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