English Usage

Know your English

What is the difference between a ‘chef’ and a ‘cook’?

S. UPENDRAN

What is the difference between a ‘chef’ and a ‘cook’?

(Rithikaa, Coimbatore)

If you ask me, the only difference is that the chef wears a silly looking hat. Just kidding! The major difference is that the chef is a professional; the individual has a degree in culinary arts. He has spent two to four years learning his trade, and he usually works in a professional environment — a hotel, for example. A cook, on the other hand, need not have professional credentials; anyone who dabbles in the kitchen can be called a ‘cook’. You and I can be called a ‘cook’. The word ‘chef’ is the short form of the French ‘chef de cuisine’, meaning ‘chief of the kitchen’. And as the chief, he has many people working under him — including several cooks. Usually in our homes, a ‘cook’ toils on his/her own! Perhaps much more important, a chef gets paid a lot more than a cook.

What is the meaning of ‘hunky-dory’?

(Obli Rajesh, Coimbatore)

The first syllable of ‘hunky’ rhymes with ‘skunk’, ‘bunk’ and ‘dunk’; the ‘dor’ in ‘dory’ is pronounced like the word ‘door’. The word is pronounced ‘hun-ki DOOR-I’ with the main stress on the first syllable of ‘dory’. The expression is considered to be rather old fashioned, and is mostly heard in informal contexts. When you say that everything is ‘hunky dory’, you are suggesting that things are just fine. It is usually used to talk about situations where everything is under control.

*They had a massive fight yesterday. So things are not really hunky dory.

Several explanations have been offered regarding the origin of this American expression. One theory is that the ‘hunky’ comes from the Dutch ‘honk’ meaning ‘goal’. When someone has reached his goal, he is a very satisfied person. No one is really sure how ‘dory’ became part of the expression.

Which is correct? ‘I wonder/wondered if you could lend me a lakh’?

(J Nithya, Bangalore)

In terms of grammar, both sentences are correct. The use of ‘wondered’ does not imply that you had thought of asking for a loan sometime in the past. Both ‘wonder’ and ‘wondered’ suggest that you wish to ask the person for the loan right now. The simple past is frequently used with a verb like ‘wonder’ to make polite inquiries or requests. Although the two sentences mean the same thing, ‘I wondered’ would be considered to be much more polite than ‘I wonder’.

Is there a word for someone who is learning his ABC?

(G Vandana, Chennai)

The word that you have in mind is ‘abecedarian’. The first three syllables sound like the letters ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ respectively. The ‘dar’ is pronounced like the word ‘dare’, and the final ‘ian’ sounds like the ‘ian’ in ‘guardian’ and ‘custodian’. The word is pronounced ‘a-b-c-DARE-ian’ with the stress on the fourth syllable. The word has several different meanings. In addition to referring to someone who is learning the letters of the alphabet, it can also be used to refer to a novice — an individual who is learning the ‘abc’ of something. Anything that has been arranged alphabetically can also be called ‘abecedarian’. The word comes from the Latin ‘abecedarius’ meaning ‘alphabetical’.

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“The worst food that you’ll ever eat will probably be prepared by a ‘cook’ who calls himself a ‘chef’.”— Alton Brown

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Know Your English 10/6/2014

Know your English 

S. UPENDRAN

  

What is the meaning and origin of ‘Young Turks’?

(Said Khan, Guwahati)

The expression is frequently heard in the world of politics. When you refer to someone as a ‘Young/young Turk’, you are suggesting that the individual is keen on making some radical changes in a well-established organisation. It could be anything: a political party, a company, a university, etc. This young individual is bubbling with ideas and is rather impatient to implement them. He and his group of friends are keen to usurp power from the old conservatives who have been running the show till now.

*At the meeting, it was only the Young Turks that spoke against the Director.

*The young Turks in the teaching faculty want the VC to apologise to the students.

The term ‘Young Turks’ was first used to refer to a nationalist party that was keen on bringing about changes in the political system in Turkey. The members of the party were called ‘Young Turks’ because the founding members were all very young — most were in their early thirties, while a few were in their late twenties. In 1908, the party succeeded in overthrowing Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

What does ‘in law’ stand for in ‘mother-in-law’?

(C Radhakrishnan, Neelambari)

The word ‘in law’ is normally used to indicate that you are not biologically related to some individual; you have formed a relationship with him/her through marriage. The term ‘mother-in-law’ was first used by the Church to refer to one’s spouse’s mother. According to the laws of the Church (Canon Law), this individual had the same legal rights and responsibilities as the biological mother. In the eyes of the law, she was a mother too. This probably explains why in the past a ‘step father/mother’ was sometimes referred to as ‘father/mother-in-law’ — in the eyes of the law, the two individuals were not biologically related to the child.

Some people are afraid of seeing other people naked. Is there a word for this?

(Joseph, Hyderabad)

Yes, there is. The word that is frequently used to refer to the fear of nudity — whether it is the fear of seeing someone else or yourself naked — is ‘gymnophobia’. The word ‘gym’ comes from the Greek ‘gumnos’ meaning ‘naked’. In the past, when an athlete went to the gymnasium, he always trained naked. ‘Gym’ is the shortened form of ‘gymnasium’. Imagine the pandemonium that would result if all members started showing up in their gym in their birthday suit! In ancient times, women were not allowed to witness any of the events at the Olympic games. The reason being that all participants were men, and many chose to perform without a stitch on.

What is the difference between ‘stink’ and ‘stench’?

(Sunil Rao, Bangalore)

Both words are used to refer to a foul, unpleasant smell. Some people maintain there is no difference between the two. Others, however, claim that ‘stench’ is stronger and overpowering of the two. It is a smell that most people would agree is foul; it is something makes you want to throw up.

*Please get those socks washed. They stink.

*The stench from the rotting corpse made him open the windows.

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“Political discourse has become so rotten that it’s no longer possible to tell the stench of one presidential candidate from the stink of another.” — PJ O’ Rourke

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Usage of English

Know your English - 6-5-14

S. UPENDRAN  

What is the difference between ‘amateur’ and ‘novice’?

(J Shanthi, Chennai)

The word ‘novice’ is mostly used to refer to someone who is a beginner. For example, if you say, ‘When it comes to cricket, I’m a novice’, you mean that you are not very good at the game because you have just started playing it. When you say that someone is an ‘amateur’ cricket player, what you mean is that the individual is not a professional; he does not play the game for the money. An amateur is someone who takes part in an activity for the sheer joy of it. Unlike a novice, an amateur can be very skilled at the game; he is not necessarily a beginner. The word comes from the Latin ‘amotorem’ meaning ‘lover of’.

*Devi is an amateur cricket player. He plays on weekends.

*I didn’t want a novice like Mala on my team.

Unlike ‘novice’, the word ‘amateur’ can be used to show disapproval. When someone doesn’t do a very good job of something, you can say that he has done an amateur job.

*Raghavan did an amateur job of fixing the leak.

What is the meaning of ‘tail wagging the dog’?

(Vivek Sharma, Delhi)

The ‘tail’ is a very small part of a dog, and usually it’s the dog that wags the tail and not the other way around. The American expression ‘tail wagging the dog’ is normally used to refer to a situation where a minor or insignificant part of something controls the whole.

*In some households, the parents do whatever their children want them to. It’s a case of the tail wagging the dog.

Another expression that is sometimes heard is ‘wag the dog’. Whenever there is a scandal, the government tries to divert the attention of the public by turning the spotlight on something insignificant. Such a ploy is called ‘wag the dog’.

How is the word ‘emeritus’ pronounced?

(George Matthai, Cochin)

The first ‘e’ and the ‘i’ in the third syllable sound like the ‘i’ in ‘sit’, ‘lit’ and ‘fit’, while the ‘e’ in the second syllable is pronounced like the ‘e’ in ‘set’, ‘pet’ and ‘get’. The final vowel sounds like the ‘a’ in ‘china’. The word is pronounced ‘i-ME-ri-tes’ with the stress on the second syllable. It comes from the Latin ‘emereri’ meaning ‘earning one’s discharge by service’. It was first used to refer to veteran soldiers; those who had earned their retirement after having served in the army for many years. Nowadays, emeritus is frequently heard in academic contexts. When a professor who has served the university with distinction retires, he/she is sometimes given the title ‘emeritus’. The word can also be used to suggest that the retired individual retains the title on an honorary basis. For example, when the editor of a newspaper retires, he can call himself ‘Editor Emeritus’.

Is it okay to say ‘Sita has gotten to like him’?

(L Divya, Chennai)

In American English, ‘gotten’ is frequently used in speech. ‘I’ve gotten used to the pain’; ‘She’s gotten a new car’, etc. Such sentences would be frowned upon in writing because many people consider ‘gotten’ to be non-standard.

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“Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” — Ann Landers

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Know your English

Know your English — What is the meaning and origin of ‘whistle-stop tour’? 29/4/2014

S. UPENDRAN

What is the meaning and origin of ‘whistle-stop tour’?

(KR Natarajan, Coimbatore)

This American expression is mostly used in politics. During an election, a candidate does not usually spend too much time campaigning in small towns. When he visits such places, he makes a short speech, shakes a few hands and moves on. A ‘whistle-stop tour’ is when a candidate puts in a brief appearance in several small towns in a very short period of time.

*Our candidate plans to make several whistle-stop tours this month.

In everyday contexts, the expression means to visit several different places — not necessarily small towns — in a short span of time.

*John and Peter plan to make a whistle-stop tour of India.

In the 18th and 19th centuries in America, most candidates made use of the train to get from one place to another. Whenever a train stopped at a small station, the candidate made a short speech from the train itself and quickly moved on to the next town. Such small stations were called ‘whistle stop’ because trains only stopped there on request.

How is the word ‘virago’ pronounced?

(CV Geetha, Hyderabad)

The ‘i’ in the first syllable is like the ‘i’ in ‘sit’, ‘knit’ and ‘bit’, while the following ‘a’ is like the ‘a’ in ‘bath’, ‘mask’ and ‘dance’. The final syllable sounds like the word ‘go’. The word is pronounced ‘vi-RAA-go’ with the stress on the second syllable. A woman who is ill tempered and rather bossy is usually referred to as a ‘virago’. She is a shrew; someone who shouts and screams a lot.

*How Sanjay fell in love with a virago like Meena is beyond me.

The word comes from the Latin root ‘vir’ meaning ‘man’ or ‘virile’. Virago was first used as a compliment; when you referred to a woman as being a virago, you meant she had great strength and courage.

What is the difference between ‘person’ and ‘personage’?

(Uday Kumar, Pune)

First, let us deal with the pronunciation of ‘personage’. The ‘age’ in the final syllable rhymes with the words ‘fridge’, ‘bridge’ and ‘ridge’. The word is pronounced ‘PER-se-nij’ with the stress on the first syllable. Any individual can be referred to as a ‘person’, but only a few can be called ‘personage’. This word is normally used to refer to someone who is well known and has a social standing.

*Standing at the doorstep was no less a personage than Sachin Tendulkar.

The word can also be used with characters/people one sees in a painting, movie, play, etc.

*Tell me, who are the personages in this famous painting?

‘Personage’ comes from the Latin ‘personaticum’ meaning ‘person of high rank or distinction’.

Is it okay to use ‘rethink’ as a noun?

(Anil Sharma, Kanpur)

Yes, the word ‘rethink’ can be used as a noun as well as a verb. It refers to the act of thinking about something again; when you ‘have a rethink’ about a plan, you reassess it. You may make changes to the original or you may choose to discard the plan altogether.

*The Minister believes that a fundamental rethink on higher education is needed.

*If you ask me, your proposal needs a rethink.

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“It is so simple to be wise. Think of something stupid to say and don’t say it.” — Sam Levenson

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Know your English

Know your English — How is the word ‘dishevelled’ pronounced? 22/4/2014

S. UPENDRAN

  

What is the meaning and origin of ‘break the ice’?

(D Srinivasan, Tenkasi)

Very often, people find it difficult to have a lengthy conversation with someone they have just been introduced to. The two strangers find the situation awkward, and as a result, they don’t really say much to each other. The conversation, if one can call it that, has lengthy pauses. When you try to ‘break the ice’, you say or do something which will put the other person at ease — by reducing the tension or anxiety, you are hoping to get a conversation going.

*The professor broke the ice by telling the students a really funny joke.

*The ice was broken when they started talking about cricket and old films.

There are several theories regarding the origin of this idiom. According to one, in the past, traders and businessmen relied heavily on the river to transport their goods from one place to another. This became a problem during winter when the rivers froze. To ensure that the ships didn’t get stuck in the ice, smaller ships called ‘icebreakers’ were used to break the ice and make a path for the cargo ships. Before the ‘icebreakers’ came into existence, when a ship got stuck, sailors got off the ship and attempted to break the ice using an axe. In the past, people broke the ice to keep the ships moving; nowadays, we break the ice to keep a conversation flowing.

How is the word ‘dishevelled’ pronounced?

(Sunaina, Delhi)

The ‘i’ in the first syllable is like the ‘i’ in ‘bit’, ‘sit’ and ‘hit’, while the following ‘sh’ sounds like the ‘sh’ in ‘sheep’, ‘ship’ and ‘shoot’. The ‘evel’ rhymes with ‘devil’ and ‘revel’. The word is pronounced ‘di-SHEV-ld’ with the stress on the second syllable. This is one way of pronouncing the word. ‘Dishevelled’ comes from the French ‘dishevely’ meaning ‘bare headed’. Nowadays, the word is mostly used to mean ‘untidy’. When someone says that you look ‘dishevelled’, it means you look a complete mess — perhaps the clothes that you are wearing are dirty and your hair looks unkempt. In American English, this word is spelt ‘disheveled’.

*Some of the bowlers in our cricket team always look dishevelled.

*Ishant always comes to work looking rather dishevelled.

What is the meaning of ‘country cousin’?

(Nirmala Mishra, Dehradun)

In native varieties of English, this term is used to refer to a cousin who lives in the countryside. He is a rustic, and like most people from a village, he is unsophisticated. For someone who has spent all his life in the city, a ‘country cousin’ can be source of embarrassment and amusement. This relative does not know anything about city life; having led a sheltered existence, he is quite naive about the ways of the world. He can therefore be duped or tricked easily. The term is mostly used to show disapproval.

*My country cousins are paying us a visit next month.

In India, a person who comes from the same state as you do and speaks your language is sometimes jokingly referred to as ‘your country cousin’.

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“I like being a woman, even in a man's world. After all, men can't wear dresses, but we can wear the pants.” — Whitney Houston

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Source: The Hindu