“You’re late again! What’s the excuse this time?”

“I’m sorry, but I got ...”

“You could have at least given me a buzz. I’ve been waiting for...”

“Given you a buzz? What are you talking about?”

“When you give someone a buzz, you give them a call. A telephone call.”

“I see. I buzzed you several times yesterday.”

“Yes, but why didn’t you buzz me today to let me know you’d be late?”

“The reason I didn’t buzz you is because I got a buzz from Sujatha. She and Ramesh had another one of their fights.”

“Are you sure? I was told that they smoked the peace pipe a couple of ...”

“Smoked? Peace pipe? What are you talking about? You know that Sujatha doesn’t smoke.”

“I know that! When two people who don’t see eye to eye about something, smoke a peace pipe, they decide to put their differences aside. They decide to stop fighting.”

“I see. So when you smoke the peace pipe, you are calling for peace. You want to put a stop to all the fighting.”

“I guess you could say that. Bharath is refusing to smoke the peace pipe with that arrogant cousin of his.”

“How about this example? We don’t wish to smoke the peace pipe with the management.”

“Sounds good. Tell me, how did...”

“You tell me. Where does the expression come from?”

“I understand it is mostly used in American English. When American Indians wanted to...”

“You mean Native Americans, don’t you?”

“That’s right! American Indians, or ‘Native Americans’ as they are called now, used to settle their dispute by burying their weapons: their axes and knives. Once this was done, the two warring parties used to sit together and smoke from a long decorated pipe.”

“I suppose this was the peace pipe.”

“That’s right! Why were Ramesh and Sujatha fighting?”

“I’m not really sure. Have the feeling that Sujatha thinks that Ramesh is trying to imitate his brother. You know, he always...”

“Is Ramesh trying to imitate or emulate his brother?”

“Is there a difference between the two words?”

“There most certainly is. When you try to emulate someone, you try to be as successful as him. You are copying the individual because you admire him.”

“I see. In other words, emulate is always used in a positive sense.”

“Exactly! You wish to be as good, if not better than the person you are trying to copy. For example, some of the kids I know wish to emulate Roger Federer.”

“What does imitate mean?”

“When you imitate someone, you are merely copying what he/she does. You are merely aping the individual. Very often you do this in order to have fun.”

“I see. So, when you imitate someone, you don’t necessarily do it because you admire the individual.”

“That’s right. Very often students imitate their teachers or principal.”

“And some of them do an excellent job. Do you think there’s someone out there who is trying to emulate you?”

“You never know. There are a lot of crazy people around!”


“The simple truth is balding African-American men look cool when they shave their heads, whereas balding white men look like giant thumbs.” — Dave Barry



S. UPENDRAN

1. What is a female mouse called?
(T. Anand, Madurai)

Do you remember the opening lines of the song ‘Doe a deer’ from the movie ‘Sound of Music’? It goes ‘Doe a deer, a female deer’. Believe it or not, you can also sing the song by replacing the word ‘deer’ with ‘mouse’, and you would not be wrong: ‘Doe a mouse, a female mouse.’

A female mouse, I understand, is called a ‘doe’ and the male is called a ‘buck’. A baby mouse can be called a ‘kitten’ (sounds odd, doesn’t it?), ‘pinkie’ or ‘pup’!


2. Why is the word ‘I’ always capitalised?
(Satya, Hyderabad)

I understand that English is the only language where the pronoun ‘I’ is always written in the upper case; in most other languages spoken in Europe, it is written in the lower case. I guess this goes to show that the English have a big ego! Just kidding! The only explanation that scholars have for this is that when the Old English ‘ich’, meaning ‘I’, was reduced to ‘i’, it was thought to be too small to be considered a real word. Also, printers and scribes were worried that ‘i’, when written separately, would get attached to the word before or after it. Since they didn’t want this to happen, they began to capitalise the word.


3. What is the meaning and origin of ‘chink in the armour’?
(Aswin, Chennai)

This is an expression that has been part of the English language for over 600 years. When you say that someone has a chink in his armour, what you mean is that the person has a minor fault which is likely to cause him problems. In other words, the person has a flaw which can be taken advantage of by other people. The expression can be used with things as well.

*The up and coming star spent hours looking for a chink in the champion’s armour.


The word ‘chink’ has nothing to do with a ‘Chinaman’. This ‘chink’ is a rather obscure word meaning ‘slit’ or ‘narrow opening’. In the old days, as a form of protection, soldiers used to wear armour. If the armour had a slit, then it became a weak spot, which enemies took advantage of.


4. What is the meaning of ‘statuesque’?
(M. Govardhan, Hyderabad)

First, let’s deal with the pronunciation of the word. The ‘a’ is like the ‘a’ in ‘cat’ and ‘bat’, while the following ‘t’ is like the ‘ch’ in ‘chat’ and ‘chap’. The ‘u’ sounds like the ‘u’ in ‘put’ and ‘pull’, and the final ‘esque’ is like the ‘esk’ in ‘desk’. The word is pronounced ‘sta-chu-esk’ with the stress on the final syllable ‘esk’.

This is a word which is generally used to show approval. When you say that something is statuesque, what you mean is that it is well proportioned like a statue.

The word is also used to refer to women. When you refer to a woman as being ‘statuesque’, what you mean is that she is attractively tall, graceful, and dignified.

*At the press conference, the statuesque actress said she was planning on quitting films.


5. In 8 A.M, what does ‘A.M’ stand for?
(B. M. Bajaj, Gurgaon)

It stands for ‘ante meridiem’ meaning ‘before noon’. Please note that it is ‘ante’ and not ‘anti’. ‘P.M’, on the other hand, stands for ‘post meridiem’, meaning ‘post noon’. This explains why midnight is written as 12 A.M.


“Good advice is something that a man gives when he is too old to set a bad example.” — Francois de la Rochefoucauld



S. UPENDRAN

__________________
Regards,
P.R.

1. What is the meaning of ‘PowerPoint singalong’?
(B. Revathi, Chennai)

Nowadays, whenever someone gives a talk or makes a presentation, it is usually accompanied by PowerPoint slides. It is something that the audience expects; a presentation is incomplete without one. These slides which the speaker shows often contain the main points that he is trying to make.

There are occasions, however, when the speaker includes in his slides everything that he is going to say. As a result, during the presentation, all he does is merely read from the slides; he doesn’t add anything new.

Such a presentation where the speaker reads verbatim from the slides without providing any comment is called ‘PowerPoint singalong’.

The presentation was nothing more than a PowerPoint singalong.


2. How is the word ‘flummox’ pronounced?
(Mathangi Ganeson, Madurai)

The first syllable rhymes with the words ‘plum’, ‘glum’, and ‘slum’; the ‘o’ in the second syllable sounds like the ‘a’ in ‘china’. The final ‘x’ is like the ‘cks’ in ‘sucks’, ‘bucks’, and ‘ducks’. The word is pronounced ‘flumex” with the stress on the first syllable.

This is a word that is mostly used in informal contexts. When you are flummoxed by something, you are bewildered or confused by it. In fact, you are so confused you don’t know what to do.

As expected, the Minister was flummoxed by the questions posed by the reporters.


3. What is the meaning of ‘risqué’? How is the word pronounced?
(K. Jayanth, Hyderabad)

There are different ways of pronouncing this word of French origin. Some people pronounce the ‘i’ in the first syllable like the ‘ea’ in ‘seat’, ‘beat’, and ‘meat’, and the ‘que’ in the second like the name ‘Kay’. They pronounce the word ‘rees-kay’ with the stress on the first syllable. Americans, I understand, tend to pronounce the ‘i’ in the first syllable like the ‘i’ in ‘hit’, ‘bit’, and ‘kit. They pronounce the word ‘ris-kay’, with the stress on the second syllable.

When you refer to a joke or a story as being ‘risqué’, what you mean is that it is slightly off colour, and therefore, indecent. It is bordering on impropriety. The word comes from the French ‘risqué’ meaning ‘risk’.

Raju, please remember this. No risqué jokes at the party.

The new director wanted his young actress to wear risqué clothes.


4. What is the meaning of ‘percolate’?
(A. Raja Raman, Palladam)

This is a word which is normally associated with coffee in India! When a liquid percolates, it passes slowly through a substance. In the case of coffee, boiling water percolates through ground coffee beans.

The word has a figurative meaning as well. When something like an idea or a rumour percolates, it begins to grow or spread slowly.

Rumours of their romance have begun to percolate through the office.

Light percolates through those windows early in the morning.

The ‘o’ in the second syllable sounds like the ‘a’ in ‘china’. The word is pronounced ‘per-ke-late’ with the stress on the first syllable.


“He’s turned his life around. He used to be depressed and miserable. Now he is miserable and depressed.” David Frost



S. UPENDRAN

__________________
Regards,
P.R.

1. What is the meaning and origin of `eyewash'?
(R. Yogesh, Bangalore)

This is an expression that is mostly used in informal contexts. An `eyewash', as you know, is a liquid that is used to clean the eyes. Figuratively, however, this expression of American origin is frequently used to mean `nonsense' or `deception'. You may think that what I'm telling you is all eyewash. But it's the truth. The conclusion arrived at by the so called fact finding committee was just eyewash.


2. What is the meaning of `rap on the knuckles'?
(B. Venkatesh, Chennai)

The word `rap' means to hit sharply, and `knuckles' refer to the joints in one's hands and fingers. Therefore, when you rap someone on his knuckles, what you are doing is hitting the person sharply on the back of his hand. Many teachers in our country rap the students on their knuckles. The idiom means to speak to someone angrily because he has done something wrong or has failed to do something. The punishment that is given is not very severe; it is usually given to an individual to serve as a warning.

I got a sharp rap on the knuckles for not finishing the project on time.

The coach rapped the players on the knuckles for turning up late for practice.


3. Is it okay to say, `He turns to 60 years next week'?
(S. Venkatasubrahmanian, Chennai)

No, it isn't. You usually `turn to someone'. For example, `Chandrika turned to Roy for help.' As far as age in concerned, you `turn 60' and not `turn to 60 '. In the sentence that you've given, you'll be better off saying, `He turns 60 next week.'


4. What is the difference between `reputed' and `reputable'?
(G. Anand, Pune)

We Indians don't really make a distinction between these two words. We tend to use the word `reputed' when what we mean is `reputable'. Many people mistakenly refer to all the top companies in the country as `reputed firms' - when what they mean is `reputable firms'. When you say that a firm is `reputable', what you mean is that it has a good reputation, and therefore can be trusted. It is a dependable firm, one that is capable of providing excellent service. In this case, you are sure of the facts. It is not based on hearsay.

Hema is looking for a job with a reputable firm.

When you say that a firm is `reputed', what you mean is that you have heard other people saying that it is a good firm. You yourself are not very sure if it is a good company or not. In this case, there is an element of doubt as to whether it is or not.

The company hired him because of his reputed skill as a trouble shooter.


5. What does `sotto voce' mean?
(Pradeep Kumar, Allahabad)

First, let's deal with the pronunciation. The first `o' in `sotto' sounds like the `o' in `hot', `pot', and `got'. The second `o' and the `o' in `voce' sound like the `o' in `go', `no', and `so'; the `c' is like the `ch' in `chick', `chips', and `chin'. The `e' is like the `i' in `bit', `kit', and `sit', and the main stress is on the first syllable of `voce'. The Italian expression is pronounced `so-toe voechi'. `Sotto' means `under' and `voce' means `voice'; when you say something `sotto voce', you say it under your breath or as an aside.

* * *

"I was always taught to respect my elders, and I've now reached the age when I don't have anyone to respect." George Burns



S. UPENDRAN

__________________
Regards,
P.R.

1. What is the meaning and origin of ‘one swallow does not make a summer’?
(T. Janaki, Madurai)

This is an expression that is normally used to caution someone. When you say that one swallow does not make a summer, what you mean is that just because something good has happened, it doesn’t mean good things will continue to happen. Chances are things may go bad, instead of improving. You are requesting the individual to err on the side of caution, and not to get carried away.

Just because you’ve won the first round doesn’t mean you’re going to win the championship. Remember, one swallow does not make a summer.

The expression comes from the world of Aesop’s Fairy Tales. In the story, a young man sees a swallow on a warm winter day. As you know, a swallow is a bird which usually appears during spring. Thinking that the winter season is over, the young man sells off his woollen coat, and with the money he has made, he goes to the bar and drinks. Unfortunately, in the days that follow, the temperature drops. The young man, shivering in the cold, realises that one swallow does not make a summer.


2. What is the meaning of ‘thumb lashing’?
(B. Pandurangam, Chennai)

We all know what ‘tongue lashing’ means. It is when someone scolds or criticises us for something we have done or not done. We have all been subjected to a tongue lashing from our parents and friends. Tongue lashing has been going on for ages. ‘Thumb lashing’, on the other hand, is something new. Nowadays, thanks to the mobile phone, we are available to people 24/7. If a person is angry with you, he doesn’t have to actually see you or talk to you to give you a piece of his mind. He can send an angry SMS; this angry message that you get on the cell phone is called ‘thumb lashing’. All that the person makes use of to send you the message is his thumb!

*I got a thumb lashing from my friend for forgetting his birthday.

The introduction of the cell phone has resulted in the coining of new words and expressions. One of them happens to be ‘thumb me’. When you ask someone to thumb you, you are requesting him/her to send you an SMS. You don’t want the person to ‘call’ you, but ‘thumb’ you!

*If you manage to get the tickets, thumb me.


3. What is the difference between ‘peruse’ and ‘browse’?
(L. Kailash, Trichy)

‘Browsing’ is something that we normally do when we are in a bookshop. Before we decide what to buy, we invariably take a look at the books and magazines available. Sometimes we read the blurbs, at other times, we sample a paragraph or two in order to decide whether the book is worth buying. When you browse through a book or magazine, you look at it in a very casual way; you do not read it carefully.

*He was browsing through the sports section when the phone rang.

*Could you browse through the first draft and give us some feedback?

‘Perusing’, unlike ‘browsing’, suggests very careful reading. When you peruse a document, you go through it very carefully. You examine the document in detail; you read each and every word.

*The CEO perused the ten page document before signing it.

“Calamities are of two kinds: misfortunes to ourselves, and good fortune to others.” — Ambrose Bierce




S. UPENDRAN

__________________
Regards,
P.R.

1. What is the meaning and origin of `beat around the bush'?
(C.S. Shivaram, Tenali)

Sometimes when someone asks us a question, we try and avoid answering it. It's not because we don't know the answer; the answer is rather embarrassing. Therefore, instead of giving the person a direct answer, we go about answering his question in a roundabout way. This indirect way of answering questions is called `beating about/around the bush'. Very often, people beat about the bush in order to conceal their real intention.

*For god's sake, stop beating about/around the bush. How much is it going to cost?

*Will you please stop beating around/about the bush? Just answer my question.

The expression comes from the rather cruel sport of `batfowling'. In this sport, people (`batfowlers') entered the forest during the night and proceeded to kill `fowls' (birds) with the `bats' or clubs they were carrying. The batfowlers and the servants that they took with them used to scare birds by beating around the bush in which they were sleeping. The sleepy birds, dazed and confused by the sudden commotion, would then fly directly to the bright lights that the men were carrying. Here they were beaten to death. The men who were beating about the bush were not really interested in the bush; they were interested in the birds that were sleeping there. Therefore, when someone beats around the bush, he is concealing the thing that he is interested in; he doesn't come to the point directly.


2. I have heard people say, `I usually visit my friends at weekends'. Shouldn't it be `on weekends'?
(N. Raghavan, Secunderabad)

Both `on weekends' and `at weekends' are correct. I understand `at weekends' is much more common in British English. `On weekends', on the other hand, is frequently used in American English.

*My friend Gopa usually gets up late on/at weekends.


3. What is the difference between `bail' and `parole'?
(J. Bharath, Thanjavur)

Bail is the amount of money that an individual who has been accused of a crime pays the court in order to be released till his trial begins. It is given to people who have been arrested, but whose case hasn't come to court as yet. The individual asking for bail is usually made to pay a hefty sum by the judge; this amount is put forward as a guarantee that the accused will be present at his trial. Not everyone who asks for bail gets it; it is the judge who determines whether someone should be `released' or `remanded' on bail.

*The judge, as expected, refused to grant bail to the Minister.

Prisoners are sometimes released on parole. In this case, unlike the person making `bail', the person has stood trial, has been found guilty, and has been sentenced by the judge. When a prisoner is released on parole, he is set free before he has completed his sentence. Once released, he must behave well and must not get into trouble. If he does get into trouble, he may be sent back to prison. In the case of parole, the individual doesn't pay the court any money.

*The government has been accused of releasing murderers and rapists on parole.

* * *

"Television is a device that permits people who haven't anything to do to watch people who can't do anything." - Fred Allen


S. UPENDRAN


upendrankye@gmail.com

__________________
Regards,
P.R.

Know Your English

"What a surprise! You're actually listening to old Hindi songs. What..."

"The songs on this CD are very slow. They make me feel depressed."

"Here, let me play you something peppy."

"Peppy? What are you talking about? What does it mean?"

"What do you think it means?"

"I said the songs were pretty depressing, and you said that you would play something peppy. Does `peppy' mean `lively'?"

"Wonderful! That's exactly what it means. When you describe a song as being peppy, what you mean is that it has a lively beat. It makes you feel energetic."

"I see. Can the word be used with people as well?"

"It certainly can. A person who is `peppy' is lively and full of energy. For example, this year we should invite someone who is peppy."

"The word peppy, by the way, is mostly used in informal contexts. Now then, do you want to listen to some peppy Hindi songs?"

"Later. Right now, I'd like you to tell me..."

"Maybe I should use some strong-arm tactics to get you to listen."

"Strong-arm tactics?"

"When you resort to strong arm-tactics, you force someone into doing something."

"How? Do you threaten the person?"

"That's one way of doing it."

"Listen, if you want to reclaim your property, you'll have to resort to strong-arm tactics."

"According to this article, the Chief Minister has been resorting to strong-arm methods."

"That's to be expected, isn't it? Now then, how about..."

"Now then, do I have to use strong-arm methods to get you to listen to some peppy songs?"

"I'm in no mood to listen to old songs right now. Later perhaps. Tell me how is `m..i..n..g..y' pronounced?"

"The `i' and the `y' are like the `i' in `it' and `bit', and the `g' sounds like the `j' in `jam' and `juice'."

"The stress is probably on the first syllable."

"Very good! Do you know what the word means?"

"Haven't a clue."

"It is an informal word which is a combination of `mean' and `stingy'. When you say..."

"When you say that someone is `mingy', what you mean is that he is mean and stingy."

"Exactly! You want to know why your friend didn't lend you the money? It's because he's mingy."

"How about this example? There's no point in asking him. He's mingy."

"You can't be mingy. The money is going to be used for the upkeep of the old building."

"Upkeep? Does it mean maintenance?"

"That's right! Here's another example. The old man has left a lot of money in his will for the upkeep of his estate."

"Who is responsible for the upkeep of the local parks?"

"I have no idea. The government is probably being mingy with their funds. It explains why the parks are in such poor condition." "You have a point there. Now then, how about playing some peppy songs?" "Thought you'd never ask."



"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." - Robert McCloskey


S. UPENDRAN


upendrankye@gmail.com

__________________
Regards,
P.R.

1. What is the meaning of ‘uncharted waters’?
(V. Chandrasekharan, Kumbakonam)

When you say that a place is ‘uncharted’, what you mean is that the area has not been explored. As it has not been surveyed, you will not find it plotted on any map. It is something that is new and has never been described.

*We don’t know anything about the island. It is uncharted.

When you refer to a situation or an experience as being ‘uncharted waters’ or ‘uncharted territory’, you mean it is new or unfamiliar. The two expressions are used to mean ‘unknown’.

Being in the final of a Grand Slam tournament is uncharted waters for Andy.


2. How is the word ‘bade’ pronounced?
(G. Mukund, Chennai)

There are two ways of pronouncing this word. One way is to pronounce it like the word ‘bad’, and the other is to make it rhyme with the words ‘made’, ‘fade’ and ‘jade’. ‘Bade’ is the past tense of ‘bid’. When you ‘bade’ someone goodbye, for example, you are bidding him goodbye.

*Geetha bade Govind goodbye and walked into the airport.


3. Is it okay to say, ‘He was appointed as Principal’?
(Anita, Mangalore)

There is nothing wrong with the sentence; the use of ‘as’ after ‘appointed’ is optional. There was a time, of course, when ‘appointed as’ was considered unacceptable. Nowadays, even native speakers of English have begun to use ‘as’ after ‘appointed’. This should make us Indians happy because we’ve been saying ‘appointed as’ for a long time. Careful users of the language, however, still frown on this.

*Satish’s wife has been appointed (as) Deputy Director of Communications.


4. What is the difference between ‘allude’ and ‘elude’?
(T. Vijaya, Trivandrum)

First, let’s deal with the pronunciation of the two words. The ‘a’ in ‘allude’ is like the ‘a’ in ‘china’, and the following syllable rhymes with ‘rude’, ‘crude’, and ‘Jude’. The word is pronounced ‘a-luude’. The ‘e’ in ‘elude’ is like the ‘i’ in ‘it’ and ‘bit’, and the following syllable sounds like the ‘lude’ in ‘allude’. The word is pronounced ‘i-luude’. In both cases, the stress is on the second syllable.

When you ‘allude’ to someone or something, you refer to the person or thing in a rather indirect way. The word is mostly used in formal contexts.

*In his presentation, the speaker alluded to several problems that might result.

When you ‘elude’ someone, you are clever enough to avoid them or escape from them.

*The fugitive succeeded in eluding the police for several weeks.

The word can be used with things as well. When something ‘eludes’ you, you fail to understand it or remember it.

I met her at last year’s conference. Her name, however, eludes me.


5. What is the difference in meaning between ‘I married her’ and ‘I was married to her’?
(P.V. Rama Chander, Vishakapatnam)

Both sentences are grammatically acceptable. The second sentence suggests that you were married to the girl sometime ago; currently, you are not married to her. In the case of the first sentence, the meaning is not entirely clear. One is not very sure if the girl continues to be your wife or not. You may be married to her, you may not be.





S. UPENDRAN

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Regards,
P.R.

1. How is the word `malaise' pronounced?
(K. Geetha, Mysore)

The `a' in the first syllable is like the `a' in `cat', `bat' and `sat'. The second syllable `laise' rhymes with the words `daze', `gaze', and `maze'. The word is pronounced `ma-laze' with the stress on the second syllable. This is a word of French origin and it is mostly used in formal contexts. `Mal' means `bad' and `aise' means `ease'; the word literally means `ill at ease'. Malaise is normally used to refer to the general feeling of uneasiness that we sometimes have. Very often we are unable to explain the cause of this mental or physical discomfort. This is just one of the meanings of the word.


2. What is the difference between `prevaricate' and `procrastinate'?
(R. Sridhar, Hyderabad)

Sometimes, we are asked to do things we don't want to. What do we normally do under such circumstances? We postpone doing them! When you procrastinate, you delay doing something that you ought to be doing. This Latin word literally means `to put off until tomorrow'.

Stop procrastinating. I need an answer right now. When politicians are asked questions by reporters, what is it that they do? They try their best to avoid answering them. They do everything possible to avoid giving a direct and truthful answer.

When a person prevaricates, he avoids telling the truth. The word comes from Latin and literally means 'walking crookedly'. The `a' in the second syllable of both words is pronounced like the `a' in `cat' and `bat'.

The press accused the Prime Minister of prevaricating.

`Procrastinate' and `prevaricate' are mostly used in formal contexts. Both words have the stress on the second syllable.


3. Which is correct: `Half of my friends are in America' or `Half my friends are in America'?
(S. T. Dilip, Chennai)

Both sentences are correct. You can use `half' or `half of' before a `noun with a determiner (article, possessive or demonstrative)'. For example, you can say, `I finished half of my work by 6: 00 pm'. You can also say, `I finished half my work by 6: 00 pm.'

Half (of) her adult life has been spent in jail.

Before pronouns, however, we use only `half of' and not `half'. For example, `These chocolates are really good. I've already eaten half of them.' We cannot say, `I've already eaten half them'. When we talk about measurements or quantity, then we use `half' and not `half of'. There's only half a bottle of shampoo left.


4. What is the meaning of `blow away the cobwebs'?
(R. Shruthi, Chennai)

This is an idiom which is mostly used in British and Australian English. Sometimes when we have stayed indoors for a long time, we feel tired or bored. To overcome these feelings, what is it that we do? Most of the time, we decide to step outside and get some fresh air. We may go for a walk, or play some cricket, tennis, etc. This outdoor activity which we take part in to clear our head is called `blow away the cobwebs'.

A nice little walk on the beach should blow away the cobwebs.


"The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable." - John Kenneth Galbraith



S. UPENDRAN

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Regards,
P.R.

1. What is the meaning of ‘putsch’?
(Saurabh Sinha, Allahabad)

First, let’s deal with the pronunciation. The ‘u’ is like the ‘u’ in ‘put’, ‘full’, and ‘pull’; the final ‘tsch’ sounds like the ‘ch’ in ‘child’, ‘cheap’, and ‘chips’. The word is pronounced ‘puch’. A ‘putsch’ is a sudden attempt by a group of people to overthrow a government through forceful means. The word is German in origin, and it means ‘a sudden blow, push’.

*The dictator has brought in many changes since the failed putsch.


2. How is the word ‘bourgeois’ pronounced?
(M. S. Manikandan, Kallakuruchi)

The ‘our’ in the first syllable sounds like the ‘aw’ in ‘claw’ and ‘flaw’. The ‘g’ is like the ‘s’ in ‘measure’ and ‘treasure’; this is followed by the sound ‘w’ – as in ‘wet’, ‘week’, and ‘west’. The ‘eois’ in the final syllable is like the ‘a’ in ‘ask’, ‘task’, and ‘mask’. The word is pronounced ‘baw-zhwaa’ with the stress on the first syllable. This is one way of pronouncing the word.

‘Bourgeois’ is a word of French origin and it is mostly used to show disapproval. If you describe someone’s attitude as being ‘bourgeois’, what you mean is that it is rather conventional; it is very middle class.

*Very soon there is going to be a backlash against the current bourgeois materialism.



3. What is the meaning of the expression ‘in the thick of things’?
(Shreevidya, Chennai)

This is an expression that is mostly used in informal contexts. When you say that someone is in the thick of things, what you mean is that he is deeply involved in something; in other words, he is taking an active part in it.


*There was a fierce battle going on, and Suresh found himself in the thick of it.


4. What is the difference in meaning between ‘continually’ and ‘continuously’?
(T. Shanmuga Sundaram, Tiruchengode)

If you work ‘continuously’ for four hours, you work non-stop for four hours. You don’t take a break in between; you work without any interruption.


*Standing on top of the dune, all she saw was a continuous stretch of sand.

If you say you have been working continually for several hours, it implies you’ve spent most of your time working. In this case, you didn’t work non-stop; you worked with interruptions. Maybe you took a five-minute break after every hour of work you put in. These breaks may have been either voluntary or involuntary. The word ‘continually’ is used to refer to repeated action.

*Our neighbour’s new dog continually barked all night.

According to some commentators, this subtle distinction between the two words is no longer being maintained by many speakers of English.


5. What is the difference between ‘however’ and ‘how ever’?
(S. M. Brahma Raju, Bangalore)

‘However’, as one word, is normally used to introduce a statement which contrasts with something you had said earlier.

*Hema is usually very reserved. At the party, however, she let her hair down.

The word can also be used in sentences to mean ‘to whatever degree’.

*However hard you try, you won’t be able to defeat him.

‘How ever’ is normally used to show surprise. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, “When ‘ever’ is used to emphasise ‘how’, meaning in what way or manner, it is written as two separate words."

*How ever did Maya manage to get here so quickly?


“Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level.” — Quentin Crisp


S. UPENDRAN

__________________
Regards,
P.R.