Ready for battle
Helen of Troy: More than just a pretty face
Today, the expression is still widely used, often humorously or hyperbolically, to describe someone exceptionally attractive or charismatic.
How to alternate the alternative: word usage
In practice, the rule is simple enough to remember: if you’re talking about switching back and forth, use “alternate.” If you’re talking about choosing between options, use “alternative.
Schmoozing for Business: Yiddish influence
Schmooze has found its way into the English language along with other Yiddish phrases that add richness to expressions. Yiddish phrases are colourful and descript, hard to match in other languages.
‘Répondez s’il vous plaît’: French influence on English
Most people who use RSVP today don’t speak French, many not realising it’s French at all allowing it to blend into the language. The letters have effectively become a universal shorthand for, ‘Let us know if you’re coming.’
I was just six years old: The die was cast: idiom origin and usage
Today, we use the idiom for any moment of irreversible action. You resign from a stable job to start your own business. You press “send” on an email that might change everything. You sign the contract, make the announcement, book the one-way ticket, say "I do". The die is cast.
A Red Letter Day is cause for celebration: idiom
Idiomatic use is everywhere, even in the lyrics of famous rock groups, especially Queen and the like. Many of the lyrics cite idioms, also noted is another one bites the dust. Blog discusses idiom usage.
Platitudes and punchlines: the writer’s tightrope
Both clichés and idioms reflect the human desire for expression that is concise yet evocative. They help us communicate complex ideas quickly and paint mental images without lengthy explanations. They also connect us to generations past, carrying the wisdom, humour, and creativity of countless speakers before us.
Ferment and foment confuse the best of us: word usage
Foment means "to incite or rouse." The words have some overlap in use, as they can both be used to express agitation and situations that can cause change or unrest.’
The scary truth about “Would They Love A Lion?”
I am seldom stirred by stories, be they children’s, Essop’s or fireside tales. But yesterday I was more than a little disturbed while reading a book with the title, “Would…
What’s in a name? Inventors credit their work
From brushes to magnets and this is where we find Madame Magnolia Attraction. Magnolia became enamoured with magnets and their captivating forces. Her groundbreaking research paved the way for countless applications, from MRI machines to magnetic levitation trains.
