Brunch, Snack, High Tea
Brunch = late morning meal instead of breakfast and lunch, usually occurring around the hour of 11 a.m. ( i.e. the eater avoids breakfast and lunch, instead they combine breakfast and lunch which results in brunch) Note: History and etymology for brunch. Breakfast + Lunch = BRUNCH. (Etymology = Science of origin and history of words.) They always have brunch together on Sundays. Having a meal with friends at eleven o’ clock in the morning is an example of brunch. He had earlier got drunk…
Useful Idioms – part 1
Out of this world = extremely enjoyable or impressive. What a restaurant, the food was out of this world! The performance was out of this world! This bakery sells some out-of-this-world desserts. Like gold dust = something very difficult to get because a lot of people want it. Tickets for the concert are like gold dust. You can’t get those new trainers anywhere. They’re like gold dust. Leave a lot to be desired = be highly unsatisfactory. Apparently, her cooking leaves a lot to be…
Suppress vs. Oppress
Suppress = to end something by force; prevent from being known or seen The government suppressed the pro-democracy movements by lathi-charge and arrests. They could not suppress the rebellion by force. She suppressed her feelings for the sake of peace. He managed to suppress his irritation. Oppress = 1. rule people unjustly or cruelly For years people of Uganda were oppressed by the ruthless dictator Idi Ameen. Oppressive laws and rules. A cruel tendency to oppress racial minorities. Years of violence and oppression. Oppress =…
Desert vs. Dessert
desert = (noun) A desert is a barren area of landscape where little rain occurs and consequently living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. Arabian desert, Sahara desert, Thar desert etc. dessert = (noun) course of fruit etc. at the end of a meal. We had ice-cream for dessert. They had arranged a large choice of desserts at the wedding party. desert = ( verb) 1. go away from The streets were deserted on the day of harthal. desert= (verb ) 2. leave…
Inability vs. Disability?
Inability = lack of ability, incapacity He expressed his inability to accept such a revolutionary idea. I am sorry to inform you my inability to attend the meeting. He is very sad about his inability to help the orphanage. Basically, it was her inability to give the team the best available coaching. Connected usages – able (opposite) unable. I can’t help you! (The most blunt way of refusal of help) I cannot help you. (Moderate way) I am unable to help you (polite way) Disability…
Afterbirth vs. Afterlife?
Afterbirth = the placenta and fetal membranes that are expelled after delivery She arched suddenly and the afterbirth shot out. The afterbirth was large. Afterlife = the life, for example. in heaven which some people believe begins after death He doesn’t believe in an afterlife or immortality. They will be reunited in the afterlife. Most Christians believe in an afterlife of some sort. Do you believe in an afterlife?
A broad classification of people on the basis of their age group
Sexagenarian = A person who is between 60 and 69 years old. Septuagenarian = between 70 and 79 years old Octogenarian = between 80 and 89 years old. Nonagenarian = between 90 and 99 years old. Centenarian = between 100 and above Connected usages : On the right/wrong side of He is on the right side of sixty. (He is below sixty years) I am on the wrong of side of sixty. (I am over sixty years) Centenary (noun, adjective) = a period of 100…
Housemaid, Nursemaid, or Wet Nurse?
Housemaid = Female servant in a house, especially one who cleans rooms etc; domestic help. How did you know I wanted a housemaid? She lives in a modest looking house with a housemaid. Nursemaid = Woman or girl employed to look after babies and small children. When I was a child, my nursemaid sang me lullabies whenever I was worried or afraid. She worked as a nursemaid to the family of a minister. Wet Nurse = woman who cares for and breastfeeds other people’s babies as a…
Sanction vs. sanctions
Sanction = right or permission given by authority to do something. You can’t translate the book without the sanction of the author and publishers. We received sanction to proceed with our plans. The scheme was sanctioned by the court. Sanctions (Usually plural) = penalty, punishment. (measures taken by a state to coerce another to conform to an international agreement or norms of conduct, typically in the form of restrictions on trade or official sporting participation.) The government of the US decided to bring economic sanctions against Pakistan…
Biannual, annual or biennial?
Biannual = occurring twice a year. The committee published its biannual report as on 30th June and the next report is due by 31st December. (i.e. two reports in a year) Annual = occurring once every year; covering the period of one year. The income tax is computed on the basis of one’s annual income. The Bank employees get reimbursements on the expenses on their annual physical check-up. It’s mandatory for companies to publish annual reports. (i.e. yearly once) Biennial = occurring every two years. (i.e.…