Search found 2645 matches
- Sat Apr 03, 2021 2:24 am
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Hold a candle
- Replies: 3
- Views: 240
Re: Hold a candle
When Steve posted this I realized that I knew what it meant... but not why. When I looked it up, there seemed to be a lot of suggestions that it referred to an apprentice, whose job it was to "hold the candle" for the journeyman (so he could see well enough to do the work). It was the most basic of ...
- Tue Mar 30, 2021 4:28 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: altogether
- Replies: 4
- Views: 679
Re: altogether
It means completely, entirely.
They had entirely too much fun...they couldn't possibly have had more.
They had entirely too much fun...they couldn't possibly have had more.
- Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:28 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: which I didn't know
- Replies: 3
- Views: 836
Re: which I didn't know
I'm not at all sure about correctness but I don't think I would have used any of your suggestions. Trying to stick with your format, I would have said each one a little differently... 1) I said things that I didn't know were true. 2) I said things and I didn't know whether they were true or not. 3) ...
- Fri Mar 19, 2021 5:29 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Screw cap
- Replies: 3
- Views: 979
Re: Screw cap
Wine bottles have traditionally been stoppered with a cork. When screw-tops started to be used they were associated with cheap wine. This is no longer the case as many fine wines now come with a screw-top. I do have to say, though, I rather like the whole production (ritual?) of pulling the cork on ...
- Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:38 am
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Slew hole
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1028
Re: Slew hole
It's new to me, as well. Could it be a "slough" hole? Something mucky , swampy and dirty? Whatever it is supposed to mean, we can be sure it is not a compliment. I saw some footage of the Cardi B dance... it was not pretty.
- Tue Mar 16, 2021 5:30 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Kind of umbrella
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1449
Re: Kind of umbrella
Try "cantilever" or "offset" patio umbrella. Stationary umbrellas used for shade are usually referred to as patio umbrellas. I've never seen an offset one quite the same shape as the one in your photo, though. It looks more like what we call a "gazebo". Whether it's an umbrella or a gazebo...it is s...
- Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:02 am
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Children's toy
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1607
Re: Children's toy
...especially when it's such a rickety-looking pile of crap like that. It looks like it is made out of 1" PVC pipe...but that's a whole other story.
- Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:06 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Hatch
- Replies: 3
- Views: 722
Re: Hatch
It is still in use, around here. It is usually used as a toast before tossing back an alcoholic beverage, but not always. It really just means to swallow something. You could toss a habanero pepper "down the hatch" or a handful of pills. It is usually something that may be difficult or unpleasant to...
- Sat Mar 06, 2021 10:44 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Children's toy
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1607
Re: Children's toy
Steve, what do they call it in that advert?
- Sat Mar 06, 2021 5:28 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Children's toy
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1607
Re: Children's toy
You may see similar things in outdoor playgrounds (probably monitored by some over anxious adult wearing a high-vis vest and carrying a bundle of bubble wrap). These things, designed for children to climb on, were commonly called "monkey bars" or a "jungle gym".
- Mon Mar 01, 2021 2:35 am
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: too many
- Replies: 2
- Views: 737
Re: too many
I like "b." If I was using t "a", I'd probably say "a few yards too far away" rather than "a few yards too many away". Not sure if that's correct, but it's just how it works...in my head.
- Fri Feb 19, 2021 5:32 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Out of one's skin
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1430
Re: Out of one's skin
I'm only familiar with the "jumping/leaping out" versions, but Mentalfloss.com has this to say: 6. OUT OF ONE'S SKIN English really itches to let you know exactly where we stand in relation to skin. We can jump or leap out of it when we’re excited. We can fly out of it when we get really angry. And ...
- Thu Feb 18, 2021 5:32 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Pencil trash
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2141
Re: Pencil trash
I started wondering what else they could be called. I tried "pencil shards" but didn't find anyone in that camp. It seems that more than a few people also call them "sharpenings".
- Tue Feb 16, 2021 8:59 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: so as to make me fall
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1910
Re: so as to make me fall
"He tried to knock me down but he did not succeed"... no one is confused, at all.
- Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:02 pm
- Forum: Usage and Writing
- Topic: Able to purchase
- Replies: 3
- Views: 2328
Re: Able to purchase
"But this is all you are able to purchase / buy" could imply that the product was unavailable for some reason (it was out of stock, you could not find it, it has been discontinued, not legal in your area). The original quote is very specific... you simply did not have the money.