Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

"HI I see that the house next door has now become an office. It has a nice name too. Silent World."

"Silent World, indeed. It's a misnomer."
"A what?"
"M..i..s..n..o..m..e..r. The first syllable sounds like the word "miss", while the second sounds like the word 'no'.""The final 'e' is like the 'a' in 'china', I suppose? But what does the word mean?"
"It means that something has been given the wrong name or designation."
"A wrong word has been used to describe something. Is that what you are saying?"
"I guess you could say that. For example, Silent World is a misnomer for the office next door. It should be called 'Noisy World'. It is anything silent."
"Calling Agarkar an 'all rounder' is a misnomer."
"That's a pretty good example. But the stress in 'misnomer' is on the second syllable. Here's another example. 'First class restaurant' is a misnomer for the run down place we have down the street. And do you know..."
"...what's the matter with you today? Why do you look so grumpy?"
"Haven't you told me a million times that I always look grumpy?"
"Not this grumpy. Something go wrong with the presentation you made yesterday?"
"You're smarter than you look. But yes, the presentation went down like a lead balloon."
"Went down like a lead balloon, eh? Is that another way of saying that your presentation flopped?"
"That's right. When you say that something went down like a lead balloon, it means that it was a total disaster. It failed to be funny."
"You tried to make a funny presentation? That was a big mistake. You have no sense of humour. Everyone knows that. Your jokes always go down like a lead balloon."
"They do not. Nobody has ever told me that my...."
".... remember the play you wrote a couple of years ago. You thought it was really funny. But nobody else did. It went down like a lead balloon."
"Well if you keep insulting me like that, you will go down like a ton of bricks."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to insult you. But you ...."
"...Oh never mind. I guess it's about time I forgot all about the presentation."
"Your presentations are usually good. At least that's what you claim. What went wrong this time?"
"I just didn't have time to prepare. I'd spread myself too thin, and...."
".... spread yourself too thin? You certainly don't look it. If you ask me, you have put on weight."
"Spreading oneself too thin has nothing to do with putting on or losing weight. When you say that you have spread yourself too thin, what you are implying is that you are doing too many things at the same time."
"I see. And if you are doing too many things at the same time, then it isn't possible for you to focus on anything in particular."
"Exactly!"
"Many of the students in my class have spread themselves too thin."
"Bala is teaching five courses this semester. I am afraid that he has spread himself too thin."
"I make it a point never to spread myself too thin."
"You are a completely different case. You make it a point to work as little as possible. Now then,...."
"...o.k. Grumpy, did you ask the people what they thought of your presentation?"
"I did try to sound out a couple of people, but they weren't very...."
".... `sound out people'. That's an interesting expression."
"When you sound someone out, you...."
"....I think I can guess the meaning. When you sound someone out, you probably try and find out what he/she thinks about something."
"Excellent. That's exactly what it means."
"Suresh was keen on knowing what Suparna thought of his new movie. He wanted me to sound her out."
"That's a good example. My boss is planning to bring about big changes in our company. He wants me to sound everyone out."
"...this presentation that you were making was for some private company, right?"
"That's right."
"Are you going to get paid for it?"
"Get paid for it? You must be joking. The poor owner is running it on a shoestring budget."
"A shoestring budget? What does that mean?"
"When you run something on a shoestring it means that you running it at a very low cost. You are running it on a small or inadequate budget."
"I see. And does this...."
"....let me give you another example. The ...."
"....let me try. My cousin started a restaurant on a shoestring budget."
"My uncle's company was able to produce high quality material on a shoestring budget."
"That's great! What's the company called?"
"Shoestring!"

* * * * *
``Water is composed of two gins - oxygin and hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin. Hydrogin is gin and water."
- A student in U.S.A.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 28, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

Is it OK to say, "Myself Subh Karan"?

There is a tendency among Indians to say "Myself Ram" or "Myself Krishna". The word "myself", "himself", "herself", etc should not come at the beginning of a sentence. You generally use these words when you have "I", "him", and "her" at the beginning of a sentence. For example.
*I made the pizza myself.
*She did the assignment herself.
*The young man washed himself.
*It would be ungrammatical to say: Myself made the pizza. / Herself did the assignment.

* * * * *
"Ladies may have a fit upstairs." {frac12} Notice outside a Hong Kong tailor shop.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

What is the opposite of "postpone"?

I guess in the Indian context one would say that the opposite is "prepone". It is very common to hear people say:
*The meeting has been preponed.
*I have decided to prepone my ticket.
*The date of his wedding has been preponed.
Native speakers of English, on the other hand, tend to use the word "advanced" in these contexts.
*The meeting has been advanced.
*I have decided to advance the date of my journey.
*The date of his wedding has been advanced.
With so many Indians living abroad, I am sure the word "prepone" will soon become a part of the native speakers' active vocabulary. I understand that the word has caught on in Canada. A lot of doctors there use it.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

Should I say, "I enclose" or "I enclose herewith"

Whenever someone applies for a job, it is standard practice to conclude the letter by saying, "I am enclosing herewith my certificates and...". Some people object to the use of the word "herewith"; they argue that it is redundant. They recommend that people say, "I enclose a copy of....", or, "Please find enclosed a copy of ". But the fact remains that even native speakers of English do say, "enclose herewith". The example provided by the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English for the word herewith is "I enclose herewith two copies of the contract".


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

How do you pronounce `schizophrenia'?

The word consists of four syllables. The first syllable is pronounced like the word "skit", while the second is pronounced like the word "so". The third syllable sounds like the word "free"; while the final "ia" is like the "ear" in "near", "dear", and "fear". The main stress is on the third syllable "phre". Some people pronounce the "o" in the second syllable like the "a" in "China".
Any idea what the word means? Schizophrenia is a mental disorder; people who withdraw into a totally different world, one that has nothing to do with reality are said to be suffering from schizophrenia. In informal speech, the word is often reduced to "schizo", although this may not be the polite thing to do when talking seriously about someone with a mental disorder.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between "partially cooked" and "partly cooked"?

There is a tendency to use the words "partially" and "partly" interchangeably. But careful users of the language make a distinction between the two. When you say that the rice has been partially cooked, it implies that it has not been completely cooked. In other words, it has been underdone; it needs to be boiled some more. On the other hand, when you say that it has been "partly" cooked, it seems to suggest that while certain portions have been cooked properly, some others have not been properly cooked. Perhaps some parts have been partially cooked! It is possible for a person to eat rice that has been partly cooked; he can eat the portion that has been cooked properly. You can also eat rice that has been partially cooked, but you may end up with a stomach-ache.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning and origin of the expression "Can't hold a candle to someone"?

When you say that someone cannot hold a candle to you, what you are implying is that the other person is not equal to you; he/she is in fact inferior to you. The expression can be used with things as well. Here are a few examples.
*As a teacher, Satish can't hold a candle to Atul.
*According to Manaswini, no pop group can hold a candle to the Beatles.*Naveen thinks he's a wonderful sitar player. The poor guy doesn't realise that he can't hold a candle to Shravan when it comes to playing the sitar.
This is one of those expressions, which has been around for several hundred years. Before the days of electricity, it was common practice to light candles after the sun went down. Since street lighting was almost non-existent, the fairly well to do had servants who followed them everywhere carrying a candle. It was also possible to hire "linkboys". These boys carried with them lanterns and candles and they provided the necessary light for the people going from one part of the town to another. Since the servants and the linkboys were looked down upon by the masters, the expression "can't hold a candle to someone" began to mean someone who is inferior.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

How is the word "exposi" pronounced?

The first syllable "ex" is pronounced like the prefix "ex". The "o" in the second syllable is like the "o" in "go", "so" and "no". The following "s" is like the "z" in "zoo", "zip" and "zing". The final "i" sounds like the "ay" in "say", "gay", and "may". The stress is on the second syllable "po". It is also possible to have the main stress on the final syllable. In order to do that, you must pronounce the "o" in the second syllable like the "a" in "China" and "India". By the way, the final "i" has an accent mark on it.
An exposi is generally a story in the mass media - radio, television, newspapers, etc - which reveals the truth about something to the public. Here are a few examples.
*The exposi triggered off a parliamentary debate.
*We want an exposi of the shady deals of builders.
*The local newspaper relies on exposi to survive.

* * * * *
"Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place." Johnny Carson.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

Which is correct? "Co-brother" or "co son-in-law?"

Indians, particularly those from the south, use the terms "co- brother" and "co son-in-law" to refer to one's wife's sister's husband. Native speakers of English however do not use these terms. Co-brother and co-son in law are terms used in Indian English alone. If you were to introduce someone as your "co- brother" to a native speaker of English, he/she would not understand you. Within the Indian context, I guess, we can continue to use the terms.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between "despise" and "hate"?

When you "hate" someone, you dislike the person intensely. Here are a few examples.
*I hate all politicians.
*There was a time when Reshma hated her Principal.
*When she was young, Janaki hated her sister.
"Despise" is a stronger word than "hate". When you say that you despise someone, it implies that you "hate" that person, but it also carries with it the sense that you have contempt for him/her. In other words, when you hate someone, you dislike the individual intensely, but when you "despise" him, you not only dislike him, but you also look down on him. So, when you despise someone, you consider him being beneath you; you may think that the individual is worthless. The word "hate" does not carry with it this negative connotation. You can hate someone who is superior to you. Here are a few examples.
*Nandita despises her new boss.
*I am told that Tara despises the company I work for.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

Can we say 7 into 20 is 140?

This is the standard practice in India. When we want to multiply, we say one of the following: multiply, into, or times. Native speakers of English, on the other hand, tend to use either "multiply" or "times". For example, a native speaker might say, "Three hundred and twenty times twenty is six thousand four hundred" He may also say, "Three hundred and twenty times twenty makes six thousand four hundred". For a simple sum like the one that you have given, the native speaker would say, "Seven twenties are one hundred and forty". Notice that it isn't "is", but "are". Two fives are ten. Three tens are thirty.
The word "into" is normally reserved for division and not multiplication. For a native speaker, ten "into" one hundred and twenty would mean one hundred twenty divided by ten. The answer in this case is twelve. But for many Indians the answer would be one thousand two hundred - because we tend to associate "into" with multiplication.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

WHAT IS the meaning and origin of the expression "to give someone an even break"?

When you give someone an even break you are giving the person the same opportunities as others to do something. In other words, you are giving a fair chance to the individual; you are being impartial. Here are a few examples.
*Sarita has tonnes of talent. All she needs is someone to give her an even break and she could be at the top.
*If you don't have a Godfather, then no one will be willing to give you the even break you need to prove how good you are.
*Prasanna gave the even break Sneha was desperately looking for. She will always be grateful to him.
There are several explanations as to the origin of this expression. I will deal with only one here. According to some scholars, the expression comes from the sport of dog racing. In the old days it was common practice for people to take bets on whose dog was faster and which one was better skilled at "hare coursing". In order to determine this, the owners held the animals tightly by the leash and released them at the same time. This letting go of the leash at the same moment - so that neither dog was at an advantage - was referred to as an "even break." In case you are wondering what "hare coursing" is, well, a poor hare was let loose and the dogs were made to chase and kill the frightened animal. A cruel sport, indeed! By giving the dogs an even break, the faster and more skilled animal was likely to catch the hare. Later, the expression "to give someone an even break" began to be used with horse racing as well. Here it refers to the clean start to a race; where all the horses start off at the same time.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

What do the initials FAQ stand?

You find this in many web sites. The letters stand for "frequently asked questions".

* * * * *
"If you want your spouse to listen and pay strict attention to every word you say, talk in your sleep."
- Anonymous


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 07, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between "martyr" and "victim"?

A martyr is someone who is killed or punished because of his religious or political beliefs. The individual is willing to undergo any amount of suffering for the cause he believes in. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated because of their political beliefs. Whatever be the reason - political, or religious - the individual in this case is usually punished or killed intentionally.
A "victim", on the other hand, may or may not have any strong political or religious beliefs. He may be killed or punished intentionally or accidentally. A person who is murdered is referred to as a "victim" and so is an individual who dies in a road accident. The word "martyr" carries with it the sense that the individual gave up his life voluntarily for the cause he believed in; that he fought hard for his beliefs. A "victim" may been killed for no apparent reason. He could have merely been an individual who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 07, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

Is it OK to say, "Which class are you studying?"

This seems to be a common way of asking the question in our country. Most people accept it the way it is - at least in speech. If you wish to be grammatically correct the word "in" is required. You could either say, "In which class are you studying?" or "Which class are you studying in?" It is also possible to ask a person, "Which class are you in?" Here are a few more examples.
* In which room did the murder take place?
* Which room did the murder take place in?


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 07, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of "misogynist"? How do you pronounce the word?

The word "misogynist" is usually used to refer to a man who hates women. Here are a few examples.
* Some scholars believe that Jack the Ripper was a misogynist.
* When his wife ran away with another man, Rahul became a misogynist.
* As expected, the misogynist didn't invite a single woman to the party.
A word about the pronunciation. The `i' in the first syllable is like the `i' in `hit', `bit', and `sit'. The following `o' sounds like the `o' in `hot', `pot', and `lot'. The "y" in the third syllable is pronounced like the "a" in "China", and "about". The "g", by the way, is like the "j" in "jam", "Jew", and "jelly". The final "i" is like the "i" in "kit" and "pit". The main stress is on the second syllable.
This word is another example of how male chauvinistic the English language is. "Misogynist" is a fairly common word; most dictionaries include it. But not all dictionaries include the word, which refers to a woman who hates men! Why? I guess women are supposed to like men. Perhaps there are more women-hating men than men-hating women! Who knows! By the way, do you know what a woman who hates men is called? "Misandrist".


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 07, 2001

Know Your English (Aug 2001)

Know your English

WHAT IS the meaning and origin of "red letter day"?

When you refer to something as being a "red letter day", it implies that it's a very important or a very special day. As far as you are concerned, it's a day on which something memorable happened or will happen. Here are a few examples.
* The day the school won the championship was a red letter day for us.
* Even after twenty-five years, Vasu considers his wedding day a red-letter day.
* The days I spent with Raja Rao were red-letter days.
The expression comes from the practice that was followed in religious calendars. In the old days, saints' birthdays, festivals and other holy days were marked in red. The other days of the month, which were not special, were marked in black. So, the original "red letter day" had a religious significance. It was only during the 18th century that the expression began to take on a general meaning - namely any memorable or important day in an individual's life. You can now refer to the day of graduation as a red-letter day. The day you meet Amitabh Bachchan or Sachin Tendulkar could also be called a red letter day! By the way, this practice of marking special days in red continues even today. For the modern man, Sundays and second Saturdays have become red-letter days as well!


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, August 07, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of ``bimonthly"

The word ``bimonthly" can mean different things. A magazine or journal that is published once in two months can be called a ``bimonthly". The word can also be used to refer to a magazine that comes out twice a month. So when someone refers to a magazine as being a bimonthly, find out from him whether it is twice a month or once in two months. A magazine that comes out once in three months is called a ``quarterly". A ``fortnightly" is one that is published once in two weeks.

* * * * *
``Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer." - Dave Barry


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July 31, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of the expression ``talk through one's hat"?

This is what our politicians do most of the time. And what is it that our elected officials are famous for? They have the tendency to give lengthy speeches/talks on subjects that they know nothing about. So when you ``talk through your hat" what you are actually doing is talking about something as if you know a lot about it, when in fact you know nothing about it. When you talk through your hat, you talk nonsense. Here are a few examples.
*Our not so beloved Professor was as usual talking through his hat.
*Jayashree was talking through her hat. She doesn't know anything about chemistry.
*Stop talking through your hat Sunila!
This expression is considered to be rather old fashioned. Another expression, which has the same meaning, is ``talk through the back of one's head". Here are a few examples.
*Sidhu talks through the back of his head most of the time.
*Pooja as usual was talking through the back of her head.
Can the first Principal of a college be called the ``founder Principal" - though he is not the one who founded the college? (Dr. C. Venkatramaiah, Tirupati)The word ``founder" is normally used with people who have established a business, school, college, etc. In your example, the Principal did not establish the college; he was merely appointed its first Principal. Perhaps the ``founder" appointed him Principal! You can refer to the individual as the ``first Principal" and not the ``founder Principal".


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July 31, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between a ``robber" and a ``thief"?

A thief is someone who takes things from you without your being aware of it. A pickpocket, for example, is a thief. He comes up behind you and takes away your wallet without your knowledge. A thief doesn't threaten you with a gun or a knife. In fact, in most cases, you are hardly aware of his presence.
In the case of a robber, on the other hand, you are aware of his presence. You usually come face to face with him. A robber takes things from you by threatening you; he may have a gun or a knife. In the case of a robbery, you are aware of the fact that things are being taken from you. People who force you to part with your belongings are robbers; those who take it away from you without your knowledge are thieves.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July 31, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

Is there a word for someone who fears thunder and thunderstorms?

Many of us as children were afraid of thunder and thunderstorms. So it would be rather surprising if the English language didn't have a word to refer to someone who is scared of thunder and thunderstorms. The Greek word for thunder is ``bronto". We all know what ``phobia" is. So the fear of thunder and thunderstorms is ``brontophobia". A person who suffers from this phobia is a ``brontophobe". Here are a few examples.
*Bala had to share a room with a brontophobe during a thunderstorm.
*I am told that Prakasham suffers from brontophobia.
*I wouldn't take Meera out on a night like this. She is brontophobic.
These words however are not used very often.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July 31, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

WHAT IS the meaning and origin of the word ``laconic"?

If you want to know the meaning of the word ``laconic" all you have to do is to recall those old Amitabh Bachchan movies where he played the role of the angry young man. Remember movies like Deewar, Zanjeer, Sholay and Trishul? In these movies Amitabh hardly spoke; he was laconic. Whenever the heroine or villain spoke at length about something, Amitabh's usual response was a one liner. The word ``laconic" is usually used to refer to a person who speaks very few words. He is usually blunt and brief in what he has to say. We have at some time or the other met such a person in our life. Here are a few examples.
*The scientist's laconic replies were driving the reporter up the wall.
*A laconic politician! That is an oxymoron.
*Das' laconic speech left everyone wondering if something was wrong.
The word comes from the name of a place in Greece - ``Laconia". The Spartans who lived in this region were known for their ability to ration their words. (An ability, which I wish all our politicians, would acquire!) Whatever they said, it was to the point. The story goes that Philip of Macedon sent a message of warning to the Laconians. The message was: ``If I enter Laconia with my army, I shall raze Sparta to the ground. I will destroy it." The Laconians' terse response to this threat was ``If"!
Finally, a word about the pronunciation of ``laconic". The ``a" in the first syllable is like the ``a" in ``China", ``about", and ``announce". The following ``o" sounds like the ``o" in ``cot", ``pot", and ``hot". You can probably figure out how the final syllable is pronounced. The main stress, by the way, is on the second syllable.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July 31, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

"HOW WAS your trip to Madras? Was your sister happy to see you?''

"I don't know if she was happy to see me or not. But she was definitely happy to note that my water bottle was full."
"Your water bottle! What was so great about...''
"...there's an acute water shortage in Chennai. Things are really bad. If you were to walk into a stranger's house with a couple of bottles of water, he would welcome you with open arms!"
"It's that bad, eh? It's nice to know that your sister was happy to see your water bottle at least. Did you inform that you were planning to take up a job in Bombay?""No, I didn't. Besides, I haven't really decided whether..."
"...you should have informed that you were...."
"....informed her."
"What?"
"You should have informed her. You cannot say 'You should inform' or 'She informed'. You don't merely 'inform', you 'inform someone' of something. You have to let the listener know who that someone is. Here is an example. I informed Bala that there would be a meeting tomorrow."
"Would it be wrong to say 'I informed that there would be a meeting tomorrow'?"
"Yes, it would."
"I see. Then how about this example? The Principal informed some of the students that there would be no school tomorrow."
"Wishful thinking on your part. But the example is fine. The Manager informed Madhuri that he was taking the rest of the day off."
"The teacher informed me that I had done fairly well in the test. How does that sound?"
"Sounds great! I must say that you cotton on fast."
"I `cotton on' fast. What's that supposed to mean?"
"Why don't you try and guess the meaning?"
"Well, let me see. I gave you an example and then you said that it was right. And then....Does cotton on mean that I understand things quickly?"
"Well done. When you `cotton on' to something, you begin to understand it or realise it."
"Is it an expression that is used often?"
"It is an expression used by native speakers of English in informal contexts."
"I see. How about this example then? At long last Harish cottoned on to the fact that Chitra wasn't interested in him at all."
"That's a pretty good example. Most of the students cottoned on to what the teacher was trying to say."
"That never happens in my case. Especially when it comes to Physics. Whenever my Physics teacher says something, it takes me at least half an hour to cotton on to what it is she is saying."
"That's because you don't cotton to physics like some of your other classmates."
"Cotton to? You mean cotton on to, don't you?"
"No, I mean `cotton to'. Here is an example. Jaya doesn't cotton to Karunanidhi."
"That example makes everything clear. Everyone knows that the two can't stand each other. So does `cotton to' mean to like someone."
"Very good. When you `cotton to' someone or something, you like the person or thing. Here's another example."
"Wait, wait! Let me come up with one. At the meeting the Manager came up with an excellent idea. Unfortunately, the Chairman didn't cotton to the idea."
"The heroine of the film didn't cotton to all the attention that the new hero was getting."
"It's not at all surprising that Namratha and Krishna didn't cotton to each other."
"That's a pretty good example. Now then, how about..."
"....by the way, how is your friend Namratha doing? Last I heard she was trying to find a job. Has she found one?"
"Didn't I tell you about Namratha? She won the lottery about six months ago. And since then she has been in tall cotton."
"Not cotton again."
"You don't cotton to expressions with the word cotton, do you? Anyway, any idea what 'in tall cotton' means?"
"Not a clue."
"When you say that someone is in `tall cotton' it means that he or she has life made. The person is fairly successful and has absolutely no problems with money."
"I wish I were living in tall cotton."
"Who doesn't? The two Ministers were in tall cotton till the CBI figured out what it was that they were doing."
"Can I say the two Ministers were in tall cotton till the CBI cottoned on to what they were doing?"
"You certainly can."
"How about this example? Twenty years from now I hope to be in tall cotton."
"Sounds good to me. By the way, the expression 'in tall cotton' is considered to be slang. So it should be used only in informal contexts."
"I'll try and remember that!"
"Hey, where are you off to?"
"Nagu's brother is leaving for Chennai tomorrow. Apparently he and his mother in law just don't get along."
"So how are you going to solve their problem?"
"Simple. I am going to ask him to carry about ten bottles of water."
"You have just given me an idea. I think you and I can become rich by selling water to our relatives in Chennai!"
"We'll be in tall cotton then."

* * * * *
"I told my wife that a husband is like a fine wine; he gets better with age. The next day, she locked me in the cellar." - Anonymous


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

What is the correct spelling of ``whiskey''? Is it ``whiskey'' or ``whisky''?

It depends on which part of the world you are from. I understand the Americans spell it ``whiskey'' while the British spell it ``whisky''. The English have been influenced by the way the Scots spell the word. The Americans, on the other hand, have been influenced by the way the Irish spell the brew. As you know when America was discovered, a lot of people from Ireland went to settle down there.

* * * * *
``I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants.''
- A. Whitney Brown


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July17, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

One of my teachers keeps telling us to ``chill out''. What exactly does he mean by that?

Well, if your teacher is asking you to ``chill out'' it says a lot about your class. Are you a noisy bunch? Do you and your friends talk non-stop in class? Do you allow your teacher say his piece? If the teacher has to use the expression ``chill out'' very often in class, then chances are you are not allowing him to talk in class! By asking you to ``chill out'', the teacher is asking you to calm down, to relax - in other words he is pleading with you to stop talking! The plight of most teachers these days! Here are a few examples.
* Most people like to chill out during weekends.
* The argument was turning nasty. So I told the guys to chill out.
* You have had a pressure packed week. Take a couple of days off and chill out.
It is also possible to say ``chill''. ``Chill out'' and ``chill'' both mean the same thing. Chillin' is another word, which is used very often in American English. Any idea what it means? It means ``great or excellent''. Here are a few examples.
* I made some chillin' friends during the holidays.
* Asmita said that she had a chillin' time yesterday.
* The movie was chillin'.
* By the way, all three expressions are used in informal contexts.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July17, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between ``corrigenda'' and ``errata''?

Both ``corrigenda'' and ``errata'' refer to the errors - usually in spelling - that occur in writing or printing. The words are mainly used to refer to the list of errors in a book along with their corrections. Of the two words ``errata'' is the more common. The errata or corrigenda are usually appended to the book - one usually finds this page at the back. The singular of `corrigenda' is `corrigendum'; while that of ``errata'' is ``erratum''. A note about the pronunciation of ``corrigenda''. The `o' in the first syllable is like the `o' in `cot', `pot', and `hot', while the `i' in the second is like the `i' in `pit', `sit', and `bit'. The `gen' in the next syllable sounds like the `gen' in `gentle' and `gentleman'. The `a' in the final syllable is like the `a' in `china'. The main stress is on the third syllable.
In the case of ``errata'', the first ``a'' is pronounced like the ``a'' in ``cat'', ``bat'', and ``hat'', while the second sounds like the ``a'' in ``china''. The stress is on the second syllable.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July17, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

How is the word ``dilettante'' pronounced?

* The `i' in the first syllable and the final ``e'' are pronounced like the `i' in `pit', `sit', and `hit'. The vowel ``e'' in the second syllable is like the ``a'' in ``china''. Some people pronounce the ``a'' like the `a' in `act', `pact', and `hat'. Others pronounce it like the ``a'' in ``bath'' and ``path'' (British English). The main stress is on the third syllable. Any idea what the word means? Well, a `dilettante' is someone who tries to cultivate an area of interest without really making the necessary commitment. The person may do a course in painting for example, without taking the subject seriously. He merely dabbles in the subject. Here are a few examples.
* I wouldn't take him too seriously. He is a musical dilettante.
* He often refers to his writings as the musings of a dilettante.
* The critics, as expected, did not take the young dilettante poet seriously.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July17, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

WHAT IS the origin of the expression ``lion's share''?

This is an expression which owes its origin to a story from Aesop's Fairy Tales. In the story, a lion and three of his friends - a fox, an ass, and a wolf - go hunting. After they make a kill the lion says that he is going to keep three fourths of the meat for himself. The reasons he provides for keeping the ``lion's share'' are the following: one fourth as his just share, one fourth for his lioness and cubs, and the other one fourth for his courage. The lion then goes on to inform his friends that he is prepared to part with the remaining one fourth provided one of them challenges him to a fight and defeats him. The three friends refuse to take him on and as a result leave the entire kill to the king of beasts. ``Lion's share'' as you can guess from the story means the larger share of something. Here are a few examples.
* Promod claimed the lion's share of the credit for winning the match.
* As usual, Vishnu took the lion's share of the pizza.
* They were supposed to divide the money equally between themselves, but Narender took the lion's share.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July17, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of ``We fear the president may be buying a lemon here''.

Have you ever bought a second hand car? Sometimes the person selling the car tricks us into buying something absolutely worthless. When you have been tricked into buying something worthless you have been sold a lemon. When you say that something is a lemon it implies that it is useless because it fails to work properly. So in the sentence that you have given, you are afraid that the president is buying something that is absolutely useless. (Isn't that what most presidents do?). Here are a few more examples.
Promod has a car which is real lemon.
I wouldn't borrow Madhavan's VCR. It's a lemon.
Rajeev bought a radio last month. It's turned out to be a real lemon.
By the way, ``worthless'' is the meaning of the word `lemon' in American English. In British English, it's people who are referred to as a lemon. The word is used in informal contexts to mean a silly person.
I felt such a lemon when I tripped over the carpet.
Many of the students think that the Dean is a bit of a lemon.
Usha has no intentions of meeting that lemon Ganpat.
* * * * *
``I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally.'' - W. C. Fields


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July10, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

Does the word ``history sheeter'' exist?

The words `history sheeter' and `rowdy sheeter' are often used in India to refer to a person who has a long criminal record - someone who has been arrested several times. The word however does not find a place in dictionaries. There is a word however - `rap sheet'. A `rap sheet' is a term used by native speakers of English, to refer to someone's criminal record. In this case, the reference is to the sheet itself and not the individual.
Some of our politicians have a rap sheet that is a mile long.
Her rap sheet is pretty impressive. She'll be our next Chief Minister!
The lawyers asked if there was a rap sheet on their client.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July10, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

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

This is an informal expression meaning to `go to bed'. Here are a few examples.
Ranjani hit the sack early last night.
It's been a long day. I am ready to hit the sack.
Although it was well past their bedtime, the children weren't ready to hit the sack.
The expression became popular during World War II when American soldiers began referring to the sleeping bag/blanket that they were carrying as ``sack''. Later, the word ``sack'' began to be used for anything that one could sleep on - a bed, a table, a bench, etc. The earlier expression that was commonly used was ``to hit the hay''.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July10, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

Who is a ``psephologist''?

First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The first `p' is silent. The `se' in the first syllable sounds like the `se' in `set', sent', and `sell'. The `ph' is pronounced like the `f' in `fit', `feet', and `food'. The vowel `o' is like the `o' in `got', `not', and `lot'. The `o' in the third syllable sounds like the `a' in `China' and the following `g' is like the `j' in `jam'. You can probably guess how the final `ist' is pronounced. It is the second syllable which has the main stress. Psephology is the scientific study of the way in which people vote in elections.
A `psephologist' therefore is someone who studies how people vote - he comes up with the statistics, the trends, etc. These are the people you see on TV during elections telling us about the `swing factor', etc.
Several psephologists were interviewed a day before the elections.
My cousin Mohan wants to be a psephologist when he grows up.
How does one become a psephologist?


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July10, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between ``while'' and ``whilst''

As far as meaning is concerned there is no difference between the two words; they can be used interchangeably. ``Whilst'' is considered by some people to be rather old-fashioned. It is mainly used in British English; Americans seldom use it. I understand that even within Britain, ``whilst'' is more common in the north than in the south. As far as the pronunciation is concerned, the final `st' of `whilst' is pronounced. Here are some examples. The Police entered the former Chief Minister's house while/whilst he was sleeping.
Shakunthala called up while/whilst I was having dinner.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July10, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

WHAT IS the meaning of ``sting operation''?

A sting operation is a well-planned scheme used by law enforcement agencies to entrap a criminal. It usually involves a lot of undercover work. Often the term is reduced to ``sting''. Here are a few examples.
It was a well-planned sting operation.
The sting, as expected, went off without a hitch.
The sting required a lot of manpower.
The word ``sting'' has another meaning as well. It is often used in informal contexts to mean ``to cheat or overcharge someone''. (Remember the Robert Redford and Paul Newman movie called ``The Sting''?) Here are a few examples.
The fruit vendor tried to sting me.
The supermarket next to my house makes it a point to sting its customers.
The mechanic tried to sting me, but I put him in his place.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July10, 2001

Know Your English (July 2001)

Know your English

``WEREN'T YOU supposed to come over and have dinner with me yesterday?''

``That's right. But there was a problem. You see...''
``....what was the problem?''
``My cousin rang me up around 6:00 and asked me to come over. You see his landlord's son is returning from the U.S. So the landlord wants my cousin to vacate the flat by the end of the month. My cousin and I were out all evening trying to find a suitable accommodation.''
``Did you find one?''
``No. It's so hard to find an accommodation these days.''
``You cannot say `an accommodation'. In British English the word `accommodation' is an uncountable noun. So you shouldn't use `an' before it.''
``Really? I didn't know that! How about this sentence? There is a shortage of cheap accommodation in our city.''
``Sounds pretty good. Some of the delegates wanted to know if we could take care of their accommodation.''
``The university refused to provide the teachers free accommodation.''
``Why should the university provide free accommodation?''
``Good question. Many teachers....''
``...by the way, this cousin of yours. What does he do?''
``He's an academician.''
``He's an academician? Which academy does he belong to?''
``Academy? What are you talking about?''
``Well you said that he was an academician. Which academy does he...''
``...he doesn't belong to any academy. What I meant to say was that he is a teacher. He teaches at the university.''
``A teacher, eh? In that case, the word you are looking for is `academic'.''
``What is the difference between an 'academic' and `academician'?''
``Well, strictly speaking, an `academic' is a person who teaches or does research at the university.''
``I see. How about this example? When I grow up I certainly don't want to be an academic.''
``The example is OK. But the word `academic' has the stress on the third syllable `de'.''
``But a lot of people I know....''
``...tend to put the stress on the second syllable. But the stress is on the third. The `a' in the first syllable is like the `a' in `cat', `bat', and `sat', while the `a' in the second syllable is pronounced like the `a' in `China'. And ....''
``....I think I can guess the rest. The `e' probably sounds like the `e' in `set', `pet', and `get'. The final `i' must be like the `i' in 'sit', `bit', and `hit'.''
``Exactly! Radhakrishnan was an academic before he became the President of India.''
``Everyone knows that. That's why we celebrate Teacher's Day.''
``Exactly!''
``My cousin is the only person in the family who wanted to be an academic. Now tell me, what is the meaning of the word `academician'?''
``First of all, the word has the stress on the fourth syllable `mi'. Usually when you refer to someone as being an `academician', it implies that he/she is a member of an academy or a society....''
``...any type of academy?''
``An academician is usually a member of an academy that is concerned with the arts or sciences. The Royal Academy of Arts, for instance, or the Russian Academy of Sciences.''
``I think I understand the difference now. A professor is an academic. And when that professor becomes a member of an academy which is devoted to either the sciences or the arts, then he becomes an `academician'. Am I right?''
``Absolutely! There is a tendency these days, however, to use the words `academician' and `academic' synonymously. Some people object to it. Most dictionaries have only one definition for the word `academician' - member of a society or academy.''
``I think I understand the difference now.''
``This cousin of yours. What does he teach?''
``Computer Science. And you know something, he is quite a popular teacher.''
``Did he show you the new computer lab?''
``He took me to the lab last week. He has a free access to it, you know.''
``Free access and not `a free access'.''
``What?''
``He has free access to the lab. You cannot say `a free access'.''
``I see. I would like to have access to the building next door. Say after 10:00 in the night!''
``That's a bank! No one is going to grant you access to it at 10:00 in the evening!''
``That's true!''
``But they may be willing to provide free accommodation! Your cousin....''
``....the academic in my family doesn't need accommodation. Today he received a letter from the university saying that he has been allotted one of their quarters.''
``All's well that ends well!''
* * * * *
``Marriages are made in heaven. But so are thunder and lightning!'' - Anonymous


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, July03, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

How do you address a female Mayor?

A simple ``Madam Mayor'' will do. After all, we do hear people say, ``Madam Governor'', ``Madam Chairperson'', ``Madam President'', etc.
* * * * *
``I recently read that love is entirely a matter of chemistry. That must be why my wife treats me like toxic waste.'' - David Bissonette


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June26, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between ``present''and a ``gift''?

Many of us tend to use the two words interchangeably in most contexts. Of the two, ``present'' is the more informal. The two words are used with things given to other people without expectation of return or compensation. It is not uncommon to hear people say, ``I gave him a gift/present on his birthday''. Both the sentences are grammatically acceptable. Careful users of the language make a distinction between the two words. A ``gift'' tends to be much more `valuable' than a present. It usually passes from the rich to the poor, from the high to the low. A ``present'', on the other hand, passes between equals or from the inferior to the superior.
* The children brought a present for the Minister.
* I gave him a pen as a present.
* The foundation is planning to gift the land to the society.
* He made a gift of two million dollars to his old university.
The word `gift' is also used with the inborn talent or skill that one has. It is because God is believed to have given us these things - we are getting something from a superior being! Picasso had the gift of painting, M.S has the gift of singing, etc. We do not, in these cases, use the word `present'.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June26, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of Kangaroo court?

This is no court at all. A kangaroo court is an unofficial court of law set up by a group of people, especially in prisons and trade union organisations, in order to try someone of a crime. In most of these cases, the verdict is predetermined. The person on trial is usually found guilty and punished.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June26, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning and origin of the expression ``wet behind the ears''?

When you say that someone is wet behind his/her ears, it means that he/she is young and immature. The person is `green'. Here are a few examples.
* You can easily fool Anand. He is still wet behind the ears.
* I don't know how Janaki got promoted. If you ask me, she is still wet behind the ears.
* I can't give the assignment to you. You're still wet behind the ears.
Before we entered this beautiful world of ours, all of us were floating around in our mother's tummy. When we came out of the womb, we came out with the amniotic fluid that was surrounding us. In other words, we entered this world soaking wet. Doctors/nurses used towels to dry us off before handing us over to our mothers. In the case of newborn animals however, the mother has to lick the baby dry. It takes quite some time for the mother to do this. And one of the last places to become dry, I understand, is the area behind the ears. So if an animal is still wet behind its ears, it implies it has come into this world recently; it is still `green'.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June26, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

Which of the following sentences is correct? ``I pity who buy things from you'' or ``I pity those who buy things from you''.

The second sentence is correct. The verb `pity' needs an object after it. Who are the people that you pity? The first sentence doesn't give us this piece of information, the second one does. You pity those people who buy things from the person you are talking to. Here are a few examples.
* I pity the people who have to work in this weather.
* Rama pitied Bharath because he hadn't completed his assignment.
* She took pity on the boy next door.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June26, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

``WHAT IS the meaning of ``geek''?

This is a word which is mostly used in informal contexts. A `geek' is a person who is disliked by most people because of his disgusting behaviour or appearance. The `ee' is pronounced like the `ee' in `bee', `see', and `fee'. Here are a few examples.
* Our new chemistry professor looks like a geek. Wonder how he got the job.
* Who is the geek you were talking to?
* If you ask me, Maya's husband is a geek.
You may be interested to know that the word `geek' has another meaning as well; one that is more complimentary. A hardworking person can also be referred to as a geek. For example.
* Mohan is the geek you find in the library all the time.
* Sunitha always goes to that geek Prakash just before the exams.
* I will not have anything to do with that geek.
`Geek' was first used to refer to people who performed in circuses; not the acrobats, but those who performed unusual acts like biting off the head of a chicken, swallowing a live goldfish, etc. - acts which made the audience squirm. Or should I say acts which made the audience scream ``EEK''!


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June26, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

``WHAT ARE all those old magazines doing on the table?''

``My cousin from Delhi is here. He couldn't sleep last night. So he spent his time reading.''
``He likes to read, does he?''
``Oh, yes. He is a voracious reader.''
``Vor...what?''
``V..o..r..a..c..i..o..u..s. The `o' in the first syllable is like the `a' in `china'. The `a' in the second syllable is pronounced like the `ay' in `ray', `bay', and `say'.''
``The final `iou' is like the `a' in `china' again, right?''
``Exactly! The `c' by the way is like the `sh' in `sheet', `sheep', and `ship'. And the stress is on the second syllable. Any idea what the word means?''
``Voracious! Doesn't it mean truthful?''
``No, you are thinking of another word. When you say that someone is a voracious reader it means that the person loves to read lots of books. The person is very eager or hungry for knowledge, information...''
``....good grief! You mean there are people who are eager for knowledge? They must be in the minority, though. Anyway, how does this example sound? Mohan is a voracious reader of mystery novels.''
``Sounds good. The word can be used to refer to one's appetite as well. For example...''
``...it probably means someone who loves to eat. Someone who has a good appetite.''
``Excellent. That's exactly what it means. When you say that someone has a voracious appetite it implies that he/she eats large quantities of food. He/she is greedy to eat. For example, though Karhtick looks skinny he has a voracious appetite.''
``How about this example? Some of the kids in my class have voracious appetites.''
``That's a good example. Now, tell me...''
``...what was the word that I was thinking of?''
``What?''
``Well, when I said voracious means truthful, you said that I was thinking of another word. Which word....''
``....oh that! The word that you probably had in mind was `veracious'.''
``What?''
``This word is spelt v..e..r..a..c..i..o..u..s. According to many dictionaries it's pronounced the same way as `voracious'.''
``It is? Then how does a listener know which word the speaker is....''
``....the context will tell you whether the speaker means `voracious' or `veracious'.''
``I see. But tell me, what does the `veracious' mean?''
``When you say that someone is `veracious' it means the person is habitually truthful. It's a word that is generally used in formal contexts.''
``Someone who tells the truth all the time! I don't think I have met such a person. It's definitely not a quality that we expect in our politicians.''
``An honest politician is a bit of a contradiction. Anyway, here's an example. The veracious Vice Chancellor had a voracious appetite for vanilla ice cream.''
``We listened to the testimony of my veracious cousin.''
``My neighbour is not known for his veracity.''
``Meaning that he is not known for his truthfulness.''
``That's right.''
``Politicians are not known for their veracity. And...''
``.... before you start giving me a lecture on politicians, any news about your neighbour's son?''
``Yes, they found him at the city bus stand. He was trying to run away from home.''
``Why? What was his problem?''
``God only knows. He said that he wanted to be independent from his parents.''
``Why would anybody want to be independent of their parents? I mean....''
``....he wanted to be independent from them because....''
``....independent of, not from.''
``I see. Most teenagers want to be independent of their parents.''
``That's true. My sister wanted to be financially independent of my parents by the time she turned sixteen.''
``Did she become independent of them?''
``Not really. She had to wait another six years.''
``I don't want to be independent of my parents at all. In fact, I think I will be dependent of my father as long as possible.''
``That's a good idea. I am not really sure if your father will put up with you for long. By the way, it's `independent of', but `dependent on' or `dependent upon'.''
``Dependent on, eh? How about this example? Some of the up and coming actors are dependent on drugs.''
``Most children are dependent upon their parents for food and shelter.''
``That's true. We are dependent on tankers for our water supply.''
``Indeed. There was a time when people used to take water for granted.''
``Well, even now many people take it for granted. Which is why so many people waste it so much.''
``It's such a pity.''
``Well, I'd better get going. I seem to have developed a voracious appetite for....''
``...we all know that you have a voracious appetite. What we want to know is when you are going to become a voracious reader. You know ....''
``...I can give you the answer right now. NEVER!''
* * * * *
``When I give a lecture, I accept that people look at their watches, but what I do not tolerate is when they look at it and raise it
to their ear to find out if it has stopped.'' - Marcel Achard


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June19, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

``I WAS watching a movie last night and the hero kept saying `hang loose'. Any idea what it means?''

``When you tell someone to `hang loose' or `stay loose', you want him/her to remain calm. You want the person to relax.''
``If Roshni hangs loose she will definitely do well in the audition. How does that sound?''
``Sounds great. The champ knew that all he had to do to win the championship was to stay loose in the fifth set.''
``When the Principal began to worry about the coming exams, I told him to hang loose.''
``I wouldn't tell the Principal to hang loose if I were you. You see, the expression `hang loose' is considered slang. It should be used only in informal contexts.''
``I see. Tell me, what....''
``...it's unbearably hot today. Last night I just couldn't sleep.''
``Hang loose. The summer is almost over.''
``What makes you say that?''
``It's started raining in Kerala. So it should start raining in here pretty soon.''
``I don't want it to rain `in here'. I want it to rain here.''
``What's the difference? They mean the same thing, don't they?''
``No, they don't. When you say that you want it to rain `in here', it means you want it to rain inside this room.''
``Rain inside the room! That happens every year during the monsoon season. You see, that's how badly our roof leaks. So, if I say, `It snowed in here', does it mean that it snowed inside the room?''
``That's right. You don't want that to happen, do you?''
``Given how hot it is right now, I wouldn't mind a bit of snow inside the room.''
``You have a point there. But if you would like it to snow all over the city, then you have to say `here' instead of `in here'.''
``I wish it would snow here.''
``I am sure many people would enjoy the experience.''
``Well, did you finally get a chance to meet your boss' wife?''
``Yes, she came to the party last night.''
``Well, what was she like?''
``When she walked into the room, I had to do a double take. You see, ....''
``....no, I don't see. What does `double take' mean?''
``When you do a double take, you react with surprise. For example,...''
``...is it like looking at something the second time just to make sure that you saw it correctly the first time?''
``I guess you could say that. Suppose your physics teacher returned your test paper and you found that she's given you a hundred. How would you react?''
``I guess I would close my eyes and take another look just to see if I had seen it correctly the first time. You know just to make sure that I wasn't dreaming!''
``Well, in that case you would be doing a double take.''
``I think I understand now. How about this example? When I saw Hritik walk in with my friend Ganesh, I did a double take.''
``That's a good example. When the joggers at the park saw a tiger sitting under a tree, they all did a double take.''
Tell me about your boss' wife. Why did you do a double take after seeing her?''
``She is really beautiful that's why. When I saw her standing next to my boss I was reminded of the story of the beauty and the beast.''
``Is she short? Or is she a medium height woman?''
``You don't say `a medium height woman'. A better way of saying the same thing is `of medium height'. Yes, my boss' wife is a woman of medium height'.''
``I see. The man who robbed the bank was of medium height. How does that sound?''
``Why do you always come up with examples where someone gets killed or robbed?''
``That's me, I guess.''
``In that case, I had better be nice to you. Ten years from now chances are you'll become an MLA or MP.''
``I was thinking of becoming the Chief Minister.''
``With your attitude, you probably will become one. Any way, getting back to what we were talking about. In the good old days most of our actresses were short. Now many of them are of medium height. Some of course are tall.''
``I and my friends were talking about the same thing the other day. We were...''
``....my friends and I were talking about the same thing.''
``What?''
``You cannot say `I and my friends'. It's always `My friends and I'. Similarly 'Revathi, Kumar and I....''
``....I get the point. `I' always comes at the end. Is that what you are saying?''
``Exactly!''
``My friends and I saw a great movie yesterday.''
``Devi and I couldn't meet Professor Shyamraj yesterday.''
``Talking about Devi, I understand that he won the singles title.''
``I did a double take when I heard about that!''
* * * * *
``The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us.'' - Bill Watterson


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June12, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

What is the response to ``What have you been up to?''

The answer will to a very large extent depend on you. You could for example say ``Oh, nothing much'', or ``Keeping myself busy''. There are lots of possibilities. Here are a couple more: ``Trying to finish my assignments''; ``Trying to keep myself sane in this heat''!

* * * * *
``My advice to you is to get married: if you find a good wife, you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher.'' - Socrates


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June05, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

My friend claims that the word ``latrinogram'' exists. Is it true?

We have all come across the words ``telegram'', ``phonogram'', and what have you. But ``latrinogram''? Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? But your friend is right, the word ``latrinogram'' does exist. As you have probably guessed it, consists of two words - ``latrine'' and ``gram''.
A ``phonogram'' is a message that you receive over the phone. So, what do you think a ``latrinogram'' is? Yes, it's a message that you receive in the latrine! In this case, it is a rumour which originates in the latrines of offices - working people have a tendency to exchange a lot of information (gossip!) in bathrooms. Here are a few examples.
* There was a latrinogram yesterday about the boss being asked to resign.
* Sudha is marrying Sudhir! No way! That's just another latrinogram.
By the way, the stress is on the second syllable ``tri''.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June05, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of ``Gandhi's revenge''?

Ever heard the expression ``Montezuma's revenge''? It means diarrhoea. Tourists who went to Mexico invariably ended up with an upset stomach - they attributed this to the spicy food and also the water. Here are a few examples.
* Satish had a little touch of Montezuma's revenge on the second day.
* Poor Krishna couldn't go anywhere because of Montezuma's revenge.
You can now probably guess what ``Gandhi's revenge'' means. It's an attack of dysentery that some people experience after eating spicy Indian food. Of course, one doesn't have to visit India to experience ``Gandhi's revenge''; you can suffer the consequences after eating in any of the restaurants abroad! This is an expression that is mainly used in British English.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June05, 2001

Know Your English (June 2001)

Know your English

``WHAT IS the meaning and the origin of the idiom ``grinning like a Cheshire cat''?

First, let's deal with the pronunciation of ``Cheshire''. The ``ch'' is like the ``ch'' in ``cheese'', ``cheap'' and ``chit''. The ``e'' is like the ``e'' in ``wet'', ``set'' and ``met'', while the following ``sh'' sounds like the ``sh'' in ``sheep'', ``ship'', and ``shape''. The final ``ire'' is pronounced like the ``a'' in ``China''. The stress is on the first syllable. When you say that someone is ``grinning like a Cheshire cat'', it means that he/she has a broad smile on his/her face. Here are a few examples.
* Divya obviously knows something. She has been walking around all morning grinning like a Cheshire cat.
* When Leya walked in grinning like a Cheshire cat, I knew that she had come first in her class.
* The child was unaware of what had happened. He continued to jump around grinning like a Cheshire cat.
* Cheshire is the name of a county in England. Before you jump to any conclusions let me assure you that the cats from this county aren't famous for their grins! The place however, was famous for its cheese.
The cheese makers from this place used to draw the figure of a smiling cat on a special type of cheese. People who bought this type of cheese saw the face of a cat with a broad smile.
So the cat in the idiom ``grin like a Cheshire cat'' is not a real cat, but the figure that was found on cheese. Although the idiom has been around for several centuries, it was the author of ``Alice inWonderland'', Lewis Carroll who made it famous.
In the novel, Alice runs into a large cat with a big smile. When Alice asks why he is grinning, the Duchess replies, ``It's a Cheshire cat and that's why.'' In the story the cat begins to disappear slowly; it's the tail that disappears first and the smile fades last!
So at one point all that Alice sees is the face with a big smile. There are several other explanations about the origin of this idiom, but this is the one that is generally agreed upon.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, June05, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

Is it OK to say ``The whole building shivers when a train goes past''?

There is nothing wrong with the sentence from the point of view of grammar. It is possible to have such a sentence in children's stories.
But the fact remains that the word ``shiver'' is normally used with living things; animals and people. Buildings do not shiver, they merely ``shake'', or ``rattle'' - unless of course in the story that you are writing, the building is a living thing!
So, if you are merely writing a story for the newspaper, you would be better off saying the building ``shakes'', rather than ``shivers''.

* * * * *
``Never hit a man with glasses; hit him with your fist.'' - Anon


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between ``translation'' and ``transliteration''?

When you translate something you change it from one language into another - it could be spoken or written. For example, many of Shakespeare's plays have been translated into Indian languages. When these plays are staged , Shakespeare's characters will be speaking in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, etc. and not in English. If you want to become a translator you need to know at least two languages fairly well.
Many of our singers sing in different languages. When they sing, do they write the lyrics down in the language that they are singing in? Not always. Some of the singers only know how to read their mother tongue. So if they have to sing a Hindi song, and they know only Tamil, they will write down the song in Tamil. In other words, the words will be Hindi, but they will be written in the Tamil script. This is what we mean by transliteration. We use the alphabet system of one language to write another. You needn't know two languages to transliterate.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

How do you pronounce ``Seoul'', the capital of South Korea?

It is pronounced like the word ``soul''.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

Is it OK to say, ``Australia's Northern Territory passed an euthanasia law''?

We generally use the article ``an'' before words that begin with a vowel sound. Do not get confused between ``sound'' and ``letter''. The words ``university'' and ``unique'' begin with a vowel - at least in spelling. But when you pronounce these two words they begin with a consonant sound. Therefore one has to use the indefinite article ``a'' and not ``an'' before these two words. We have to say ``a unique person'' and ``a university''. Similarly, the word ``euthanasia'' though it begins with a vowel letter, when the word is pronounced, the first sound is a consonant one. Therefore the article that will precede it is ``a'' and not ``an''. It should be ``a euthanasia law''. Euthanasia as you know is sometimes referred to as ``mercy killing''. It is the act of painlessly killing an individual who has no hope of recovering from the disease that is slowly killing him. Euthanasia is illegal in most countries.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of ``carte blanche''?

The first word ``cart'' is pronounced like the word ``cart''. The ``a'' in ``blanche'' is pronounced like the ``o'' in ``hot'', ``pot'', and ``cot''. The final ``che'' sounds like the ``sh'' in words like ``should'', ``shut'', and ``ship''. The main stress is on the first syllable of ``blanche''. As you have probably guessed, the expression comes from French.
When you give someone ``cart blanche'', you give them total freedom to do whatever they want. It's like giving them a blank cheque. The literal French meaning of carte blanche is `blank document'. Therefore when you are given ``carte blanche'' you are given complete freedom or authority to do whatever you think is right. Here are a few examples.
* The new Director was given carte blanche to do what he wanted. Rahul was given carte blanche to remodel the old house.
* Sneha was given carte blanche to hire teachers for the new school.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

What is the question tag to be used for ``I am a boy''?

The question tag that is normally used is ``aren't I''. This would be considered standard. In informal contexts one could also say ``ain't I''. The word ``ain't'' however is considered non- standard. It is also possible to say ``am I not?''


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning and origin of ``not be up to scratch''?

When you say that something is ``not up to scratch'' it means that it is not up to the mark. It is not of an acceptable standard or quality. Here are a few examples.
* I find that Alok's designs aren't up to scratch.
* It's no surprise that her last essay wasn't up to scratch.
* The tests showed that the new recruits were not up to scratch.
This is an idiom that comes from the world of boxing. In the old days when boxing was still a primitive sport, a line was drawn in the centre of the ring. The line was called a ``scratch''. Nowadays whenever a boxer is knocked down during the bout, all he/she has to do is to stand up before the referee counts to ten. During the early days of boxing, the contestant who had been knocked down had to demonstrate that he was in control of his faculties by walking to the line (``scratch'') within 38 seconds. Why it was 38 seconds, I have no idea. If the boxer was unable to come up to the ``scratch'' within the allotted time, then he was considered unfit to continue the fight. The fight was awarded to his opponent.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

Why is the television called the ``idiot box''?

What is it that you normally do when you watch television? You keep staring at the screen. You are glued to the images that appear on it. You sit there passively with your eyes wide open. You don't even think; you just sit there like an idiot, watching. This is one of the reasons why television is called the ``idiot box''. Television kills your imagination and your curiosity and in the process makes you an idiot. By the way, another common name for television is ``goggle box'' - people just keep staring (goggling) at it like a bunch of idiots!

* * * * *
``I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversation.'' - G. B. Shaw


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

Is it OK to say ``The Chief Minister is in favour with Sumalatha''?

The expression ``in favour'' is usually followed by ``of'' and not ``with''. You are usually ``in favour of'' something. Here are a few examples.
* The farmers were not in favour of building a dam.
* Mohan and Sujatha were in favour of the new proposal.
* Nobody was in favour of the Japanese taking over the factory.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

How do you pronounce the final `s' in ``Charles's''?

The final ``s'' is pronounced like the ``es'' in words like ``houses'', ``blouses'', and ``noses''. It sounds like the word ``is''.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of ``ad nauseam''?

First let's deal with the pronunciation. The word ``ad'' rhymes with the words ``pad'', ``bad'', and ``sad''. The ``au'' is like the ``ore'' in ``tore'', ``pore'' and ``core''. The following ``s'' is like the ``z'' in ``zip'' and ``zoo''. The ``e'' is like the ``i'' in ``pit'', ``bit'', and ``hit'', while the final ``a'' is like the ``a'' in ``China''. Some people pronounce the final ``a'' like the ``a'' in ``act'', ``pact'' and ``fact''. The main stress is on the first syllable of ``nauseam''. When someone does something ad nauseam they do it repeatedly over a long period of time. He/she does it so often that you become sick and tired of it; very often you become irritated by it. Here are a few examples.
* For the next hour the child played the same song ad nauseam.
* Sashi went on ad nauseam about what a wonderful wife he has.
* The Director went on ad nauseam about how well the company was doing.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

What is the difference between ``flats'' and ``apartments''?

There is no difference; these are merely two words that are used on different sides of the Atlantic to refer to the same thing. Americans tend to use the word ``apartment'', while those in England prefer ``flat''.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

What is the meaning of ``snail mail''?

Are you into computers? Do you access the Internet frequently? Do you send e-mail every day? If you do, then like me, you too are probably amazed at the speed at which communication takes place these days. You can send mail to someone in America and get a reply in a matter of hours/minutes. Earlier, it used to take at least a couple of weeks to get a reply. The word ``snail mail'' refers to the regular mail - letters that we write to our friends and relations and put in a letterbox. Letters that normally take a couple of days to reach their destination - sometimes never reach at all! As you may have probably guessed, this word was coined by some computer buff.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

How do you pronounce the word ``hooch''?

The ``oo'' is like the ``oo'' in ``fool'', ``cool'', and ``pool''. The final ``ch'' is like the ``ch'' in ``chips'', ``chap'', and ``chin''. Any idea what the word means? This is a word used in very informal contexts in American English to refer to any alcoholic beverage that has been made illegally. Here are a few examples.
* He offered me some hooch, but I turned it down.
* I would like to have some more of that hooch, please.
* One could smell the hooch three miles away.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

WHAT IS the meaning of the idiom ``to bite the dust''?

This is an expression that was made popular by old cowboy movies. When you say that someone has bitten the dust, it implies that he/she is dead. It is an expression that is normally used in informal contexts. Do not walk into someone's house and say, ``I understand that your father bit the dust yesterday. I am so sorry.'' Here are a few examples.
* The hero fired the gun and another villain bit the dust.
* When she was diagnosed with cancer, Paroma turned to the doctor and said that she was too young to bite the dust.
* I don't think the old man next door will ever bite the dust.
When referring to things, ``to bite the dust'' means ``to break or to fail''. This is the sense in which the expression is used most often these days.
* Another one of Promod's plans bit the dust.
* Balakrishna's old scooter bit the dust yesterday.
* Dolly's attempt to become the next Vice President bit the dust.
The rock group ``Queen'' has a song called ``Another one bites the dust''.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

Is it O.K to use the word ``thrice'' to mean ``three times''?

It is very common to hear people in our country use this word to mean ``three times''. For example, we often hear people say, ``I saw the movie thrice'' and ``I have read the book thrice.'' Native speakers of English seldom use this word; it is considered rather old fashioned. Native speakers would say ``once, twice, three times.'' Is it wrong to say ``thrice''? Not really. You will sound old fashioned that's all.
``Relations are simply a tedious pack of people who haven't got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die.'' - Oscar Wilde


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 15, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

In one of the episodes in ``Law and Order'' the detectives kept saying ``DOA''. What do the initials stand for?

DOA is an abbreviation for ``dead on arrival.''


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 15, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

Newsreaders say ``main stories''. Is it OK to use ``stories'' when referring to news?

I understand that ``stories'' is a word used in newspapers to refer to news items. Since radio and television came long after newspapers, many of the terms used by journalists were adopted by radio and television professionals. The word ``stories'' is used by newsreaders all over the world.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 15, 2001

Know Your English (May 2001)

Know your English

How do you pronounce the word xenophobia?

The ``x'' is pronounced like the ``z'' in ``zen'', ``zoo'' and ``zip''. The first syllable ``zen'' rhymes with the words ``ten'', ``men'' and ``hen''. The first ``o'' is like the ``a'' in ``China'', while the second is like the ``o'' in ``go'', ``so'', and ``no''. The final ``ia'' is like ``ea'' in ``dear'', ``near'', and ``fear''. The stress is on the third syllable ``pho''. The word means extreme fear or dislike of people from other countries. If you hate foreigners, then you could say that you are xenophobic. Here are a few examples.
* The present government is adding to the xenophobia already existing.
* Malathy is too xenophobic to go abroad.
* Bala's xenophobia prevented him from meeting some interesting people.


Source:
The Hindu daily, Tuesday, May 15, 2001