Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 93
442. What is the meaning and origin of "water off a duck's back"?
Although the duck spends a lot of time in water, the water never stays on its feathers for long. This is because its feathers are coated with oil and this prevents the water from being absorbed. As a result, when the bird steps out of the water, it is able to shake it off within a matter of a few seconds. Spending a considerable amount of time in a pond or a lake seems to have no effect on the bird. Similarly, when you criticise someone and it has no effect on him/her, then you can say that the criticism was like water off a duck's back. Here are a few examples. *I have scolded Achala several times for being lazy and sloppy, but it's just water off a duck's back to her
443. How is the word "entrepreneurship" pronounced?
The first syllable is like the word "on", and the "e" in the second and third syllable is pronounced like the "a" in "china". The "eur" in the fourth syllable is like the "er" in "herd" and "nerd". The final syllable is pronounced like the word "ship"; the main stress is on "eur". An "entrepreneur", as you probably know, refers to someone who sets up a business; he usually starts something new. Therefore when you refer to "entrepreneurship" you are talking about the activities associated with an entrepreneur. The word is of French origin. By the way, the word "entrepreneur" has given rise to a new word, "intrapreneur". Like an entrepreneur, this individual starts something new as well. But unlike the entrepreneur, an "intrapreneur" doesn't set up a business of his own. He works within an organisation and comes up with new inventions.
444. Is it OK to say, "He telephoned to Mr. X"
When the word "telephone" is used as a verb, it is not followed by "to". You telephone someone and not "telephone to" someone. It is like the word "call". Remember, when you ring someone up, you "call him", you do not "call to him". Here are a few examples. *Ananya telephoned her friend and told her she wouldn't be coming. "The main problem with the French is that they have no word for `entrepreneur'." — George. W. Bush
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
Post a Comment