Know Your English - September 2004

• What is the meaning of "shilly-shally"?
• Is it OK to say, "The subscriber you are calling is switched off"?
• What is the meaning and pronunciation of "bete noire"?
• What's the difference between a "fanatic" and a "bigot"?
• Which is correct? "To keep the wolf from/off the door"?
• What is the difference between "approve" and "approve of"?
• How is the word "shot-put" pronounced?
• What is the meaning of "rubberneck"?
• What is the meaning of "day scholar"?
• How is the word "blitzkrieg" pronounced?
• What is the difference between "dinner" and "supper"
• Which is correct "cope up with" or "cope with"?
• Does the word "meanderthal" exist?
• What is the origin of "blackball"?
• What is the difference between a "homemaker" and a "housewife"?
• What's the difference between "deal with" and "deal in"?
• When do we normally use the expression "if only"?
• Is the word "unwell" used only with pregnant ladies?
• What is the meaning of "icing on the cake"?
• How is the word "bonhomie " pronounced? What does it mean?