Tagged Questions
5
votes
1answer
113 views
Pool or billiards in 1890s American South?
Which term is more likely to have been used in Georgia around 1893? I found a British website which explains the origin of the modern game known as American pool ...
1
vote
0answers
67 views
What were fedoras called in the 1890s? [closed]
I am aware that fedoras were just coming into fashion in the 1890s. Were they called "fedoras" or was there some other name for them used back then?
2
votes
4answers
176 views
“Hot cakes” or “flapjacks” in 1890s American South?
Which term is more likely to have been used by my main character, a young man from a wealthy Macon, Georgia family, in 1893?
2
votes
3answers
99 views
What word describes the shape of a whirlwind when seen from above?
What word describes the shape of a whirlwind when seen from above?
Swirl
Whorl
Radial
The shape they make when seen from above resembles a radial pattern or even a whorl.
2
votes
1answer
66 views
Cologne or toilet water?
I am writing a novel set in 1890s Georgia (United States), and I am wondering whether the main character, a young man of eighteen, would refer to eau de toilette as cologne, toilet water, or something ...
-1
votes
3answers
75 views
“Testification” in US English
The usage of Dieter Wisclieceny’s statements and testifications from
the Nuremberg Trials as the basis for the interrogation and trial of
Eichmann is also accurate.
In Microsoft word, the ...
0
votes
1answer
206 views
Use of “Pretty cool, huh?”
Would it be grammatically correct to use "Pretty cool, huh?" or would you need to use e.g: "Pretty cool, right?"
I think that the "huh" would be asking a "what?", although that doesn't make sense in ...
1
vote
2answers
111 views
Prepositions and Corners
Does one use "on" or "at" in the following:
Kate met him at the corner
Kate met him on the corner.
Or are they the same?
10
votes
3answers
175 views
“You are likely to [verb]” vs. “you are like to [verb]”
In a recent answer to another question, a fellow poster just used the following turn of phrase:
The nearest you’re like to get is [word][.]
I only ever saw and used "you’re likely to..." myself, ...
0
votes
3answers
3k views
“Please note” vs. “please notice” [closed]
When I'm writing a text and want to ask the reader to pay close attention to a point, should I write "Please note" or "Please notice"? Is there any difference?
1
vote
1answer
125 views
Do Americans use the term “garburator” or is there a better equivalent?
Is it obsolete to use the term garburator to refer to a garbage disposal unit in a kitchen? If it is, do we have a better term to replace it with?
Also, what is the etymology of this word?
0
votes
0answers
6k views
“Thank you, everyone” or “Thank you, everybody”? [closed]
It is Thanksgiving. My wife wants to write new Skype status and to say 'thank you' to people who help and support, and just to everyone who will read it. So, what is correct, and/or more commonly ...
1
vote
4answers
304 views
Synonyms for “curate” in US English
What synonyms are there for "curate", as in (to quote here) to
select, organize, and present (suitable content, typically for online or computational use), using professional or expert knowledge
...
2
votes
2answers
97 views
US English — “primary grains being produced” vs. “major cereals being produced”
I am correcting a Spanish-to-English translation that states,
The primary grains being produced in the world are maize, wheat, rice, barley, sorghum and oats.
I would prefer to use cereals ...
2
votes
4answers
330 views
US and UK English: queue or waiting line?
What do you usually say, depending on the context and depending if it's US or UK English?
wait in line or queue
1
vote
2answers
161 views
What is more commonly used in US? “Cum Laude” or “With Honors”?
I understand that the terms Cum Laude and With Honors are interchangeable, but which one is better understood in US and more commonly used?
0
votes
3answers
476 views
“Acted in the benefit of ” vs. “acted for the benefit of ” vs. “acted to the benefit of ”
I am not sure about this quote:
As to whether the president acted for the benefit of the majority, 35 percent of the respondents said that he did not, 30 percent that he only partly acted in the ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Correct way of saying “errands to run” [closed]
Which is the correct way to tell someone that I have errands to run?
Are all of these fine to say in person and in an email?
I got some errands to run
or is it
I have errands to run
or
...
0
votes
3answers
550 views
Use “underway” or “under way” as an adverb?
Is it proper to use underway as an adverb? Or should under way be used?
Merriam-Webster defines underway as an adjective and under way as an adverb.
The Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & ...
6
votes
6answers
2k views
Is there a different understanding of “rubber” in British and American English?
I was well aware of the different meanings of rubber, not least because there are the same definitions in my mother-tongue. However, while reading a text about differences between British and American ...
0
votes
1answer
136 views
What do you call those stuff published in craigslist.com?
I was thinking about the word of those things which are published in craigslist.com and whether if I should call them ads? list? commercials? notice? promotion? flyers? or something else.
To clear ...
3
votes
3answers
935 views
“Ground floor” vs. “first floor”
Is the bottom-most floor (on ground level not the basement) "ground floor" or "first floor" in America?
3
votes
2answers
2k views
“Invite” vs. “invitation”
I hear a lot of people saying "Send me an invite". I always thought that it was an 'invitation'. Is "sending one an invite" accepted usage? Or is it incorrect? If I need to get my wedding invitation ...
4
votes
4answers
660 views
What is the correct relative pronoun for “government”?
What is the correct relative pronoun for "government"? Which of the following phrases is correct? I am writing for an American [English] audience.
The Queensland Government, who licenses several ...
9
votes
6answers
4k views
“On/at/for/over the weekend” in American English
Some sources say that "at the weekend" is wrong, while other ones say it's correct. Which form is acceptable in American English?
On Saturdays her sister Ann usually comes to stay with Mary ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
“In college” versus “at college” versus “at university” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Which one is more correct: “works at a university” or “works in a university”?
It seems that only in the U.S. one says that they are or were "in ...
1
vote
0answers
128 views
Does the word “excitation” exist? [closed]
I've recently listened to an old hit by the Beach Boys and I was surprised by the lyrics where the word "excitation" is so frequently repeated. Does it really exist, perhaps as a regional term? I ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
“Have a breakfast” or “eat a breakfast” in AmE
Which expression do Americans prefer, have a breakfast or eat a breakfast?
7
votes
6answers
6k views
'Expired' or 'Passed away'?
When someone dies, do we say they expired or passed away?
Does the word expired give any more respect when used? Or less respect than passed away?
4
votes
2answers
200 views
Does “Stop aping!” sound natural?
A teenager is acting in a very silly and annoying way making faces and rapidly changing his postures. His father gets really annoyed by it and tells him "Stop aping!"
Does "Stop aping!" go okay here ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
“And to you” or “you too”?
I really like to chat with English folks, so I have wished them Merry Christmas. To my surprise I have noticed the following pattern — the British answered "and to you", but Americans "you too". The ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
“Facade” vs. “façade”
I know that both facade and façade are valid in British English. Is that also true for American English? Or should facade be used when writing something for American customers?
This is something that ...
5
votes
2answers
825 views
Is this an example of litotes?
In Macbeth's Tomorrow speech
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace
from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our
yesterdays have lighted ...
8
votes
4answers
9k views
“Checked shirt” vs “check shirt”
My son is learning English as a foreign language and I notice a mixture of British and American words in his vocab lists. Is there such thing as a checked shirt, or should it be a check shirt?
2
votes
1answer
159 views
“Is Ken home?” or “Is Ken at home?”
When you ask someone if your buddy Ken is at home or not, what is the correct question, "Is Ken home?" or "Is Ken at home?"?
I'm pretty sure both of those are correct, since I've seen a lot of times ...
4
votes
3answers
867 views
“Aeroplane” or “Airplane” - Which are people more familiar with? [closed]
I'm considering creating an application which has the word "Aeroplane" in the title. However, I have noticed in Google the following trend:
Aeroplane: 16,700,000 results
Airplane: 119,000,000 ...
0
votes
1answer
307 views
Is it less than $100 or under $100? Is it more than $100 or is it over $100?
I am building a web site and need to clarify something for a non-U.S. customer. It's whether to use "less than/more than" or "under/over".
items less than $100.00
items from $100.00 to $500.00
...
3
votes
3answers
728 views
“Late to the party” vs. “late for the party”
I've heard both versions, usually in similar contexts. Which one is correct or more correct — or more prevalent — in the USA?
He: This deal ends at 7 p.m.
She: Sucks, I am late to the party.
3
votes
3answers
156 views
“Transitioning” vs. “transitional” phase
I am wondering if it is correct to say:
This is a transitioning phase.
Personally, I would say
This is a transitional phase.
but my friend insists that the above is just as correct as my ...
1
vote
3answers
516 views
“Referenced in” or “referenced from”?
Which of these sentences is more correct?
ABC should not be referenced from file X.
ABC should not be referenced in file X.
2
votes
3answers
984 views
Which of these two sentences is correct (“processes” vs. “process”)?
Which of the following two sentences is correct?
Read more about the processes behind my projects.
...or...
Read more about the process behind my projects.
The one on top looks right ...
3
votes
2answers
928 views
A or an XML report? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Do you use “a” or “an” before acronyms?
Does one use 'a' or 'an' before the word 'X-Ray'?
Quite simply, should a sentence read "a XML report" ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
“On which” or “upon which”
Today, I am writing technical documentation that instructs the user how to install software to a server. I encountered the following sentence and am unsure which is correct:
When installing to a ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Use of “Sure” in reply to help offering and to appreciation
In American English, "sure" is often heard in reply to offering help or expressing appreciation. I was wondering if it may not be a good choice? For example,
- Would you like a cup of water? - ...
6
votes
1answer
472 views
Why is “ouster” the act of ousting and not one who ousts?
The question should be clear enough from the title.
Also: What are we supposed to call one who ousts? [If this warrants another question, I will edit this out and open another question.]
3
votes
8answers
521 views
What word describes interpreting evidence in such a way as to reach a desired conclusion?
Does anyone know what it's called when you interpret evidence to reach the conclusion you want?
12
votes
4answers
506 views
What are the possible meanings of positive “any more”?
Ordinary any more [usually with negative or in questions]
to any further extent; any longer:
she refused to listen any more
Positive any more is the use of the adverb any more in an ...
11
votes
2answers
856 views
Preventative vs. preventive
In this answer about the non-word disabilitated, the word preventative is compared (unfavourably, if my reading of the implication is correct) to preventive.
However, I have always used preventative, ...
5
votes
3answers
923 views
“Cleats” vs. “soccer shoes”
I used to say cleats but found it uncommon for some people, though I had no trouble with soccer shoes. I have always lived in a Spanish-speaking country (Nicaragua) so I find it hard to know why that ...
4
votes
4answers
630 views
Is there a term for “mains power” in American English?
I'm not sure if this is a case of selective memory, or if it's real.
It seems that Americans do not use the term "mains power," which is common in British English. The closest synonym I know is "wall ...
