“dispute” and “quarrel”

Both words refer to a verbal expression of disagreement, but usually a dispute tends to be much more serious. The two warring parties can be two countries or different groups of people and they usually have heated clashes over something serious. A dispute is something, which usually lasts for a long time as well. For example, India and Pakistan have been disputing over Kashmir since 1947.

*We have had a border dispute with Pakistan ever since we got our independence. *There was a territorial dispute between the two rival gangs. *The dispute is unlikely to be settled soon.

A quarrel can range from a mild to a violent argument; in general it tends to be far less serious than a dispute. When people quarrel, they are usually having an argument about something unimportant. Kids, for example, usually quarrel, they do not have disputes.

*The kids were constantly quarreling about something or the other. *I don’t want to start a quarrel, if you don’t mind. *The quarrel between the husband and the wife turned nasty.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 16, 2003

“flibbertigibbet”

Pronunciation: The first syllable rhymes with “glib”; the “er” in the following syllable is like the “a” in “china”. The three vowels that follow are pronounced like the “i” in “bit”, “pit”, and “kit”. The “g” is like the “j” in “jam”, “juice”, and “jeep”. The main stress is on the fourth syllable “gib”. This word is not used very often these days as it is considered to be old fashioned. Not all dictionaries include it.

A “flibbertigibbet” is a silly, talkative person. The word is normally used with women and not men — though the world has its share of silly men who talk incessantly.

Here are a few examples. *If it is that flibbertigibbet Janaki, tell her I am not at home. *Everyone thought that Nandini was a flibbertigibbet, so no one took her ideas seriously.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 16, 2003

“in short supply” and “in short order”

When you say that a commodity is “in short supply” what you mean is that it is scarce. The item is very difficult to get hold of because there is very little of it available. The demand for it is far greater than the supply.

Here are a few examples. *Thanks to the transport strike, fresh vegetables are in short supply. *I am told that during World War II chocolate was in short supply.

“In short order”, on the other hand, has nothing to do with demand and supply. When you say that something was done in short order, what you mean is that it was done very quickly. The expression is mostly used in informal contexts.

*The Minister’s assistant straightened out the mess in short order. *I don’t want any excuses. I want this work done in short order.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 16, 2003

“carrot and stick approach”

The carrot and stick approach was first used by owners of donkeys in order to keep their animals moving. Whenever the animal stopped, the rider used to dangle a raw carrot in front of the animal’s nose. And if the stubborn animal still refused to move, then guess what happened? The owner gave it a sound thrashing with a stick! When you adopt the carrot and stick approach, you are getting someone to do what you want him to by rewarding him. You give him something valuable, something he wants. If he fails to do what you want him to, then you punish him. You make something bad happen to him. So when a Minister says that he is going to adopt a carrot and stick policy, is he implying that he is the master and we are all asses? Not really. (At least I don’t think so!) All that he is saying is that he is going to reward those who do their job and punish those who don’t.

*The teachers use both the carrot and the stick to make sure that the students do their work. *The Government says that it favours a carrot and stick approach to get unemployed people back to work.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 16, 2003