Apprise or appraise: use the right word
Working through a government document recently, I noticed the use of the word ‘appraise’. It was used incorrectly, and the writer intended the meaning of the word apprise. Unfortunately I…
So, what’s a lexophile?
Two problems here: 1. This statement is not original; 2. It simply does not make sense and would work better if they ‘got too small for their pants’, having them fall right off. If they are “too big for their pants their bellies (boeps) can be covered by a long shirt so no exposure necessary.
words on a page
10 things I bet you didn’t know about the English language
English is arguably the most confusing language in the world. That’s why we love it (perhaps I speak for myself – that’s why I have a language blog.) Nonetheless, I’m…
Pic by Johan Pettrich, unsplash
Can you count to 10? – idiom
Can you count to 10? Good then you can help with the untelling of the decuplets saga. In the Financial Mail today, a staff writer says Iqual Survé, the owner of the newspaper, that shared the story, would reveal all.
Mask wearing is what we see to avoid a Covid infection
Don’t let Covid kill! (your sense of humour)
With Covid infection numbers showing no signs of decline and the heartfelt losses that many of us have suffered, you may find that your mental agility is severely challenged. This…
My top 10 in how to use capital letters
There’s nothing worse than being tripped up by capital letters. This means having to wade through a long piece of text crippled by incorrectly used capital letters, and not knowing…
A stonking good word
Every now and then, a word comes a long that makes me prick up my ears and say, 'that's a good one'. Stonking is such a word. There’s so much…
Imagine money on the laundry line
A new take on money laundering
Last week while editing an academic text, my hawkish eyes fell upon the phrase money laundry. The esteemed professor had made a typographical error. I smiled quietly to myself as…
Smoking gun as only evidence of crime
Is there a smoking gun in the Zondo Commission? idiom origin
While the Zondo Commission takes a deep dive into state capture, many South Africans may hope it finds the "smoking gun". And if you are South African you will know…
Are these your monkeys?
Not my circus, not my monkeys. Idiom usage
Not my circus. Not my monkeys. I did a double take. I was having coffee with my Irish friend Paul and he was throwing this phrase around throughout our conversation.…
