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1500 questions
44
votes
3 answers
Why is quixotic not Quixotic (a proper adjective)?
Adjectives derived from proper nouns are known as proper adjectives, and are capitalized:
A piece of writing could be Shakespearean, not shakespearean.
A person may be Canadian, not canadian.
Even Chrome's spellchecker sees these as correct and…
Jesse Williams
- 1,456
44
votes
4 answers
Is it "a uniform" or "an uniform"?
On a Physics specification, it says:
6.7 Know how to use two permanent magnets to produce a uniform magnetic field pattern.
Isn't it "produce an uniform magnetic field", or is the existing "produce a uniform magnetic field pattern" correct?
JFW
- 4,767
44
votes
2 answers
What is the word for pronouncing ‘th’ as ‘v’ as part of your English accent?
Some people I know have a ‘lazy tone’ on their British accent pronouncing their ‘th’ as ‘v’.
Don’t bover about the weava.
(Don’t bother about the weather.)
It’s not a slur, because the ‘t’ in don’t and about is still there.
It’s not a lisp…
hawkeye
- 2,598
44
votes
11 answers
What is the term for a beginner who is already very good?
I am looking for a word or group of words to describe someone who just started doing something, but is already very good at it, or a beginner without faults. For example, it could be used in this sentence: "Although Mary had just started playing…
PotatoLatte
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44
votes
2 answers
In what cases should I use a comma after "please"?
As far as I can see from different texts, there seems to be no strict rule about putting comma after "Please" when it is used as an introduction to a request. Am I right?
In what cases using comma after "please" would be correct or even compulsory?…
rem
- 10,331
44
votes
1 answer
Why is Nebraska listed after other states?
I have noticed something that I do not understand: Why is Nebraska listed after other states that start with an N in their name? One example is on page 2 of the Don't Waste Your Money article J.C. Penny Postpones Store Closings by Sarah Kuta. It…
Gabriel Graves
- 547
44
votes
17 answers
What's a good idiom or saying to say "don't leave your current job before getting another"?
Someone asked me why I am looking for a new job while I am currently working. This got me thinking if there is a idiom that says something about it being wise to not leave your current job until you have another sure thing lined up etc.
Ghos3t
- 551
44
votes
12 answers
What is a good alternative for the reverse of a boycott?
Boycotting is a classic consumer strategy to, in a sense, vote with your feet or with your dollar against some business that is doing something you find troubling, whether integral to the business, like slaughtering practices for meat, or…
Mitch
- 71,423
44
votes
6 answers
What do you call a child for whom you act as a guardian / custodian?
What is the term for this, if there is such a term?
For example, if you're a parent, you refer to your offspring as a 'child' and the child refers to you as their 'parent'.
I am asking because I need to have a term for the relationship of a…
catandmouse
- 569
44
votes
5 answers
Why is the unit of measure placed before the value for currencies? Are there other measures where the unit precedes value?
$1,000 is pronounced as "one thousand dollars".
Reading from left to right, it seems like it would make more sense to write the value as:
1,000$. This way the pronunciation of the value follows the way it's written. Every other numerical value I can…
whoabackoff
- 2,805
44
votes
19 answers
Is there any equivalent for this Persian expression "____ is like an unopened watermelon"?
The Persian expression/ simile "____ is like an unopened (=uncut) watermelon" implies that you never know what the given (risky) issue/ choice will turn out to be until you proceed to experience or try it.
We use it specially for speaking about…
Soudabeh
- 9,217
44
votes
3 answers
What does "trodie" mean?
In "The Star Fraction" by Ken MacLeod, a Scottish science fiction author, a couple walks through a street and past a "trodie". The novel is set in Britain, so it may be a British expression. The street is in a future London.
Full sentence:…
44
votes
10 answers
Has "hacker" definitely gained a negative connotation?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a hacker as:
One who is proficient at using or programming a computer; a computer buff.
One who uses programming skills to gain illegal access to a computer network or file.
I was surprised to find a…
user66974
44
votes
24 answers
Is there an equivalent term to "Cold Turkey" for starting something instead of quitting something?
Cold Turkey is an idiom most commonly used when quitting something that is very difficult, like smoking or drugs all at once instead of gradually. Can you also start something "Cold Turkey" or is there another idiom that would be better? Replace the…
Drai
- 948
44
votes
9 answers
Using a comma before "but"
I was once told by an English professor that a comma should never be used before but in a sentence. For years, I have followed her advice but sometimes I just feel like it just needs to be there. On the other hand, my brain also tells me that the…
jon_brockman
- 559