In Glosso’s series “X v Y” we’re looking at words that are commonly muddled up, or used interchangeably by design or by mistake. Here we look at shrunk vs. shrank. Continue reading
X v Y: Fanciful conceit, or simple concept?
Continuing Glosso’s series of “X v Y”, let’s take a look at conceit and concept. Continue reading
X v Y: For one brief shining moment …
Next up in Glosso’s “X v Y” series: does momentarily mean very soon — or very briefly? Continue reading
Quite ambiguous
Can you think of a word that means one thing and its exact opposite, depending on the context in which it is used? Continue reading
X v Y: Which witch? That witch?
Continuing Glosso’s series of “X v Y”, here’s a look at the difference between that and which. Continue reading
X v Y: “Dr. Livingstone, I assume??”
The third post in Glosso’s X v Y series looks at assume v presume. Continue reading
X v Y: Intention or intent?
The second of Glossophilia’s series “X v Y” examines intention v intent. Continue reading
Bus, buses, busses
AP Style’s wry tip of the month …
According to Grammarist:
“Notwithstanding Great Caesar’s assertion regarding ‘busses’ as being a kiss (an archaic definition retained only in very few dialects), busses is commonly accepted as the correct form for the verb ‘to bus’ as in he/she/it busses. Buses is the plural of the noun ‘bus’.”
You can hear the singular “buss” in this song, ‘Spin on a Red Brick Floor’: take it away, Nanci Griffith:
Busses,
Glosso
xoxo
Hat tip to Rona
“X v Y”: Take me to your leader, but bring me the head of John the Baptist
Kicking off a series of “X vs Y”, Glossophilia is digging out some of its more popular earlier posts examining differences between commonly muddled up words and phrases. First up: take v. bring … Continue reading
A solar eclipse glossary
Total solar eclipse seen from Varanasi, India; Wikimedia Commons
In a week’s time, on August 21, a total eclipse of the sun will dim American skies; it will be the first such eclipse to be seen in the continental United States in 38 years, making it the cosmic episode of the decade. In 1925, the New York Times described a solar eclipse as “the most magnificent free show nature presents to man.” Glossophilia takes a rocket-ship ride through some of the light-fantastic lingo of solar eclipses (definitions courtesy of the OED and NASA). We’ll also ask an important and relevant spelling question: should we capitalize “Sun”, “Moon” and/or “Earth” when we’re writing about this heavenly happening? Continue reading