An interesting list (at least to fans of English) from Mental Floss of old words that linger in our language by merit of inclusion in idioms. See if you know the word meanings within these expressions: http://mentalfloss.com/article/51150/12-old-words-survived-getting-fossilized-idioms
Tag: meaning
Aug 21
Using foreign words
Any writer of anything more meaningful than a text message or business email knows the frustration of expressing an idea that simply doesn’t have it’s own word(s). Instead of struggling to explain that I yearn for some solitude and tranquility among silent pine trees, it turns out I can just blurt “Waldeinsamkeit” to a passing …
Aug 08
The most unique
On vacation last month, I saw this tour bus. It illustrates a common problem with unique. According to Merriam-Webster, unique means sole or unequaled. A item either is unique, or it isn’t — there aren’t degrees to which an oil painting can be sole or unequaled, nor can a Halloween costume be more or less …
Nov 07
But if you don’t need directions, it’s x3845.
I’ve been noticing how often writers and speakers are sloppy with the word “if.” The example I caught myself typing this week: “If you need directions, my phone number is x3844.” How silly. My extension is 3844 whether or not you need directions. If you need directions, you can call x3844. Another example: “I’ll be …