Grammarist

Mealy-mouthed

Grammarist — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:08:39 +0000

tending to say things in indirect, evasive, or deceptive ways.

Rivaled/rivaling vs. rivalled/rivalling

Grammarist — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:40:28 +0000

rivaled and rivaling in the U.S.; rivalled and rivalling everywhere else.

Fly-by-night

Grammarist — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:30:19 +0000

1. (especially of a business or businessperson) fraudulent or dishonest; 2. fleeting or insubstantial.

Lay out vs. layout

Grammarist — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:37:45 +0000

Lay out (verb): 1. make a plan; 2. knock to the ground; 3. explain; 4. display; 5. arrange; 6. prepare (a corpse) for a funeral. Layout (noun): 1. a plan; 2. the arrangement of elements in a space.

Mirandize

Grammarist — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:39:23 +0000

to inform an arrested suspect of his or her right to silence and legal counsel.

Aid vs. aide

Grammarist — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:55:14 +0000

An aide is someone who helps. An aid is something that helps.

Memento mori

Grammarist — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:08:57 +0000

a reminder of mortality.

Affective vs. effective

Grammarist — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:57:54 +0000

Affective: of or relating to emotion. Effective: producing a desired effect.

Chafe vs. chaff

Grammarist — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 04:51:31 +0000

Chafe: to irritate by rubbing. Chaff: 1. husks of corn or grain separated by threshing; 2. straw or hay fed to cattle; 3. worthless or leftover matter.

Idle, idol, idyll

Grammarist — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:34:10 +0000

Idol: an object of worship. Idle: inactive. Idyll: a tranquil natural scene.