Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 63
306. What is the meaning of ‘as good as it gets’?
When you tell a person that something is ‘as good as it gets’, what you mean is that his present situation is the best that he can hope for. His situation is not going to improve in any way, and therefore he shouldn’t hope that things will change for the better in future. If he continues to keep his fingers crossed, he is going to be very disappointed. *There is no point in shouting and getting upset. This is as good as it gets. The expression can also be used to mean ‘the best’. *Some people say that when it comes to vacation, Goa is as good as it gets.
307. How is the expression ‘nolens volens’ pronounced?
The ‘o’ in the two words is like the ‘o’ in ‘no’, and ‘go’; the ‘e’ is like the ‘e’ in ‘set’, and ‘get’. The final ‘s’ sounds like the ‘z’ in ‘zip’, and ‘zoo’. The word is pronounced ‘no-lenz VO-lenz’ with the stress on ‘vo’. This Latin expression means ‘whether unwilling or willing’. One is compelled to do something whether one wishes to or not. *When the market crashed, the CEO was compelled nolens volens to quit his job.
308. Which is correct: ‘close proximity’ or ‘closed proximity’?
The first is preferable to the second. You don’t say ‘closed proximity’. It is always ‘close proximity’, ‘close lipped’, and ‘close minded’. We often hear people using the expression ‘close proximity’. Careful users of the language, however, frown upon this: as far as they are concerned, both ‘close proximity’ and ‘closed proximity’ are wrong. They feel that the word ‘close’ in ‘close proximity’ is redundant: after all, the word proximity means ‘near’. Another common error we all make is ‘herewith enclosed’. ‘Enclosed’ will do; you don’t need ‘herewith’.
309. What is the meaning of ‘noisome’?
First, let’s deal with the pronunciation of the word. The ‘oi’ in the first syllable is like the ‘oy’ in ‘toy’, ‘boy’, and ‘coy’. The ‘o’ in the second syllable is like the ‘a’ in ‘china’, and the final ‘e’ is silent. The word is pronounced ‘NOY-sem’ with the stress on the first syllable. When you refer to something as being ‘noisome’, what you mean is that it is very disgusting or offensive. *The noisome odour made quite a few guests throw up. The word can also be used to mean ‘harmful’ or ‘dangerous’. *The scientists did everything they could to stop the spread of the noisome fumes. ****** “It is better for civilization to be going down the drain than to be coming up it.” — Henry Allen
310. What is the difference between `histrionics' and `hysterics'?
During elections, we sometimes have politicians telling the world that they will be seeking the blessings of their parents before they `file their nomination papers'. Instead of making this a private affair, they invite a lot of people from the press to witness the event. As the photographers start to click their cameras, the politician falls at his mother's feet, and when he gets up, he begins to weep uncontrollably. The parents break down as well, and the next day we see a picture of the three in a tight embrace. We know that the politician is putting on a show; the overly dramatic behaviour is for the sake of the cameras. This deliberate display of insincere and rather exaggerated emotion is called `histrionics'. The word comes from the Latin `histrio' meaning `actor', and it is usually used to show disapproval. Cut out the histrionics, will you? We know that you are not as crazy as you pretend to be. When you are in `hysterics', you laugh or weep uncontrollably. Unlike in the case of `histrionics', the emotions you display are spontaneous, not planned. The word comes from the Latin `hystera' meaning `womb'. In the old days, it was thought such uncontrollable fits of crying or laughter were common only among women: people believed that women had hysterics because of specific female health problems. The new man gave a brilliant performance. He has us in hysterics.
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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