Embracing Success
Low voltage is a common problem in India — especially during the summer months. When this happens, the tube lights keep flickering, and some of the other bulbs burn rather dimly. The Americans have a term for this dip in voltage — they call it ‘brownout’. Arun never uses any of his electrical appliances during …
How is the word ‘dotard’ pronounced? When Kim Jong-Un took a jab at Donald Trump by calling him a ‘dotard’, people made a beeline for the dictionary. For several hours, it was the most referred to word in most online dictionaries. The first syllable ‘dot’ rhymes with ‘boat’, ‘coat’ and ‘goat’, and the final ‘ar’ …
Continue reading "Mind Boggling English, “Start From Scratch”"
“The writer has nice things to say about your company’s cultural programme.” “That’s to be expected, I guess. He was our former employee.” “Really? He says there was pin drop silence when the CEO’s wife sang. Is that true?” “Of course, not! People were chatting away. By the way, the expression ‘pin drop silence’ is …
Scholars believe that the expression is based on a true incident. A British officer captured an American hunter who had just shot a crow. In order to humiliate him, the Englishman ordered the American to eat a small portion of the bird. The officer then returned the gun and the bird to the hunter and …
People who have read the comic books or watched the movies featuring the exploits of Superman know that he was born on Krypton. When the planet exploded, kryptonite or the radioactive material from it, was hurled into space. Superman’s enemies discovered that kryptonite was the only thing that could be used to either hurt or …
May and might have the same meaning when used as a modal (or helping verb.) Examples: She may go shopping. She might go shopping. The only difference is may is slightly more formal to some people. Many people use might more often in speaking and may more often in writing. But they can change depending on the person and their mood. Remember, though, may is also used …
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“You look extremely tired and grumpy. Why don’t you take a few days off?” “No chance! My boss won’t grant me leave even if I ask for it. She’s upset because two people on her team have taken French leave. They’ve been...” “French leave? Really? Have they gone to France on holiday? Why didn’t you...” …
Continue reading "What is a FRENCH LEAVE ? Is it same as ENGLISH LEAVE ?"
This is an expression frequently used in American English in informal contexts. When you throw your friend under the bus, you betray him; in order to save yourself from the trouble you are in, you sacrifice him. Be careful. Rajiv will throw you under the bus when you stop being useful to him. The media …
Referenda & Referendums Definition: a public vote on a particular issue Latin has given English a sizable portion of its vocabulary, and one of the reasons that so many of our words are descended from that language is that they have entered our tongue at a number of distinct points. Some, such as butter, date back …