“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

“homemaker” and a “housewife”

In terms of meaning there is no difference between these words. The word “homemaker” is the politically correct way of referring to a “housewife”. “Homemaker” sounds much better than “housewife”, doesn’t it? Here are a few more words which are considered politically correct: office assistant (secretary), significant other (husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend), and horizontally challenged (someone who is fat).

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

“meanderthal”

The word meanderthal is a combination of “meander” and “Neanderthal”. A Neanderthal is someone who lived in Europe thousands of years ago. When you call someone a “Neanderthal”, what you are implying is that he behaves in an uncivilised manner. As you probably know, the word “meander” has different meanings. When a person meanders, he never gets to the point; he talks aimlessly.

The word can also be used to refer to someone who walks slowly and aimlessly. Therefore when you refer to someone as being a “meanderthal” it could mean one of two things. It could mean someone who walks around slowly and aimlessly. Very often when we are in a hurry, we get stuck behind a meanderthal! A person who talks aimlessly and never gets to the point can also be called a meanderthal. Do not use this word with people you do not know.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 20, 2004

“blitzkrieg”

The “i” in the first syllable is pronounced like the “i” in “bit”, “pit”, and “hit”. The two vowels in the second syllable sound like the “ee” in “fee”, “see”, and “knee”. The “z” is like the “s” in “sit”, “sip”, and “sin”. The main stress is on the first syllable. In German, “blitz” means lightning or flash, and “kreig” means war.

“Blitzkrieg” refers to an intensive military operation which catches the enemy by surprise. The aim of such a ferocious attack is to subdue the enemy very quickly. “Blitzkrieg” is a word the world became familiar with during the Second World War.

Initially, the word was only used in military contexts. But nowadays, the word is beginning to be used in general contexts as well. The constant ferocious attacks that we sometimes see in newspapers against an individual or a political party can also be called a “blitzkrieg”. So can an advertising campaign for the launching of a new product. It is from “blitzkrieg” that we get the word “blitz”.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 20, 2004

“Rubberneck”

 When you are reading a newspaper on a train, sometimes you find the person sitting next to you leaning over your shoulder to see what it is that you are reading. The individual stretches his neck in order to do this. Such a person was called a “rubberneck”.

Nowadays, the word is used to refer to someone who stares at someone or something.

A tourist, since he is always staring at something, is often called a “rubberneck”. The word is mostly used in American English and is considered slang.

*The rubberneck in front of me moved at a very slow pace.

The word can also be used as a verb. When you “rubberneck” at something, you are staring at it. *Stop rubbernecking at the screen. Switch off the TV and finish your homework.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 13, 2004

“fanatic” and “bigot”

A bigot is someone who has very strong opinions and prejudices — usually political or religious. He will not change his mind even if you prove him wrong; he is blindly devoted to his beliefs. He is very obstinate and has contempt for those who do not share his beliefs. “Bigot” is a much stronger word than “fanatic” and is always used to show disapproval.

*The religious bigots among the guests ruined the party.

The first syllable is like the word “big” and the “o” that follows is like the “a” in “china”. The main stress is on the first syllable.

The first “a” in “fanatic” is like the “a” in “china”, while the following one is like the “a” in “cat”, “bat”, and “act”. The main stress is on the second syllable and not the first.

When you describe someone as being a political or religious fanatic you are showing your disapproval of him; you think his opinions and behaviour are rather extreme.

*Some of his closest friends include some well-known religious fanatics.

Unlike the word “bigot” which is limited in its use, the word fanatic can be used with other activities as well. If you say that someone is a fanatic about jogging, what you are implying is that in your opinion, the individual is obsessively enthusiastic about jogging. When used in this manner, the word carries with it a hint of irrationality or madness. It is from the word “fanatic” that we get the word “fan” — meaning enthusiast.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 06, 2004

Pronunciation: “bete noire”

When you dislike someone intensely, you can refer to him/her as your bete noire. These are mostly people that annoy you greatly. The word can be used with objects as well.

*Rajeev’s bete noire is attending weddings.

The first word is pronounced like “bet”; the “n” is like the “n” in “net”, “nip” and “nest”. The sound that follows the “n” is like the “w” in “water”, “was” and “wet”. The vowels are pronounced like the “a” in “ask”, “task” and “mask”. The “r” is silent, and the main stress is on “noire”. This is one way of pronouncing the word.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 06, 2004

“Rendezvous”

When you have a rendezvous with an individual you have a meeting with him at an appointed time. The word is used in formal contexts.

*This coffee shop has become a rendezvous for college students.

The “e” in the first syllable is like the “o” in “on”, “don”, and “con”. The “e” that follows in the second syllable sounds like the “i” in “it”, “hit”, and “fit”. The final “ous” sounds like the “oo” in “cool”, “pool”, and “fool”. The “z” is silent and the main stress is on the first syllable.

 The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, August 23, 2004

Brouhaha

The word comes from the French “brouhaha” meaning “noisy chattering”. The word became popular in English after the Second World War. Nowadays, the word is normally used in informal contexts to mean a commotion or an angry complaint about something.

*There is a report on the recent brouhaha over the non-payment of the bonus.

The first syllable “brou” is pronounced like the word “brew”, and the “a” in the following two syllables sounds like the “a” in “art”, “part”, and “cart”. The British put the stress on the first syllable, while the Americans place it on the second.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, August 16, 2004

“netizen”

We all know what “citizen” means. Well, a “netizen” is a citizen of the Internet; he is a citizen of the Internet community. The word was coined by Michael Hauben in 1992. Another word which has the same meaning is “cybercitizen”.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, August 09, 2004.