If your mom has ever told you she couldn’t be more proud, maybe she said it because it was true. But before you start feeling all the warm fuzzies, maybe it was just a matter of linguistics. “More proud” isn’t really a thing. She couldn’t be “more proud,” because that combination of words isn’t technically correct.
I feel like I might have just broken some hearts. Don’t worry. I’m sure your mom couldn’t be prouder of you. (That’s the correct form of the sentiment.)
It’s time to get schooled on a “school of fish” vs. “shoal of fish.” Here’s your hint: one of them shoals, and one of them “schools.” Did that help? What do you mean “No”?
This is a tip designed to make you look savvy, since most people aren’t aware of a difference.
You know who has some awesome leg work? This kid. I don’t think this is quite what you mean.
The Rockettes do leg work. MMA fighters do leg work. Kids with mad soccer skills do leg work. If you’re talking about research and preparation, your legs probably shouldn’t get as much of a shout-out as you seem to be giving them.
The idea of “legwork,” as a single word, dates back to the 1890s. It seems to have originated in reference to literal running around in preparation for a greater creative or mental pursuit, but today, your legs don’t have to be involved.
Bonus points to anyone who knows what part of speech “this” and “that” are! (See the end of the blog for the answer.)
If you’re talking about this, that, and the other, does everyone else in the conversation have a clue about what you’re discussing?
“This” and “that” are great words. They help with specificity when you’re talking about this bird in a nearby tree versus that bird over on the wind vane. They help distinguish between this mongoose and the one named Rikki Tikki Tavi. However, when you start dropping “this” and “that” into your writing without any clarifying words, it’s a bit like posting unfinished signage on a road. It’s often a bit confusing.
Okay, sometimes my blog images scare me a little. This is another one of those times.
I have good news for you. Contrary to what you might have heard, there’s no such thing as a “poisonous” snake. (Well, almost no such thing. We’ll get back to this.*)
But here’s the bad news, this doesn’t make your next romp through leaf piles in the woods any safer.
If you’re talking ‘bout the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees and the moon up above, you might be tackling this thing called “love,” but here’s a hint: if you’re writing about a lover ravaging another, it’s not a happy love story.
To take it up a notch—and maybe a few decades forward—let’s talk about what’s happening when it’s getting hot in here.
Have you ever been given short shrift? How about a short shift? It’s time to know the difference.
If you’re working nine to five, you don’t have a short shift. Depending on your job, you might feel like you’re often given short shrift, though.
If you go out shopping, maybe you could buy a short shift dress. You wouldn’t want to buy a short shrift dress, because one, it doesn’t sound like a power piece for your wardrobe, and two, I really don’t have a clue what that might look like. Maybe you could just blame that one on bad signage, I suppose. Someone should have done some editing.
Remember, if you’re looking for the phrase meaning ignored or given little consideration, “short shrift” is correct.
“Shrift” is an old word referring to confession that we don’t generally see anymore. The expression “short shrift” was used for the first time by Shakespeare in Richard III, and in this usage, it was referring to a literal brief confession. The metaphoric use that we’re familiar with today didn’t come until centuries later.
“Short shift” is a common enough typo, but it’s not one that you want to repeat or wear or print on any retail signage.
I’m sure Smokey the Bear would have something to say about this. Or maybe even Rogue Smokey… that guy’s burns would spread like wildfire.
Some days are full of social media burns so severe people are looking for ointment. Other days, people are posting charred Pinterest fails of recipes gone wrong. But the word that comes up again and again is that “burn.”
Have you ever been “burned” by bad spelling? Ever been “burnt” by it? Is there a difference?
Mind your “P”s and “Q”s and your spelling, please.
It’s time to mind our manners, everyone, and today, I’m not just talking about communicating with respect. I’m talking about knowing the difference between “manner” vs. “manor.”
Communicating with your pinkie up in the air isn’t quite cutting it here.
