Discussion Forum
This is a forum to discuss the gray areas of the English language for which you would not find answers easily in dictionaries or other reference books.
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Latest Posts
Which is correct? 1. Let’s begin from page 10. 2. Let’s begin at page 10. (UK?) 3. Let’s begin on page 10. (US?) Thank you.
Which is correct? 1. ‘at’ mark 2. ‘at’ symbol 3. ‘at’ sign 4. any other? Thank you.
Could someone explain to me the meaning of “when rubber meets the road?”
Can’t help it but I really despise the expression “all but”. How did a phrase that suggests the opposite of what it says ever come into currency?
“Such actions were all but unheard of then” “Later, they were all but wiped out in a British attack” “They were all but exterminated by the Jedi”
PS: For some discoveries in word coignage read Neal Stephenson’s trilogy The Baroque Cycle. A mere 3000 pages.
I have been wondering about the use of these terms, especially when they came up repeatedly in the Presidential Debates. I am taking a Linguistics Class and my Professor asked me to do some research. I don’t even know where to start, what are these terms referred to as, and what are the constraints on their use? They always sound awkward to me when I hear them, but I am starting to realize that that doesn’t mean anything.
Thanks in advance,
Elizabeth
Does anyone know the history of the phrase “screw the pooch” and exactly what it means? Thanks.
Where does the term ‘five by five’ come from? I first heard it on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, but have since heard it in a military setting. The context on ‘Buffy’ is:
How are you doing? Five by five!
I take it to mean something like ‘fine’, ‘great’ or something similar. Does anyone know how it came to be?
What does “fuff” mean Dave? Is a corruption of puff?
What would you folk say to me if I-in a serious context-mix the two words, promoter and protector to make the word “promotector?” Would you still let me come over here? :-) Would it be better if I use a slash like “promo/tector” or just promotector will do? Or shall I just go get a life? How about “promo-protector?”
I would like to know the Question to ask for which we get a reply like...
“Manmohan Singh is the Fouteenth Prime Minister of India.”
I want the rank which Manmohan has.....
(Not a question like “Who is the Fourteenth Prime minister of India?”) I need Fourteen as the anser when inquired about Manmohan Singh.
I appreciate your help...
