20080603)
Know Your English - May 2008
May 2008
• How is the word ‘schedule’ pronounced? (20080520)
• What is the meaning of ‘po-faced’? (20080520)
• What is the meaning of ‘epithet’? (20080520)
• Does the word ‘ta-ta’ actually exist? (20080520)
• When do you say ‘good evening’ and ‘good night’? (20080520)
• What is the difference between ‘lightning’ and ‘lightening’? (20080520)
• How is the word ‘alibi’ pronounced? (20080513)
• What is the meaning of ‘rattle someone’s cage’? (20080513)
• Which is correct? ‘Make’ or ‘take’ a decision? (20080513)
• What is the difference between ‘fatal’ and ‘fateful’? (20080513)
• Know your English (20080506)
Know Your English - April 2008
April 2008
• What is the meaning of ‘take up the cudgels for someone’? (20080422)
• Does the word ‘nomophobia’ exist? What does it mean? (20080422)
• Is it OK to say, ‘The students were baffled with the teacher’s instructions’? (20080422)
• How is the word ‘aplomb’ pronounced? (20080422)
• Is there a difference between ‘I plan to re-cover the old sofa’ and ‘I plan to recover the old sofa’? (20080422)
• What is the difference between ‘robber’ and ‘thief’? (20080415)
• What is the meaning of ‘paddle one’s own canoe’? (20080415)
• What is the past tense of ‘quit’? (20080415)
• How is the word ‘succinct’ pronounced? (20080415)
• What is the meaning of ‘flip out’? (20080415)
• How is the word ‘awry’ pronounced? (20080408)
• What is the meaning of the expression ‘to make sheep eyes at someone’? (20080408)
• What is the difference between ‘perhaps’ and ‘maybe’? (20080408)
• What is the meaning of the expression ‘put past someone’? (20080408)
• Is the following sentence grammatically correct? ‘He has a car, hasn’t he?’ (20080408)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘Tinseltown’? (20080401)
• What is the difference between ‘biannual’ and ‘biennial’? (20080401)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘throw the hat into the ring’? (20080401)
• What is the meaning of vox populi? (20080401)
Know Your English - March 2008
March 2008
• What is the meaning of ‘serendipity’? (20080311)
• How is the word ‘idiosyncrasy’ pronounced? (20080311)
• What’s the difference between ‘envelope’ and ‘envelop’? (20080311)
• Know your English (20080304)
Know Your English - February 2008
February 2008
• How is the word `etiquette' pronounced? (20080226)
• What is the meaning of the expression `the proof of the pudding is in the eating'? (20080226)
• What's the difference between `work for someone' and `work with someone'? (20080226)
• What is the difference between `alumni', and `alumnae'? (20080226)
• How is the word ‘aficionado’ pronounced? (20080219)
• What is the response to ‘How do you do?’ (20080219)
• What is the difference between ‘misogynist’ and ‘misogamist’? (20080219)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘more sinned against than sinning’? (20080219)
• How is the word “extempore” pronounced? (20080212)
• What is the meaning of the expression “to separate the sheep from the goats”? (20080212)
• What is the difference between “sojourn” and “journey”? (20080212)
• How is the word ‘kiosk’ pronounced? (20080212)
• Is it okay to introduce myself in the following manner? “I am Mr. Thomas.” (20080212)
• What is the meaning of ‘modus vivendi’? (20080205)
• What is the origin of the word ‘magazine’? (20080205)
• What is the difference between ‘missive’ and ‘letter’? (20080205)
• What is the meaning of the expression ‘thanks but no thanks’? (20080205)
Know Your English - January 2008
January 2008
• What is the difference between ‘flammable’, ‘inflammable’ and ‘non flammable’? (20080122)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘take a leaf out of someone’s book’? (20080122)
• What is the meaning of ‘yore’? (20080122)
• What is the difference between ‘immoral’ and ‘amoral’? (20080122)
• Know your English (20080115)
• What is the meaning of ‘jejune’? (20080108)
• What is the difference between ‘collaborate’ and ‘corroborate’? (20080108)
• Does the word ‘w00t’ exist? (20080108)
• Some people are scared of taking injections. Is there a word for it? (20080108)
• Is it okay to say ‘Write me’? (20080108)
• Know your English (20080101)
Know Your English - December 2007
December 2007
• What is the meaning of ‘not to put too fine a point on it’? (20071225)
• What’s the difference between ‘take care of’ and ‘take care’? (20071225)
• How is the word ‘malfeasance’ pronounced? (20071225)
• What is the difference between ‘among’ and ‘amid’? (20071225)
• What is the difference between ‘climate’ and ‘weather’? (20071218)
• How is the name ‘Beowulf’ pronounced? (20071218)
• What is the meaning of ‘honorificabilitudinitatibus’? (20071218)
• What is the meaning of ‘mind-blowing’? (20071218)
• Is it ok to say, ‘Woman conductors, irrespective of their gender, are treated badly by officials’? (20071218)
• What is the difference between ‘masochist’ and ‘sadist’? (20071210)
• What is the meaning of ‘one trick pony’? (20071210)
• What is the meaning of ‘atonement’? (20071210)
• What is the meaning of ‘batathon’? (20071210)
• What is the meaning of ‘pretty penny’? (20071204)
• Is it okay to say, ‘I hope you would come to the party’? (20071204)
• What is the meaning of ‘white knuckler’? (20071204)
• How is the word ‘dour’ pronounced? (20071204)
• What is the meaning of ‘in camera’? (20071204)
• What is the meaning and origin of ‘hats off to someone’? (20071204)
Know Your English - November 2007
November 2007
• Can a woman be called ‘handsome’? (20071127)
• What is the meaning of ‘stand something on its head’? (20071127)
• What is the difference between ‘peep’ and ‘peek’? (20071127)
• Which of the following two sentences is correct? ‘He threw the ball at the wicket keeper’ or ‘He threw the ball to the wicket keeper’. (20071127)
• What is the difference between `while' and `whilst'? (20071120)
• What is the meaning of `cowed into'? (20071120)
• Is there a difference between `grant me leave for Friday' and `grant me leave on Friday'? (20071120)
• What is the meaning of `mutatis mutandis'? (20071120)
• How is the word `phlegmatic' pronounced? (20071120)
• What is the meaning of ‘finale’? (20071113)
• Is it OK to say ‘discuss about something’? (20071113)
• What is the origin of ‘denim’? (20071113)
• What is the meaning of ‘crony capitalism’? (20071113)
• What is the meaning of ‘square peg in a round hole’? (20071113)
• What is the meaning and origin of `smoke and mirrors'? (20071106)
• Can the word `etc.' be used with people? (20071106)
• How is the word `acerbic' pronounced? (20071106)
• What is the meaning of `urban legend'? (20071106)
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