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1500 questions
47
votes
3 answers
What is meant by "steep learning curve"?
What should I understand from "steep learning curve"? When a computer program (for example a translation program) has a steep learning curve, does it mean that it is not good at learning or it's hard for it to learn?
Mehper C. Palavuzlar
- 35,654
47
votes
1 answer
"Dependence" vs. "dependency"
These are two words that have baffled me for long. Dependency is given as 'excessive dependence' in Chambers, but I would love to know how the spoken usage is. My guess is dependency has a political touch to it. In addition, there is an independency…
Bravo
- 16,067
47
votes
10 answers
Around 1960 in Britain "Have you a camera?" or "Do you have a camera?"
Around 1960, when we began learning English in Japan, we were taught British English. To our great surprise, we were forced to change into American English in the next grade. Japanese English teachers were also upset, especially in pronunciation. We…
samhana
- 849
47
votes
8 answers
ETcetera pronounced as EXetera ? Correct?
I keep hearing everyone at my work (Native speakers) saying e-X-etera. They said my pronunciation of the word as e-T-cetera was incorrect. I got into a big argument, they thought I was mad.
Is there some unknown rule as to why "etcetera" should be…
user308957
47
votes
7 answers
What is the mistake in "There are many Danes who speak English"?
My students — Danish high school, year 13 — have to identify and explain mistakes in sentences. I have corrected so many, I cannot find the problem in this one:
There are many Danes who speak English.
Am I losing my mind?
47
votes
2 answers
What's up with the pronunciation of "awry"?
I was just watching a show where someone said "awry". I have noted this numerous times before and wondered, but now I just have to understand: Why is it pronounced as "aww-rye" [low tone on the aww] instead of "aww-ree" [high tone on the aww]?
Will
- 637
47
votes
11 answers
Is there a name for a window without glass?
I am speaking of a barn or log cabin which has a window opening but no glass. Neither "window" nor "opening" seem quite right.
A fire blocked the cabin's only door. Fortunately, I squeezed through the _______ and escaped to safety.
Stu W
- 7,116
47
votes
8 answers
Why do the titles of scholarly works sometimes begin with the word "on"?
For example, one of the articles in volume 183 issue 1 (January 2016) of Annals of Mathematics is titled "On the fibration method for zero-cycles and rational points". Why not just call it "The fibration method for zero-cycles and rational points"?…
Kodiologist
- 1,125
47
votes
14 answers
Is there a widely-accepted opposite of "as the crow flies"?
"As the crow flies" describes the distance between two points if one could go in a straight line without needing to follow the constraints of existing roads and paths. Is there a standard phrase for the distance if one does need to stick to existing…
tparker
- 1,195
47
votes
6 answers
What are the origins and proper uses of “s***gibbon”?
This derogatory term recently exploded on the U.S. scene with its application to U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump. Its arrival is so recent the Urban Dictionary has only a recent definition and one that seems to me not to connote the true…
KWinker
- 1,869
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47
votes
5 answers
What is the difference between "electric" and "electrical" and their usage?
What is the difference between electric and electrical and their usage?
For example, what is the difference between "electrical machine" and "electric machine"?
Computist
- 1,387
47
votes
6 answers
Is there a gender-neutral word for "aunts and uncles"/"parents' siblings"?
Brothers and sisters are siblings. Husbands and wives are spouses. Mothers and fathers are parents. Sons and daughters are children. Grandparents, grandchildren ... but what about uncles and aunts, or nieces and nephews?
In writing this, I…
Daniel
- 57,547
47
votes
25 answers
Is there a similar English phrase for this Tamil proverb - "Lavish outside home yet starving inside of it"?
In Tamil, a south Indian language, there is a saying which roughly translates into English as:
Lavish outside home, starving inside of it.
Background :
This proverb has a mocking tone and indicates people who project themselves to be very rich and…
BiscuitBoy
- 13,482
47
votes
2 answers
What is the correct term for paper that has become wet and deformed as it dried out?
If a paper is submerged in water for some time then left to dry, most often the paper will be deformed. It won't be as flat as it was originally, but wavy (and not wrinkled).
This is most apparent in water damaged books:
Q: What is the correct…
3kstc
- 2,478
47
votes
5 answers
Should there always be a comma after "therefore","However" etc.?
Should you always type a comma after "therefore","however" etc. in the beginning of a sentence? Also, when these (and similar) words are used in the middle of a sentence, should there be a comma or semi-colon before and after the word?
Therefore,…
benregn
- 2,065