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Questions tagged [vocabulary]

The vocabulary tag should be used for questions discussing a multitude of words in a certain field. E.g., the vocabulary concerning money or the vocabulary concerning leatherworking.

A few sample questions that are a good fit for this tag:

This tag should be distinguished from:

  • , which is for questions about choosing a word from a set of alternatives
  • , which is for questions about finding a word to fit a meaning, when you don't yet have any alternatives to choose from
  • , which is for questions about definitions and nuances of meaning in a word or phrase
2165 questions
25
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11 answers

Equivalent of "Excuse me" for "you're not in my way"? Pedestrian bump avoidance

Is there a quick phrase, like "excuse me", that means "You're not in my way; please don't change this fact"? I mean in the context of e.g. passing someone who's on the grass between the sidewalk and the road, looking away from me, and is liable to…
NixillUmbreon
  • 271
21
votes
2 answers

What word describes the traffic when vehicles are totally stopped?

I'm writing a short paragraph about my city and I want to mention the traffic. I remember there being a word to describe a situation that's even worse than a traffic jam, where vehicles can't move at all and are completely stuck, but I can't…
HoaiDepChi
  • 561
20
votes
5 answers

What is it called when the word "sorry" is not used for apologizing?

When I use the word "sorry" for something I did wrong I'm sorry I bumped into you. I would be apologizing. However, when I used the word "sorry" to express pity for something that is not actually my fault, I'm sorry you couldn't figure that…
Fibericon
  • 375
16
votes
13 answers

Should I use 10 cent words or $2 words?

In school, I learned to use 10 cent words, so instead of saying: (updated: from a paper that says a scientist doing experiment with fish would make it complicated to say:) All biota exhibited 100% mortality rate. just say: All fish died. which…
nonopolarity
  • 3,023
16
votes
4 answers

The word for a man who hunts a dangerous mountain cat without prophylactic?

Hello once again special team stack exchange and a usage. I search many hours dictionary for a man goes into woods for hunt dangerous mountain cat or similar enemy despite no protection or prophylactic caution. Maybe he take only small catpalt for…
The Beefer Fan
  • 779
13
votes
4 answers

What is a "canary-trainer"?

In Arthur Conan Doyle's The adventure of Black Peter, Watson casually refers to a previous exploit of Holmes:- In the memorable year '95 a curious and incongruous succession of cases had engaged his attention, ranging from this famous …
Brian Hooper
  • 36,868
12
votes
5 answers

Is "alien" offensive?

I understand that alien is used as a synonym of foreigner, as well as a synonym of extraterrestrial. I suspect that people from other planets wouldn't mind being called aliens. But is it wrong (offensive or somehow inappropriate) to call a person…
Ivo Rossi
  • 2,266
11
votes
1 answer

Why did 'verboten' come into use when we already have 'forbidden'?

Why did 'verboten' come into use when English already has a perfectly good word, 'forbidden', that means exactly the same thing but is much more widely understood? Is there a subtle difference that I do not get?
dave
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11
votes
1 answer

Word for rungs in a rope ladder or on shipboard rigging

I'm writing something where characters climb a large rope grid, like what you'd see on old-timey pirate ships or on a playground. Functionally, this construction is similar to a ladder but calling the individual ropes where people can stand on…
Dragongeek
  • 213
10
votes
8 answers

A word that means a bad copy of lots of other things

Used in this context... I don't like The Cleveland show because it is **** It's a term we use in animation to say that we don't like this programme or idea because it is too similar to other ones out there.
Rebe
  • 101
10
votes
6 answers

Variations of the word "Schadenfreude"

Schadenfreude is pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. Is there a word which means to take pleasure in the misfortune of another when previously that misfortune was inflicted on you by that other person? I won't describe here (in public)…
Ed Guiness
  • 8,923
9
votes
7 answers

Is "so-so" correct usage for "more or less"?

I took a trip down to Mexico last week and I heard "so-so" in response to "Do you speak English?" Now, I'm used to hearing "so-so" more in the context of "all right" or "OK", but not as in "more or less". Is this usage correct or is it a lack of…
stefy
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9
votes
5 answers

Word for an Origin and Destination without regard for route

I'm looking for a word that describes an origin and destination, regardless of the route taken. The words I've come up with so far, route, trip, travel, etc. all imply a specific set of directions. To clarify: I'm interested in a noun that describes…
Michael
  • 217
9
votes
4 answers

Name(s) for the top and bottom of an apple

Not sure if this is a right place to ask this question, but I'll have a go. What do you call the ends of an apple, as in, the branch side, and its opposite side where it's caved in?
tim_wonil
  • 241
9
votes
3 answers

What are the criteria to adopt new words into English?

Long time no see is a typical example for Chinglish, though it is said that long time no see has been accepted by the mainstream English speakers. Recently, there is a neologism movement in the Mainland, and a few new Chinglish words have been…
user3812
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