POST OFFICE REGULATIONS – 2024 -1

 Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 80

390. What is the difference between "intuitively" and "instinctively"?

 If someone were to shine a bright light on your face, you would automatically close or shield your eyes. You would do these things without even thinking. They are responses you are born with; they are "innate". This is what we mean by "instinctively". We respond to things without really understanding why we react that way. Our responses are automatic; whatever happens, happens unconsciously. Both animals and human beings are born with instincts. *When Raju heard gunfire, he instinctively dived/dove for cover. When you do something intuitively, you do react automatically, but in this case there is a suggestion that you understand what it is you are doing. You are able to figure out a solution to your problem in a fraction of a second without really thinking about it. The story goes that the structure of Benzene came to the chemist Kekule in a sudden moment of insight. This is a case of intuition, not instinct. The word "intuition" is mostly used with human beings, and not with animals. *Hari intuitively began to attack his opponent's backhand. 

391. What is the meaning of "modus vivendi"?

In Latin, it means a "manner of living", or a "way of life". In English, however, the expression is not used to mean this. It is used to refer to a compromise, usually temporary, between two parties that are fighting each other. One often hears this expression used by foreign ministers. If someone in the foreign ministry were to say, "If India and Pakistan want to avoid a nuclear holocaust, a modus vivendi must be attained," what he means is that despite the many differences, the two countries must find a way of coexisting peacefully. *The two rival gangs managed to achieve a sort of modus vivendi. 

392. What is the meaning of "once bitten twice shy"?

If you fall in love with a girl and the girl ditches you, what would your reaction be? You would probably be really angry, but at the same time you would be scared to fall in love again. Having had a bad experience previously, you would be reluctant to put yourself in the same situation again. That's what the idiom, "once bitten twice shy", means. *The caterer arrived three hours late last time, so Rama is not hiring him again. I guess it's a case of once bitten twice shy. *The last time he ate fish, he almost choked. He's stopped eating fish altogether — once bitten twice shy. 

393. How is the word "brochure" pronounced?

The "o" sounds like the "oa" in "oat", "boat", and "goat". The following "ch" is pronounced like the "sh" in "should", "ship", and "sharp". The final "ure" sounds like the "er" in "her" and "herd". The main stress is on the first syllable. This is how the British pronounce the word. The Americans, on the other hand, pronounce the "ure" like the "ure" in "sure", "cure" and "pure". They tend to put the stress on the second syllable. A "brochure" is a booklet containing information about something. *We want to bring out a brochure for the upcoming seminar. ***** ***** ***** "In my judgment, when the United States says there will be serious consequences, and if there isn't serious consequences, it creates adverse consequences." — George W. Bush 

A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper 

Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above