Know Your English

What is the difference between "nought" and "naught"?

As far as the pronunciation is concerned there is no difference. Both words are pronounced
like the word "not". Careful users of the language use "nought" to refer to the number
"zero". The word is used mostly in British English; Americans do not employ it at all.

*Our star batsman scored a nought in the first innings.

*How many noughts are there in one million?

Both "naught" and "nought" can be used to mean "nothing". One way to remember the
difference between the two words is that the word meaning zero is spelt with an "o" —
which looks like zero! When you make an effort to do something and it doesn't succeed, you
can say that your efforts have come to naught/nought.

*His attempts to overthrow the President came to naught.

*All her efforts came to naught.

Some people think that "naught" and "nought" are old fashioned. Did you know that
"naughty" and "naught" are related? The original meaning of a "naughty child" was a "good
for nothing child".

Is it correct to say, "Both Rahul as well as Peter live in Hosur"?

No, it is not. In such a sentence you can either use "both" or "as well as". You cannot
include the two in the same sentence. You can say, "Both Rahul and Peter live in Hosur" or
"Rahul, as well as Peter, lives in Hosur". Notice that in the second case, the verb is "lives"
and not "live". When you use "as well as" the verb that follows usually agrees with the noun
that precedes "as well as" — especially when "as well as" is separated by commas.

*The teacher, as well as the students, is going to Chennai.

*The students, as well as the teacher, are going to Chennai.

Thought for the day: Our knowledge is a little island in a great ocean of
nonknowledge - Isaac Singer

Does the expression "in short supply" mean the same thing as "in short order"?

No, it doesn't. When you say that a commodity is "in short supply" what you mean is that it
is scarce. The item is very difficult to get hold of because there is very little of it available.
The demand for it is far greater than the supply. Here are a few examples.
*Thanks to the transport strike, fresh vegetables are in short supply.

*I am told that during World War II chocolate was in short supply.

"In short order", on the other hand, has nothing to do with demand and supply. When you
say that something was done in short order, what you mean is that it was done very
quickly. The expression is mostly used in informal contexts. *The Minister's assistant
straightened out the mess in short order.

*I don't want any excuses. I want this work done in short order.

What is the meaning and origin of "carrot and stick approach?"

The carrot and stick approach was first used by owners of donkeys in order to keep their
animals moving. Whenever the animal stopped, the rider used to dangle a raw carrot in
front of the animal's nose. And if the stubborn animal still refused to move, then guess what
happened? The owner gave it a sound thrashing with a stick! When you adopt the carrot
and stick approach, you are getting someone to do what you want him to by rewarding him.
You give him something valuable, something he wants. If he fails to do what you want him
to, then you punish him. You make something bad happen to him. So when a Minister says
that he is going to adopt a carrot and stick policy, is he implying that he is the master and
we are all asses? Not really. All that he is saying is that he is going to reward those who do
their job and punish those who don't.

*The teachers use both the carrot and the stick to make sure that the students do their
work.

*The Government says that it favors a carrot and stick approach to get unemployed people
back to work.

Thought for the day: When our response meets the challenge we achieve success -
Stephen Covey

What is the difference between a "housewife", "housekeeper" and "housesitter"?

A "housewife" is a married woman who looks after her house. She does not have a job
outside the house; she is not employed by anybody else. She spends all her time running
the house. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, looking after the kids and the husband. A
"housekeeper", on the other hand, is someone who is hired to look after someone else's
house. The housekeeper is usually responsible for the cooking and the cleaning of the
house. She may or not stay with the owners.

*Rama said that she couldn't afford a housekeeper.

A "housesitter" is also someone who is hired. In this case, the individual is hired to look
after the house while the owners are away. For example, if you and your family decide to
take a vacation, but are scared that someone may break into your house, you may decide
to hire a housesitter. It is his/her job to take care of the house while you are away. Just like
you have "babysitters", you now have "housesitters". These people stay inside the house;
they are not like the watchman whom you post outside for security.

*Ashish is a reliable housesitter. You can call him.

How is the word "flibbertigibbet" pronounced?

The first "i" is like the "i" in "bit", "pit", and "sit", while the "e" in the second syllable is
pronounced like the "a" in "china". The following two vowels are usually pronounced like the
"i" in "sit" and "bit". The "g" in the fourth syllable is like the "j" in "jam", "juice" and "Jew".
Any idea what the word means? When you say that someone is a "flibbertigibbet" it means
that the individual talks aimlessly. He/she just rambles.

*Please, I don't' want to spend time with that flibbertigibbet.

*The flibbertigibbet is here to see you again.

What is the meaning of "gonna" and "wanna" ?

"Gonna" is actually "going to" and "wanna" is "want to". In informal styles of writing, many
Americans tend to spell these words in this manner. Similarly, "got to" is often spelt "gotta".
In fact, one finds these words spelt in this manner in comic books. These spellings,
however, are not acceptable in formal contexts. Teachers tend to frown on them. So you
"gotta" know when it's OK to write "wanna" cos not everyone is "gonna" to accept it when it
is spelt this way.

Thought for the day: There are three ingredients in the good life: learning, earning
and yearning - Christopher Morley

What is the meaning and origin of "Catch 22"?

Sometimes it so happens that the two candidates contesting for the same parliamentary
seat are both crooks. No matter whom you vote for, it isn't going to matter; either way, you
are going to elect an individual of questionable integrity. Though it seems that you have a
choice, you really don't have one. A Catch 22 situation is a no win situation. No matter what
you do, you end up on the losing side.

*The companies didn't want to hire Velu because he didn't have any experience. But he
wasn't going to get any experience unless someone hired him. It was a real Catch 22
situation.

The expression comes from the title of a novel written by Joseph Heller in 1961. Many
people consider this work of fiction set during the Second World War a classic. In the story,
the only way that air force pilots could get out of doing combat duty was by pleading
insanity. In order to be discharged these individuals had to claim that they were insane. But
the catch was that only a sane person would know that going on bombing missions was
dangerous. Therefore when an individual pleaded insanity, he was doing what any sane
person would! Asking to be certified was the act of a perfectly sane man! Since he was
acting rationally, he wasn't insane. Result? No discharge.

Is it OK to say, "We must invest money on industry"?

No, it isn't. One usually "invests in" something, not "on". For example,

*The government should invest a lot more money in education.

*We would like you to invest in our hotel.

What is the meaning of "graveyard shift"?

This is an expression mainly used in American English. When you say that you are working
the graveyard shift in a factory, what you mean is that you are working the late night shift
— you usually work from midnight to eight in the morning.

*We have to cancel our plans. I am working the graveyard shift next week.

This expression became popular in the U.S. during World War II. It was a time when many
factories worked 24 hours a day. The people who worked the graveyard shift worked at a
time when everyone else was fast asleep; when everything in town was very quiet and as
still as a graveyard!

Thought for the day: Never stop learning; knowledge doubles every fourteen
months - Anthony J. D'Angelo

What is the difference between "figure something out" and "figure something
up"?

When you figure someone out, you begin to understand the individual better. Similarly,
when you figure something out, you begin to understand it better. Here are a few examples.

* Rohini was able to figure out the problem.

* Varsha is a new student in class. No one has been able to figure her out.

* It took Balaji some time to figure out what Malar was trying to say.

When you "figure something up", you add up the numbers. You total the amount of
something.

* Neha and Nandita took turns figuring up the bill.

* I am in a hurry. Could you figure the bill up, please?

* Jyoti, please figure up how many bags of cement we will need.

Which is correct? `enamoured of' or 'enamoured about'?

First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The "e" is like the "i" in "bit", "hit", and "sit"; the
following "a" sounds like the "a" in "bat", "cat", and "fat". The final "oure" sound like the "a"
in "china". The main stress is on the second syllable.

One can be "enamoured of" or "enamoured with" someone or something, but one cannot be
"enamoured about" something. When you are "enamoured of" something or someone you
are extremely fond of that person or thing. Here are a few examples.

* Someone told me that Naila is enamoured of Bruce Willis.

* Sreetilak wasn't enamoured with the idea of walking ten miles.

* Unlike many people I know, Gauri isn't enamoured of the United States.

Thought for the day: Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop
fighting - Napoleon Hill

What is the difference between "I just love that movie" and "I love that movie"?

In terms of meaning, the first sentence is much stronger than the second. The word "just" is
used to emphasize the fact that you "love" the movie very much. It's another way of saying,
"I simply/really love that movie". "Just" is often used in speech to mean "there is no other
word for it".

*The young heroine in the new movie was just beautiful.

How is the word `hoi polloi' pronounced?

The `oi' in the two words is pronounced like the `oi' in `oil', `boil', and `toil'. The `o' in the
first syllable of `polloi' is like the `a' in `china'. Both `hoi' and `loi' are stressed. In Greek
`hoi' means `the' and `polloi' means `many'. The term is normally used to refer to the
common people — the working class. We are not thinking of the rich, or the highly educated
class when we talk about the hoi polloi. Some people find this term offensive. Since the
word `hoi' means `the', people who have studied Greek argue that we shouldn't say `the
hoi polloi'. But `the hoi polloi' has become firmly established in English.

*The entry fee was kept very high to keep the hoi polloi out.

Is it okay to say, "Every day they have pizza and burger during the midday?"

We know when we say ‘midday', we mean 12 o'clock in the afternoon. Since we are
referring to a specific time in the afternoon, we should use `at' and not `during'. We should
say, "They have pizza and burger" at midday. If you would like to use `during', then use
`middle' rather than `midday'.

*The clerk told us that the forms would be distributed at midday.

*You'd better take a cap. It gets really hot during the middle of the day.

Thought for the day: If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one -
Mother Teresa

What is the difference in meaning between "That may be the reason she didn't
turn up" and "That might be reason she didn't turn up"?

For most people the two sentences have more or less the same meaning. Careful users of
the language, however, maintain a subtle distinction between the two. In the two examples,
"may" and "might" indicate "possibility". Some argue that "might," indicates a lesser degree
of possibility than "may". By the way, the word "might" is not the past form of "may".
* It may rain tomorrow. (50% chance of rain)
* It might rain tomorrow. (30% chance of rain)
What is the meaning of "Jack Robinson"?
The complete expression is "before you can say Jack Robinson" and it has been part of
American slang for over 200 years. When you do something before anyone can say Jack
Robinson you do it very quickly. As to who this Jack Robinson was no one is really sure.
According to one story, he was a well to do gentleman who would go around knocking on
other people's doors, but would disappear before he could be announced. Here are a few
examples.
* Before I could say Jack Robinson she shut the door.
* The lion disappeared before anyone of us could say Jack Robinson.
What is the meaning of "fait accompli"?
First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The first word "fait" is pronounced like the word
"fate". The "a" in "accompli" is like the "a" in "amount", "allow" and "aloud". The following
"o" is like the "o" in "cot", "pot", and "hot", while the final "i" is like the "ee" in "beef",
"feel", and "feet". The main stress is on the second syllable of "accompli". This is one way of
pronouncing the word. When you say that something is a "fait accompli" what it implies is
that a decision regarding a matter has already been made and cannot be changed. There is
no point in discussing it or arguing against it. The expression is French in origin. Here are a
few examples.
* Sunder married a woman his parents disapproved of and presented them with a fait
accompli.
* When they realized they were being presented a fait accompli, the members became very
angry.
Courtesy: The Hindu.
Thought for the day: None of us is as smart as all of us - Ken Blanchard

What is the difference between "amuse" and "bemuse"?

Some people think that these two words are synonyms. They are not; the two words have
very different meanings. When you are "amused" by something, you find it funny or
entertaining. It makes you laugh or smile.

*Renu was amused by the boy's antics.

*Rahul, I don't find your comments very amusing.

"Bemuse", on the other hand, has nothing to do with humor. When you are "bemused" by
something, you are confused or puzzled. For example,

*Srividya was bemused by the Chairman's comments.

*When Malar saw the question paper, there was a bemused expression on her face.

Which is correct? "Drink in" or "drink down"?

Both are correct depending on what it is that you want to say. When you "drink something
down" what you are doing is drinking it.

*The doctor asked Prithi to drink down the medicine.

*Sammy, drink this down. It will make you feel better.

When you "drink something in" what you are doing is absorbing it. When you read an
article, you drink in the information. Similarly, when you visit new places, you drink in the
sights. Here are a few examples.

*Vishnu made it to the top of the mountain and drank in the beautiful view.

*Darshana spent two hours drinking in the information in the article.

Courtesy: The Hindu.

Thought for the day: No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play
it- H.E. Luccock.

What's the difference between "deal with" and "deal in"?

When you "deal in" something you are in the business of buying and selling things.

*The new shop around the corner deals in stolen goods.

When you "deal someone in", you are permitting the individual to take part in something.

*No way! I don't think we should deal in Laya.

When a book or an article "deals with" something, it is about a particular subject.

*The book deals with the spread of AIDS.

The expression can also be used to mean, "to manage someone or something".

*There must be a way to deal with this problem.

*Bala finds it difficult to deal with Ganesh.

How is the word "bonhomie” pronounced? What does it mean?

The "o" in the first syllable is like the "o" in "hot", "pot", and "got", while the one in the
second syllable sounds like the "a" in "china". The final two vowels are like the "i" in "sit",
"pit", and "hit". The main stress is on the first syllable. This is one way of pronouncing the
word. Good-natured friendliness is usually referred to as "bonhomie". The word is usually
used in formal contexts.

*After winning the championship, the captain was full of bonhomie.

Courtesy: The Hindu.

Thought for the day: Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone -
Cyrus A. Bartol.

What is the meaning and origin of "face the music"?

When you decide to do something on your own and everything goes completely wrong, how
do people react? Usually they criticise you; sometimes, they even punish you. When you
"face the music", you accept the criticism or punishment that is in store for you. In other
words, you take responsibility for your mistakes.

*The partners ran away and poor Venu was left to face the music.

*Listen Meera, sooner or later you will have to face the music.

There are several explanations as to the origin of this idiom. According to some scholars, it
comes from a practice that was common in the British military. When an officer was court-
martialed, the charges against him were read out for all to hear. The man was made to
stand in front of the military band and while the charges were being read out, drummers
used to tap their drums. Since the prisoner was facing the band and the drums were being
played, he was literally "facing the music". This practice of tapping the drums while the
charges were read out gave rise to another expression as well — "drummed up charges".

Is it okay to say, "The convict would be hung tomorrow"?

No, it isn't. Careful users of the language would prefer the use of "hanged" rather than
"hung". The word "hung" is usually used with objects and not with human beings. Here are
a few examples.

*Sarita hung her new coat on the doorknob.

*The outlaw who had killed 12 people was hanged at noon.

Secondly, considering the example, we should say, "will be hanged" rather than "would be
hanged". The use of "would" suggests that the event may not take place. For example, if
you say, "I would help you", it implies that you want to help me, but for some reason you
are not in a position to. "I would help you if I could. But I can't". The use of "would"
suggests a condition. "I would marry you," for example, implies that you would consider
marrying the person if certain other conditions were met — perhaps if he/she had more
money, or had been more handsome/beautiful! These conditions are not going to be met;
therefore, you are not going to marry the person! Your sentence should be "The convict will
be hanged tomorrow."

Courtesy: The Hindu.

Thought for the day: The essential thing is not knowledge, but character-Joseph
Le Conte.

How is the word "boondoggle" pronounced?

The first syllable, which has the main stress, rhymes with "moon", "soon", and "noon"; the
second sounds like the word "dog". The final "e" is silent. This is an informal word mostly
used in American English. When you refer to an organisation as a "boondoggle" what you
mean is that it is a white elephant. It wastes a lot of public money and does not achieve
anything significant. "Boondoggle" is also used to refer to complicated official activities that
are a waste of time.

*The newspaper has brought to light another one of those government boondoggles.

What is the difference between "hoodwink into" and "hoodwink out of"?

When you hoodwink someone into doing something you trick him into doing it. For example,
salesmen often try to get you to buy things that you do not really need. They trick or
hoodwink you into buying things.

*My girlfriend hoodwinked me into cleaning her room.

When you "hoodwink" someone out of something, what you are doing is taking something
from him by tricking him. This is what some placement companies do. They promise that
they will find a job for you somewhere abroad. They proceed to take a lot of money from
you. When you give them the money, they run away with it. They hoodwink you out of your
money. We read about such things in newspapers every day.

*Virender tried to hoodwink the old lady out of her savings.

How is the word "suite" pronounced?

It is pronounced like the word "sweet". When you reserve a suite in a hotel, you get a set of
rooms — a bedroom, a sitting room and a bathroom. Many big hotels have a "Honeymoon
suite". The word "suite" can also be used with reference to furniture. It refers to matching
pieces of furniture.

Courtesy: The Hindu.

Thought for the day: A man who dares waste one hour of time has not discovered
the value of life - Charles Darwin.

Where did the word "hijack" come from?

Nowadays, this word is usually associated with airplanes. When you hijack a plane what you
are doing is taking control of it and forcing it to go to a destination of your choice. In the
process you make the passengers aboard the aircraft your hostage. It is not only planes
that you can hijack, but also other vehicles — cars, trucks, boats and ships. "Hijack" has
another meaning as well. It also means to steal goods from vehicles, especially from trucks.
Did you know that the original hijacker was someone who stole from other criminals? He
specialised in robbing bootleggers — people who sold illicit liquor. According to some
scholars, the "hijacker" got his name from the command he gave the people he was about
to rob. Apparently, he used to point his gun at his victim and say, "Stick them up high,
Jack." In other words, he wanted his victim to raise his hands above his head. Since "Jack"
is a very common name in the U.S., he called all his victims "Jack". From "high" and "Jack"
we get "hijack".

Which is correct? "I gave to nanny the keys" or "I gave the keys to nanny"?

The second sentence is correct. One usually gives something to someone.

*The new student gave a rose to John.

It is also possible to give someone something. In this case, "to" is not used. You do not
"give to someone".

*Please give the architect these diagrams.

What is the meaning of the expression "milk and water"?

The expression is mostly used in informal contexts in British English. When you refer to
someone's speech as being "milk and water", you mean it was very feeble or sentimental.

*I expected something great. The speech was nothing but milk and water.

Courtesy: The Hindu.

Thought for the day: To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first –
Shakespeare.

What is the difference between "ornamental'' and "ornate''?

When you say that something is "ornate" what you are implying is that the object has been
decorated excessively or elaborately. There is too much decoration and as a result it is
showy or gaudy; the word generally has a negative connotation. The main stress, by the
way, is on the second syllable "nate", which rhymes with "eight", "bait", and "hate". Here
are a few examples.

*I saw Alok carrying a heavy, ornate vase.

*The father disapproved of the ornate cigarette case.

The word "ornamental" also means decorative, but unlike "ornate" it isn't associated with
anything negative. When you say that something is "ornamental" what you are implying is
that the object has been designed to be decorative without being too vulgar or ostentatious.
The stress in this word is on the third syllable, "men". Here are a few examples.

*The rose plant in that corner is purely ornamental.

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”.

What is the meaning of “shell-shocked”?

This is probably how the people of Afghanistan felt a few years ago. The word ‘shell’ refers
to bombs. How would you feel if you lived in a city, which was being constantly bombed?
You would go through a lot of emotions — confusion, anger, etc. When you say that
someone is shell-shocked what you are implying is that the difficult experience, which the
individual has undergone recently has left him confused and anxious. Here are a few
examples.

*I think Aparna is a little shell-shocked after the final exam.

*Vinita felt shell-shocked after coping with the boisterous twins all day.

*The shell-shocked investors trooped in silently.

Thought for the day: Only through focus can you do world-class things, no matter
how capable you are - Bill Gates

What is the difference between lacto-vegetarian and lacto-ovo-vegetarian?

A `lacto-vegetarian' is someone who not only eats vegetables but also dairy products like
milk, cheese, butter, etc. He doesn't eat eggs and products made from eggs. A lacto-ovo-
vegetarian, on the other hand, is someone who takes both milk and egg products. By the
way, a person who eats only vegetables is called a "vegan".
Why is the "green room" called the green room?
The room where the actors and actresses rest during a play is usually referred to as the
green room. It is so called because the walls in this room were traditionally painted green.
People felt that `green' was a soothing colour for the eyes. Since actors were exposed to
harsh lights while on stage, they were provided something soothing to rest their eyes on.
Hence the room was painted green. Nowadays of course the green room doesn't necessarily
have to be painted green, but it still continues to be referred to as the "green room''.
Is it OK to say that something is "very unique"?
When you say that something is "unique" it implies that it is one of its kind. It is therefore
unnecessary for you to say that it is "very unique", or "quite unique". Grammarians frown
upon it, but it is common to hear people say "very/quite unique". Avoid it if you can.
*The patterns that you see are unique.
*As far as I am concerned his paintings are unique.
*It was a unique experience.
Courtesy: The Hindu.
Thought for the day: We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not
an act but a habit- Aristotle.

Which of the following sentences is correct? "Each of the children were given
chocolates" or "Each of the children was given chocolates".
In such sentences, according to the rules of English grammar "each" should be followed by
a singular verb. Therefore your second sentence "Each of the children was given chocolates"
will meet the approval of a grammarian. Here are a few examples.
*Each of the books was gift wrapped carefully.
*Each of the teachers wants to donate a hundred rupees.
Nowadays, there is a tendency, even among educated native speakers of English, to use a
plural verb instead of the singular one in such constructions. This is especially true in
speech. Here are a few examples.
*Each of his plays have been hits.
*Each of his ideas are clearly stated.
A grammarian would frown upon these sentences, but they are becoming common.
What the meaning of "smell a rat''?
This expression has more or less the same meaning as "smell something fishy''. When you
smell a rat, you suspect or realise that something is seriously wrong. Perhaps someone is
trying to deceive you or trying to harm you. This is an expression that is normally used in
informal contexts. Here are a few examples.
* If I don't return Amarnath's calls, he will smell a rat.
* I smelt a rat when Venkat started being helpful.
Courtesy: The Hindu.

Thought for the day: Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition
from mediocre minds -Albert Einstein

What is the meaning of "It isn't worth a hill of beans"?

When you say something "isn't worth a hill of beans", what you are implying is that it is
insignificant; it is worthless. This is an expression which is normally used in informal
contexts. Here are a few examples.
*Savitri's so called fortune isn't worth a hill of beans.
*The advice that you give others isn't worth a hill of beans if you yourself don't follow it.
*As far as my boss is concerned my ideas aren't worth a hill of beans.
What is the difference between "homicide" and "murder"?
"Homicide" is a word frequently used in American English. It refers to the killing of one
human being by another. The killing may be accidental or intentional; it may or may not be
done with criminal intent. If you shoot a man accidentally or in self-defense, it would be
considered "homicide"; similarly, if you run over an individual intentionally, it would be
considered "homicide". It is a neutral term. According to Black's Law Dictionary, the word
homicide merely "describes the act, it pronounces no judgment on the moral or legal
quality".
Murder, on the other hand, is an illegal act; it is usually a premeditated crime. When an
individual "murders" someone, he/she kills another human being after having planned what
he/she is going to do. The word "murder" has a negative connation associated with it. The
police force in the United States has a Homicide Department, but not a Murder Department.
The ''o'' in the first syllable of "homicide" is like the "o'' in "hot'', "pot'', and "not'', while the
"i'' in the second syllable is like the "a'' in "china''. The final syllable is pronounced like the
word "side''. The main stress is on the first syllable.
Is it OK to say "I am running forty"?
We Indians are always in a hurry. When we are on the road, we are in a rush to get
somewhere; sometimes totally ignoring all traffic rules. So it is not surprising that we are
always "running" some particular age. It is very common to hear an Indian say that he is
"running 40". I suppose when one is 39, one can run to 40. But when one is 79, does one
run/jog/canter/limp/crawl to 80? The expression "running 40" is common within the Indian
context. It is not used by the native speakers of English. Native speakers tend to use "going
on''. Remember the famous song from "Sound of Music''? ''I am sixteen going on
seventeen''. Is it wrong to say "running 40''? Within the Indian context it is acceptable.
Courtesy: The Hindu.
Thought for the day: You will get all you want in life if you help enough other
people get what they want – Zig Ziglar

Can the word "heart throb" be used with woman?

The dictionaries define a heart-throb as an actor or a singer who is very popular with
women. The word is generally not used with women. Brad Pitt, for example, is usually
referred to as a heart-throb. Actresses and female singers who are very popular with the
opposite sex are usually called "sweethearts". Julia Roberts, for example, is always referred
to as "America's sweetheart" by the popular media. The word "sweetheart" can be used with
men as well.
What is the study of flags called?
I understand that the academic study of flags is called "vexillology". The first syllable is like
the word "vex" while the "i" in the second syllable sounds like the "i" in "bit", "kit", and "sit".
Some people pronounce the first "lo" like the word "law", while the final "logy" sounds like
the "logy" in "psychology", "biology", and "zoology". The main stress is on the third syllable.
A person who designs flags is called "vexillographer"; the stress once again is on the third
syllable. And a person who collects flags is called "vexillophile". Dr. Whitney Smith coined
the word "vexillology".
What is the difference between "unaware" and "unawares"?
"Unaware" means not aware, in other words, you do not notice or realise what is happening.
The stress is on "ware". Here are a few examples.
* Praveen is unaware of the trouble that he is causing.
* The Minister thought that the press was unaware of his illegal activities.
When something happens suddenly or unexpectedly, then you are caught "unawares". Since
the thing happens without any warning, you are often left confused or embarrassed. Here
are a few examples.
* The President was caught unawares by the sudden criticism in the media.
Courtesy: The Hindu.
Thought for the day: A man's character may be learned from the adjectives which
he habitually uses in conversation- Mark Twain

Is it ok to say, "Tea isn't my cup of tea"?

I suppose you could get away with the sentence "Tea isn't my cup of tea" if you want to
sound humorous. When you say that something isn't your cup of tea what you are implying
is that it is not something you are interested in or like. Here are a few examples.
* Cricket isn't my cup of tea. I prefer tennis.
* Sushmita turned down an invitation to the opera. It's not her cup of tea.
* Purple isn't my cup of tea, but it is a nice saree.
The expression isn't normally used with food items.
What is the meaning of `da bomb'?
This is a slang expression of recent origin and is normally used to talk about a person or a
thing. When you refer to an individual as being `da bomb' or `the bomb' what you mean is
that he/she is outstanding. The expression is mostly used in American English.
*You should see the movie. I tell you, it is da bomb.
*You are taking a course with Jai? I am told when it comes to teaching, he is da bomb.
What is the difference between "jail" and "prison"?
You get sent to "jail" when you have committed a minor offense. A jail is also the place
where people are confined while they are awaiting trial. It can be a small room inside a
police station or it can be an independent building. A "prison", on the other hand, is a place
where people are sent once they have been sentenced by a judge. Someone who has
committed a major crime is usually sent to prison. In India, "jail" is the more common word.
What is the difference between "godown" and "warehouse"?
In terms of meaning there is no difference. Both refer to a large building where materials
can be stored. But if you were to ask a native speaker of English to come to your godown,
he might not understand you. Native speakers do not use the word "godown"; they prefer
"warehouse". The word "godown" is Indian in origin.
Courtesy: The Hindu

What is the difference between "life assurance" and "life insurance"?

There is no difference; some companies call themselves "life insurance" companies, while
others call themselves "life assurance" companies. They both do the same job. The term
"Assurance Company" is mostly used in countries where English is not spoken as the first
language — for example, in countries like Germany, Egypt, and the Philippines.
There is, however, a difference in meaning between "assurance" and "insurance". One
normally "assures" against something that will definitely happen — for example death. No
matter how important we are, none of us can escape death. It is inevitable. You usually
"insure" yourself against something that may or may not happen — for example, fire,
burglary and flood. Not all of us will have our house destroyed in a fire accident. But some
of us do buy "fire insurance" and "flood insurance".
What is the meaning of "monobrow"?
The next time you look at yourself in the mirror, take a good look at the eyebrows. If the
two join just above your nose, then you can say that you have a "monobrow". The word is
mostly used in informal contexts, and is not found in many dictionaries.
What is the meaning of "friendly fire"?
Thanks to the war that was going on in Iraq, we got to hear this expression very often on
CNN and BBC. This is an expression mainly used by the military. During the first week of the
war, we heard that several American soldiers had been killed in a "friendly fire". But when
someone dies in a friendly fire what it means is that they were accidentally killed by their
own troops! So when a British helicopter gets blown up by the Americans, the soldiers who
die are not killed by the enemies, but by friendly fire. But the result is the same — they die!
Why ships are called "she"?
There are several explanations for this. Some say during the early days of sailing every ship
was always dedicated to some goddess, and as a result the ship was referred to as "she".
Another theory is that the crew always thought the ship represented their mother and as a
result treated it with a great deal of respect. In most Romance languages the ship is always
referred to as "she" and it is quite possible that English sailors began to adopt this practice
as well.
Courtesy: The Hindu.

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".
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.
Is it correct to say “He has good command over English”?
Careful users of the language would frown on this. They would argue that one can have
command over people, but not over language. You can for example say:
He has total command over his men. They will do whatever he wants them to.
But when it comes to language, they would prefer “of” to “over”.
* We are looking for someone who has good command of English.
* I am told that Prakash has good command of French.
There is a tendency these days however, even among some native speakers, to say ``have
good command over English". The purists may not like this, but as the Americans would put
it, that's the way the cookie crumbles. To be on the safe side, avoid saying ``command
over 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.
Courtesy: The Hindu.
What is the difference between "robbery" and "burglary"?
When you are being robbed, you are usually aware of it. The person who is robbing you is
there standing in front of you and demanding that you hand over the money, jewellery, etc.
In the case of a robbery, there is always a threat of violence. You could end up getting hurt
or even killed! Here are a few examples.
*When Chaitra walked into the bank there was a robbery in progress.
In the case of a burglary, on the other hand, there is no threat of violence. A burglar is like
a thief. What does a thief do? He merely takes away something that belongs to you without
your being aware of it. You become aware of the fact that you have lost something much
later. A burglar enters your house illegally and takes away things that he is interested in. He
plans meticulously and takes care not to be seen by you. When he strikes, you may be fast
asleep, or you may not be at home.
*When the Jains were away for the weekend their house was burgled.
*There was a burglary in our neighbourhood yesterday.
What is the meaning of "fresh off the boat"?
This is an expression that began to be used in the United States when it had a lot of
immigrants arriving by ships in the early decades of the twentieth century. When you say
that someone is "fresh off the boat" what you are implying is that the individual is new to
the place. He is a newcomer and therefore can be cheated easily. Very often the expression
is reduced to F. O. B. The expression "just off the boat" means the same thing as "fresh off
the boat". Here are a few examples.
* I am not fresh off the boat, Rajeev. I know what you are trying to do.
What is the difference between "hospice" and "hospital"?
A "hospital" is a place where people go to get some medical treatment when they are sick or
injured. Most major cities have several hospitals. When you go to a hospital, you generally
hope to come back alive. When you go to a 'hospice', on the other hand, you go with no
such hope. One generally goes to a hospice knowing he/she is going to die.
A hospice is a special hospital where people who are terminally ill get admitted. These
people have no hope of being cured. So, unlike a hospital, a hospice not only takes care of
the medical needs of a patient, but also looks after his emotional needs. The focus here is
on keeping people as comfortable as possible — both physically and emotionally. By the
way, the final "pice" in 'hospice' rhymes with the words "miss" and "kiss". The final 'e' is
silent and the main stress is on the first syllable. Here are a few examples.
* The Minister said that the Government was thinking of opening a hospice for AIDS
patients.
* Hemant spent the last few months of his life in a hospice.
Courtesy: The Hindu.

What is the meaning and origin of “to draw first blood”?

When you "draw blood" you make your opponent bleed. Therefore, when you "draw first
blood", you hurt your opponent before he hurts you. In which sport does one aim to do this?
Boxing, of course! According to some scholars, the idiom "to draw first blood" comes from
the world of boxing. The expression is also used metaphorically to mean, "to score a victory
over someone". Here are a few examples.
* In the debate, it was the visitors who drew first blood.
* We were hoping to draw first blood. Unfortunately, we didn't.
The expression "draw blood" has another meaning as well. When you "draw blood" you
succeed in hurting someone's feelings. Here are a few examples.
* Sailaja's remarks were intended to draw blood.
What does “Rx” stand for in a doctor's prescription?
Many words commonly used in medicine come from Latin. The Rx is the abbreviation of
"recipo" meaning, "take". The doctor is giving you a recipe for your cure and he wants you
to take it! If you look at a doctor's prescription carefully, you will find that a line runs across
the foot of the letter R. This is actually the symbol of the Roman god of medicine, Jupiter.
All medicines come under his protection.
What is the meaning of the idiom “bone of contention”?
Which is the best cricket team in the world? Some people believe that it is India. Others are
of the opinion that it is Australia. When people belonging to these two groups get together,
they have big arguments, which very often lead to unpleasant situations. When you say that
something is the "bone of contention" what you mean is that it is a source of trouble; it
causes dissension. Individuals fight over something like several dogs fighting over a single
bone. Here are a few examples.
*The dam has always been a bone of contention between the two states.
*The main bone of contention was deciding which Minister would be garlanded first.
Courtesy: The Hindu.

What is the origin of the expression “French leave”?

This is another example of how much the English hated the French. We shouldn't be talking
about this now, considering the fact the two have joined forces along with the United States
to fight the Taliban. But historically the two nations couldn't stand each other. Even now it is
not uncommon for an Englishman to refer to a Frenchman as a "frog", because the French
consider frogs’ legs a delicacy.
When someone goes on "French leave", he or she takes off without informing the
authorities. According to the English, it was standard practice in France in the 18th Century
to leave a ball or dinner without thanking the host and hostess. People left without even
saying good-bye. The English felt that the French were people without manners. But what is
interesting is that, taking leave of someone in this manner is referred to as "English leave"
by the French! It is interesting to note that countries, which have such a low opinion of one
another, have come together to fight terrorism! May be they don't mind the war of words!
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''.
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!
What is the meaning of “feel good factor”?
This is an expression that has been around since the 1970s. At first it was generally used to
refer to something that creates a sense of well being in people — their emotional state,
physical state, financial state, etc. Since the 1990s, however, the "feel good factor" has
become somewhat restricted in its meaning; it's become an expression, which is mostly
employed by economists and financial pundits. These days it is extensively used to refer to
a sense of financial and material well being — not necessarily physical or emotional. Here
are a few examples.
* A well known economist believes that the feel good factor will not return to the country
before the end of the decade.
Courtesy: The Hindu.

What is the meaning of the idiom "to rob Peter to pay Paul"?
When you rob Peter to pay Paul what you are doing is taking money from one person in
order to pay another. You are not actually clearing your debts; all that you are doing is
paying off one person by borrowing from another. As a result, you still continue to be in
debt. Here are a few examples.
*Tara took a loan from the bank in order to clear her debts; robbing Peter to pay Paul.
*I am not going to ask my neighbor for some for money in order to pay you. It would be
like robbing Peter to pay Paul.
*Some people use one credit card to pay off the bills of another credit card. It's like robbing
Peter to pay Paul. I just don't understand it.
What is the origin of the word "villain"?
The word "villain" these days has a negative connotation. When it first began to be used, it
was a neutral term. A "villain" was actually a poor person who lived on a farm; he lived in a
"villa". When the word was borrowed into English as "villain" it was used to refer to any
lowborn rustic. The conditions in which these people lived were so bad that they often had
to resort to crime to make ends meet. As time went on anyone who lived in a "villa" was
viewed suspiciously, he was considered to be a criminal. Soon the word "villain" began to be
used with people with antisocial tendencies. It no longer mattered whether the individual
lived in a villa or not. The class distinction was lost.
What is the difference between "mentally retarded" and "mentally challenged"?
There is no difference. "Mentally challenged" is now considered the polite way of referring to
someone who has a mental disability. "Retarded" is considered offensive. Here are some
more politically correct terms that are often used these days. "Horizontally challenged" (fat
person), "vertically challenged" (short person), "aesthetically challenged" (ugly person),
"visually challenged" (needs glasses), and "physically challenged" (has a physical disability).
There are many more politically correct terms.

Courtesy: The Hindu.

What is the difference between a "lawyer" and an "attorney"?

People in general tend to use the two words interchangeably. But there is a difference
between the two. A "lawyer" is someone who knows the law and has been admitted to the
bar. He advises his clients about their legal rights and often pleads their cases in a court of
law. In the strictest sense an attorney need not be a lawyer; in other words, he need not be
someone who practices law. An "attorney" is someone empowered to act in a legal capacity
on someone's behalf. For example, when you give the power of attorney to someone, you
are authorizing the individual to act on your behalf. This individual need not be a lawyer; he
could be anyone - your brother, husband or friend. If you wish to use the word "attorney" to
mean "lawyer", then the correct term is "attorney at law". Remember the famous Perry
Mason? He was an "Attorney at law".
What is the meaning of “mouse journalism”?
The war in Iraq has given rise to a new sort of journalism — mouse journalism. This is a
term coined by Robert Fisk, a correspondent of the Independent. He said that the situation
in Iraq is so dangerous for journalists, that mouse journalism is the best way for
correspondents to stay alive. In this sort of journalism, the reporter goes to the scene of the
event, gathers news as quickly as possible (usually about ten minutes), and leaves before
"men with guns arrive."
Which is correct "My house is opposite to the railway station" or "My house is
opposite the railway station"?
You normally say that the house is opposite the railway station, and not `opposite to'. When
you use the word `opposite' in this manner, you are suggesting that there is something
separating the two objects. In this case, it could be that the railway station and your house
are separated by a road or a street. Opposite implies that the two buildings are on different
sides of the road/street. Similarly, when you say, "Divya's room is opposite Puja's", what
you are suggesting is that the two rooms are facing each other; there is a corridor between
them.
*The nearest supermarket is opposite the hospital.
*The people who live opposite Anand's house are slightly crazy.
What is the meaning and origin of "blockbuster"?
This is a word which is usually associated with a hit movie or a highly successful book. Here
are a few examples.
*Have you seen the latest blockbuster from Bollywood?
*They are predicting that his new book will be a blockbuster.
Originally 'blockbuster' had nothing to do with movies or books. Believe it or not, the word
was first used during World War II to refer to bombs. 'Blockbuster' was Air Force slang to
refer to large bombs weighing as much as 8000 pounds. These bombs were so powerful that
they were capable of destroying an entire city block. Hence, "blockbuster". Once the war
ended, the people in advertising popularized the word.
Courtesy: The Hindu.

Towards Better English - LVIII

• The verb ‘does’ when used with various pronouns –

 Often, we come across people who confuse their ‘I do’s and ‘He does’es… This leads
to people saying things like ‘I does not know’ and ‘he do not remember’. This, in
case you did not know, is incorrect English. It is always as follows –

They/We + do – Rule: Plural + DO

He/She/It + does – Rule: Singular pronoun + DOES
I/You + do – Rule: ‘I’ and ‘You’ are always treated specially. Hence, it is a DO.

• Introduction of the self –

Sometimes, while introducing ourselves, we do it this way – “Myself, Vijay. This…” To

cut a long story short, this way of doing this is incorrect. As I have covered the ‘I,
Me, Myself’ case elsewhere in a posting that would appear soon, I am not delving too
deep into it right now; but it would only be a self-centred, egoistic, pompous boast
who would love to use this way of introduction. The right way to introduce the self
would be to just say, “I am Vijay, and this is…” I just do not know where the ‘myself’
came from, but I guess this is a literal translation from how it happens in Indian
languages where the ‘me’ gets to be translated to ‘myself’.

• Our first international contributor, Greg Young, writes from Australia about a few
things he finds peculiar to Indian English. He says he frequently gets emails from
people saying something like “request you to do the needful,” and he suggests that it
is a phrase that does not “translate well into usage in other countries”. He says that
an Australian, amidst many others – some of them Indian too – would find it pretty
brusque and officious (Now, look up the dictionary what these terms mean!) when
someone sends a note with a “request you to…” in it. “It is almost like you are giving
orders, not asking for something!” he notes. The better way to do it would be to
send a more polite, “Could you please…?” note instead.

• Continuing with the same thread as above, Greg finds ‘Do the needful’ a pretty
meaningless term, leaving to the recipients to decide what they need to do! The
recipient’s idea of ‘the needful’ could differ from the sender’s, and the recipient might
decide to do nothing at all! Greg says it is always better to be specific when asking
for something. So, he says, instead of saying something like, “Somu will meet you at
the airport tomorrow. Please do the needful,” it is better to say, “Somu will meet you
at the airport tomorrow. Could you please send the card back through him?”

• Victorian English refuses to leave us!

We still continue to use pompous Victorian Era English as our ancestors used in the
Raj era! Consider this case – “I am in receipt of your mail dated 23rd of August, and
 at the moment I am going through the same.” Why use such tactics to touch the
nose around our head when a simpler way of saying it would be something like this –
“I received your mail, sent on 23rd August, and I am going through it at the
moment”? Even better would be to say – “I am reading your mail dated 23rd
August”! The rule is simple: when it could be covered in one line, why make it two?

Have a great weekend!

To Continue…
Towards Better English - XVI
Hi All,

• Often, we make the mistake of saying ‘return back’, ‘revert back’, ‘reply back’ and so
on. These are incorrect usage of the language. ‘Return’ on its own means ‘doing
something back’. Just like ‘called as’ is incorrect, so is ‘returning something back’.
So, the next time you say, “Return back my charger”, understand that you are
saying, “give me back back my charger”. One of the most (ab)used terms is ‘revert
back for any clarifications/with any comments’, usually used in emails. Since ‘revert’
already stands for ‘get back’, a ‘back’ after ‘revert’ is redundant.

• Recently, I came across a website where the following words (not verbatim, though)
were written – ‘This has become a place where fun, joy and smiles have become
anonymous with this event’. The person was obviously looking to mean ‘one and the
same’. In the purpose, he/she fumbled up on the right word, and ended up using a
word that was actually conveying the incorrect, and contrasting, meaning. The right
write-up should have used ‘synonymous’ instead of ‘anonymous’. The point I would
like to highlight is this – when you use a word, be sure what context you are using it
in, and also be sure you have the right word. If in doubt, you are probably right
about the doubt. Hence, use a simpler alternative word. You lose much more
flaunting your vocabulary at the wrong time than what you gain using high-sounding
words at the right time. It is better to use simple words all the time, unless of course
if you’re writing a GMAT Reading Comprehension Essay!

•The phrase ‘tell me about it’ in English is actually a sarcastic remark. So, when you
say something to a friend, and he/she says, “Yeah? Tell me about it.”, please do not
plunge into an excited discussion on what had happened. It actually is a sarcastic
remark, and the person is not showing any genuine interest. In fact, he/she is
piqued about it. This often happens in the case of free and unsolicited advice.

•I guess I have already had this included in an earlier session, but I thought I could
use it again… The term ‘discuss about’ is wrong English. You do not ‘discuss about’
something, but you just ‘discuss’ something.

Hi All,
 • A number of people have been getting back to me with the fact that ‘stupid’ is
actually a noun as well. This is from my previous post that said that you should not
call a person ‘a stupid’. Well, you could use ‘stupid’ as a noun as well, but that is
more colloquial and a slang, as in, “It’s the economy, stupid”. In this case, it is
actually, “It’s the economy, you stupid person”, where ‘stupid’ has actually been
used instead of ‘stupid person’. Thus, I would still insist that you should not call a
person ‘a stupid’…

• Manju says that it would make sense pointing to people the difference between
‘complimentary’ and ‘complementary’. Well, ‘complimentary’ is something that is
given as a gift, a compliment. ‘Complementary’ is something that strives to act as a
complement. Well, I know I have not said much with this yet. A ‘complement’ is
something that adds on with something else to either promote it, or to complete it,
thereby offsetting mutual lacks. For example, when we say that the tennis pair of
Leander Paes and Navratilova ‘complement’ each other, it makes one (either
Navratilova or Paes) act as a good foil for the other and hence they are able to work
fine and become a complete winning unit. For more clarifications, please mail in.

• Rajesh has a point – when we say ‘Hello All’, is it actually correct? Should it not be
‘Hello all’? Well, I do not know! I’ve used the capitalised ‘A’ in ‘All’ just because I
treated it as a proper noun in the place of some name. I know it is a lame reason
and does not hold much water. If anyone has any idea on this, you could share it
with us. Someone else had a different point, and you guessed it right! Is it correct to
say ‘Thanks and Regards’ while closing a mail. He asked, “Should it not be ‘Thanks
and regards’ if at all that phrase is accepted?” Again, I do not know. With email
being as informal as it is where we have removed arcane practices and subservient
closing lines (like, ‘Forever yours, I remain’), anything gets accepted, I guess. But
then, I am using more of just ‘Regards’ on my mails these days!

Hello Again,

• Someone here had wanted to find the usage of ‘Hey’ – if it was correct. Well, it is
correct, depending on where you use it! ‘Hey’ is an informal means of hailing (in
other words, addressing, greeting, calling) a person. So, while ‘hey’ would not
warrant an entry in your covering letters to the Oxford University Press, or to the
President of India, it is not blasphemy addressing me or your friends thus.

• Suchithra points to the common mix-up of tenses when using ‘did’ and ‘does’. For
instance, she points an example that is fairly commonplace – ‘How did it happened?’
and ‘Does she knows about it?’. Well, in the first case, ‘did’ has already conveyed the
fact that the incident happened in the past. So, ‘happen’ should not be in the past
tense. So, when a sentence has the word ‘did’ in it, the main verb should not be an
explicit past tense. In the second case, ‘does’ carries the singular/plural context with
it, and hence the onus is not on the verb ‘know’. Thus, ‘she does know’, apart from
giving a stress on the fact that the matter is known to the lady, also is the same as
‘she knows’.

• There are cases where we just add an ‘ed’ to the end of a word and think it makes a
past tense. Examples for this include ‘rewinded’, ‘binded’, ‘switch off’ed, ‘finish off’ed,
‘carry forward’ed, etc. Well, if only English was that simple! In the case of the first
two examples, ‘rewind’ has a specific past-tense form – ‘rewound’, and so does
 ‘bind’ – ‘bound’. In the case of ‘switch off’, and the others, you have to realise that
‘switch off’ is not a single word, but a collection of words. Select the verb in the
collection of words, and add the past tense to the verb alone, and not to the whole
idiom. So, ‘switch off’ in past tense becomes ‘switched off’, ‘carry forward’ is ‘carried
forward’ and so on.

• Hareesh wants to know the difference in the usage and meanings of the words
‘whereby’, ‘whereon’ and ‘wherein’. ‘whereby’ means ‘by means of which’. For
example, ‘Towards Better English is a series, whereby I hope to point out common
mistakes people make in the English language’. ‘whereon’ means ‘on top of which’;
for example, ‘The dome is crowned by a mast whereon the Tricolour flutters proudly’.
Finally, ‘wherein’ means quite a few things – a) in regard to which (Example - "a
case wherein he took an active part"); b) in the course or during which (Example - "a
period wherein he did not work"); c) in which; where (Example - "the particular state
wherein you reside"); d) in what (Example - "wherein consists this matter?")
(Courtesy – Dictionary.com)