Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 98
458. What is the meaning of "Argus eyed"?
It means to be watchful or vigilant. *The police were watching the proceedings, Argus-eyed. *The students found it difficult to get past the Argus-eyed watchman. Argus was a giant who had fifty pairs of eyes. Juno, wife of Zeus, asked him to keep an eye on her heifer (young cow) Io. The vigilant Argus stood guard, and when he felt drowsy, he allowed only two of his eyes to fall asleep. The remaining forty-nine pairs of eyes were focussed on Io. Unfortunately for the giant, the messenger of the gods, Mercury, became interested in the heifer and decided to steal it. In order to achieve this, he began playing his lyre. The music was so soothing that Argus fell asleep - all one hundred eyes closed. Mercury drew his sword and promptly chopped off the giant's head. When Juno saw what had happened, she removed the eyes from the head of the giant and placed them all on the tail of a peacock. I guess this explains why we talk about the eye of a peacock's feather.
459. How is "imbroglio" pronounced?
The "i" in the first and third syllable is like the "i" in "dim", "rim" and "vim". The "o" in the second and the final syllable is like the "o" in "go", "so", and "no". The "g" is silent, and the main stress is on the second syllable "bro". A complicated or confusing situation is usually referred to as an imbroglio. The word is normally used in formal contexts. *The world is trying to find a solution to the Iraq imbroglio.
460. Which is correct? "I gave to nanny the keys" or "I gave the keys to nanny"?
The second sentence is correct. One usually gives something to someone. *The new student gave a rose to John. It is also possible to give someone something. In this case, "to" is not used. You do not "give to someone". *Please give the architect these diagrams.
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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