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1500 questions
37
votes
9 answers
What is the original connection between "nurse" and "sister"?
In Hebrew, the difference between the words "Sister" and "Brother" is that "Sister" has an additional suffix, as might be expected given the structure of the language. Also, the Hebrew word for a female nurse and the word for "Sister" are the same…
Meitar
- 499
37
votes
3 answers
Is there a non-medical name for the curve where index finger and thumb meet?
I'm trying to write a short post about hand spinners, and one of the problems I have with a hand spinner is that it hits the curve between the index finger and thumb. I can't seem to find any good diagrams with terms for parts of the hand which…
Mar
- 937
37
votes
3 answers
Why is "whomse" not a word?
I often hear people say something like
For whose benefit is that?
Should it not be
For whomse benefit is that
Who -> Whom
Whose -> Whomse
I know "whomse" is not a real word. My question is: why doesn't it exist?
Albert Renshaw
- 711
37
votes
22 answers
Proper way to address a very small group that includes both sexes
What is the proper way to address a light email/message to a small group of 2-or-3 people, where the group includes both sexes? I normally just use the term "guys" as in "Hey guys" or "Good morning guys".
However, I'm wondering if I'm alienating…
WEFX
- 503
37
votes
5 answers
Is “might could” a correct construct?
I have a friend from the southern U.S. who uses the phrase “might could” quite often. He’ll say, for example:
I might could do that this weekend.
When I first heard him say this, it made me do a double-take. I wasn’t sure whether it’s incorrect,…
Doug T.
- 2,690
37
votes
11 answers
Intentionally committing hypocrisy, to show a wrong-doer why you think what they do is wrong
I am looking for a word/idiom to describe the act of doing something against your beliefs so another person can experience the receiving end of the act.
You dislike being blinded by high-beams while driving, so you retaliate by turning the…
Cassius40k
- 473
37
votes
2 answers
How far back in time could I travel and still be understood?
I have seen several times on TV documentaries where the presenter is taken to something like a library archive, and shown a book which they proceed to read an excerpt from.
On a couple of occasions the camera has shown the text they were reading and…
Craig H
- 897
37
votes
3 answers
Origin of "ballpark estimate" to mean a very rough estimate?
I'm wondering where the term "ballpark estimate" comes from? Sometimes "ballpark" is said stand-alone to mean a rough estimate, as in "these numbers are a ballpark". I understand it must come from baseball or some other sport. Does it refer to the…
Doug T.
- 2,690
37
votes
11 answers
A word for really thin book pages
I have recently got a book which is almost 700 pages in A4 format. To save the costs, it was printed on very thin paper and with low-coverage ink.
I am looking for a single word or an idiom for very, very thin book pages.
Particular usage:
Despite…
eimyr
- 531
37
votes
9 answers
How to describe a person who has done well in every task except one, but he has done extremely bad in that 'one' task
I mean, "How to describe a person who has done well in every task except one, but he has done extremely bad in that 'one' task which adversely affects the overall result.
I don't literally mean one though.
For example, someone gets extremely good…
Perceptioner
- 544
37
votes
19 answers
Word for dismissing someone's opinions as racist, liberal, etc, instead of debating back
I'm looking for either a single word or phrase that would describe either someone or the action of dismissing someone's opinions as something "socially unpopular", without giving any reasoning why, either just to spite them, because they have a poor…
Pyritie
- 678
37
votes
8 answers
What is the difference between "as per" and "according to"?
See the following two sentences.
As per my knowledge it is right.
According to my knowledge it is right.
Are both the sentences right?
What is the difference and use of "as per" and "according to"?
chanchal1987
- 1,866
37
votes
3 answers
“Programming” versus “programing”: which is preferred?
I was surprised that my spell checker did not complain for programing with one m, so I Googled it, and found on free dictionaries that both forms were acceptable.
Which one is more common? Does it depend on the geographical location? My perception…
Ciro Santilli OurBigBook.com
- 525
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- 11
37
votes
5 answers
Which is the proper spelling: "Adapter" or "adaptor"?
In my current project we are writing a program to convert a newer protocol to an older one.
These conversion programs are being referred to as adapters, but the team cannot agree which spelling to use: adapter or adaptor.
I personally plump for…
James Anderson
- 1,033
37
votes
21 answers
What do you call a response which does not address the question?
When some one is asked a question, sometimes if they are trying to avoid answering the question, they respond with something unrelated. What is the word for that response?
Eg. A: Why were you late?
B: This bagel tastes good.
What I am looking…
Jacques
- 381