Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 57
276. How is the word `bonhomie' pronounced?
There are several ways of pronouncing this word. I will deal with just two of them. One way is to pronounce the first `o' like the `o' in `pot', `got', and `hot', and the second `o' like the `a' in `china'. The final `ie' sounds like the `i' in `bit', `kit', and `sit'. The word, in this case, is pronounced `BO-ne-mi' with the stress on the first syllable. Some people pronounce the first `o' like the `a' in `bath', `path', and `ask', and the second like the `a' in `china'. They pronounce the final `ie' like the `ee' in `feel', `peel', and `heel'. The word is pronounced `baa-ne-MEE' with the stress on the final syllable. Either way, the `h' remains silent. This word of French origin literally means `good (bon) man (homme)'. The word is mostly used in formal contexts to mean `happy, good natured friendliness.' * The cheerful bonhomie displayed by the rival candidates surprised everyone. *** "Politicians and diapers need to be changed for the same reason." - Bumper sticker
277. Is it okay to say, `Rahul Gandhi denied to speak to the waiting media persons'?
No, it isn't. The word the author probably has in mind is `declined' and not `denied'. If you `decline to speak to someone', you refuse to speak to them. In this case, Rahul Gandhi refused to talk to the people from the media. Also, it is not correct to say `denied to speak': the word `deny' is seldom followed by `to'. One can `deny speaking to someone', not `deny to speaking to someone'. When you `deny speaking to someone', you are saying that you didn't speak to the individual. * Meera declined our invitation to make a presentation. *** "Politicians and diapers need to be changed for the same reason." - Bumper sticker
278. What is the difference between `complacent' and `complaisant'?
Let's deal with the pronunciation of the two words first. The `o' in the first syllable is like the `a' in `china'. The same is true of the `e' and `a' in the final syllable of both words. The second syllable in `complacent' is like the word `place', while the second syllable in `complaisant' is pronounced like the word `plays'. The two words are pronounced `kem-PLAY-sent' and `kem-PLAY-zent'. The stress, in both cases, is on the second syllable
Complacent means `self satisfied'; when you become complacent about something, you are so pleased with yourself and your abilities that you don't feel the need to put in the extra effort required to make something a success. The word is used to show disapproval. * After winning two tournaments in a row, he became complacent. Someone who is `complaisant' is ready to oblige people. His main aim is to please people, and is willing to do whatever they want him to. * If you are looking for a secretary who will be complaisant, hire Hema. *** "Politicians and diapers need to be changed for the same reason." - Bumper sticker
279. Does the word `yellular' exist?
You won't find this word listed in any standard dictionary, but it is being used. It is a combination of `yell' and `cellular'. When someone gets a call on his cell phone, and the connection is bad, what does the person do? In order to be heard, he usually shouts: as if the yelling will make the connection any better! This act of shouting in the hope that you will be audible is called `yellullar'. * Some idiot on the train went yellular at three in the morning.
280. What is the difference between a ‘hotel’ and a ‘motel’?
The word ‘motel’ is a combination of two words: ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’. In the old days, motels were invariably located on highways; they were mostly used by people who were travelling by car. Unlike a hotel, the rooms of a motel are not located inside a building. In the past, a motel usually consisted of a single row of connected rooms built on a parking lot. Nowadays, we have motels in the heart of cities, and they sometimes contain more than one floor. A motel is usually much cheaper than a hotel; the services it offers are rather limited: it usually doesn’t have a restaurant, and as a result doesn’t provide room service. The word ‘motel’, like the word ‘hotel’ has the stress on the second syllable.
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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