website of the day: inogolo

inogolo- English Pronunciation Guide

inogolo contains a searchable database of names with both phonetic and audio pronunciations in English.

Is it ok to say “but then”?

Yes, it is. We use it all the time in speech and in informal styles of writing. It has the same meaning as “but”. For example, when we say, “Tendulkar is a gifted batsman, but then, so is Dravid”, what we mean is that both Dravid and Tendulkar are gifted batsmen. Tendulkar is a gifted batsman, but so is Dravid.

Here is another example. “I would like to help you, but then my wife wouldn’t like it.” What you mean here is that you would like to help the individual, but you are not in a position to because your wife wouldn’t like it. Maybe, she will get angry — and no husband wants to make his “better half” angry!

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, October 4, 2004

“in apple pie order”

This is an idiom that has been around for several centuries, and contrary to what many people believe, it is not of American origin. When you say that something is “in apple pie order”, what you mean is that it is in perfect order. Everything has been neatly organised; things are in their proper place.

*Bala puts his desk in apple pie order every evening.

According to many scholars the idiom is a corruption of the French “nappe plie” meaning “folded linen”. But the popular story doing the rounds is that the expression became popular thanks to a Colonial (that’s what Americans were called before they got their independence) wife who lived in New England.

The story goes that this lady was in the habit of baking seven apple pies every Sunday — one pie for every day of the coming week. Once the pies had been baked and cooled, she would then proceed to place them on different shelves. The pie that was to be eaten on Monday was placed on the first shelf, the one to be eaten on Tuesday on the shelf next to it, and so on and so forth. The story goes that this lady was so meticulous that she made sure that all the pies were lined up just right. Hence the expression, “apple pie order”. Interesting story, isn’t it? But then, that’s all it is, a story.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, October 4, 2004

“bonhomie ”

The “o” in the first syllable is like the “o” in “hot”, “pot”, and “got”, while the one in the second syllable sounds like the “a” in “china”. The final two vowels are like the “i” in “sit”, “pit”, and “hit”. The main stress is on the first syllable. This is one way of pronouncing the word.

Good-natured friendliness is usually referred to as “bonhomie”. The word is usually used in formal contexts.

*After winning the championship, the captain was full of bonhomie.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 27, 2004

“icing on the cake”

When you get cake to eat, it is a pretty good deal. If the cake has frosting or icing on it, then the deal is that much sweeter. When you say that something is icing or frosting on the cake, what you are implying is that the addition or inclusion of something makes a really good situation even better. A great deal, becomes a wonderful deal. When used approvingly, “icing on the cake” is used to refer to an unexpected extra good thing to have happened when you have already had some luck.

I was thrilled to get a big bonus. When my boss told me that I had also been promoted, it was really icing on the cake.

*Geetha was pretty excited when her book was published — winning the Pulitzer prize was icing on the cake.

The expression can also be used to show disapproval. There is no point in adding anything to something that is already good. The thing that you have added is unnecessary — icing on the cake.

*Having a glossy cover for our new magazine is both unnecessary and expensive — icing on the cake.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 27, 2004

website of the day – wordreference.com

WordReference.com –  free online translation dictionary.

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year 2009

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year 2009 is ”ADMONISH”

Click here for other words in the  Top Ten List

 

News Report: “Learning English to replace mother tongue”

Read the Times of India Report: ”Kid confusion: Learning English to replace mother tongue”

website: Pain in the English

PainInTheEnglish.com “encourages discussions of such gray areas of the English language, for which you would not find answers easily in dictionaries and other reference books” ( quoted from website itself.

Is the word “unwell” used only with pregnant ladies?

When a lady becomes pregnant, I don’t think people refer to her as being “unwell” — those days are gone. As for your question, the word “unwell” can be used with anyone — not just pregnant ladies.

*Jai began to feel unwell after his stroll in the park.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 27, 2004