Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 87
418. What is the meaning of "too close to call"?
This is an expression we hear very often from reporters during elections and from commentators during one-day matches. When you say that a game is too close to call, what you mean is that it is evenly poised, it is almost impossible to predict which team will emerge the winner. When used during elections, what it implies is that the two candidates are running neck and neck and therefore predicting the ultimate winner is not possible right now. *The counting is going on. The result is too close to call.
419. Is it OK to say, "Wish you a Happy New Year 2005"?
No, it is not. When you want to greet someone on the New Year, you say, "Happy New Year" or "Wish you a Happy New Year". Do not include the actual year — in this case 2005 — along with the greeting. If you want to give importance to the year, then say, "Happy 2005" or "Wish you a Happy 2005".
420. What is the difference between "disposed of" and "disposed off"?
When you get rid of someone or something, you normally say "disposed of", not "disposed off". "Disposed off" is unacceptable. * I want to know how the murderer disposed of the bodies. In informal contexts, when you say that you disposed of someone, what you mean is that you killed him. Perhaps you hired someone to do the killing. * The don asked his hit man to dispose of his former accountant.
421. What is the difference between "blue collar worker" and "pink collar worker"?
A "blue collar worker" works in an industry and is always involved in manual labour. You will find this individual in factories sweating it out on the shop floor. You won't find him sitting behind a huge desk in an office. Nowadays, the term can be applied to both men and women. "Pink collar workers", on the other hand, are always women. Low paid jobs available in offices and restaurants are usually referred to "pink collar jobs". ***** ***** ***** "I wasn't kissing her, I was whispering in her mouth." — Chico Marx
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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