Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 108
487. What is the meaning and origin of "beyond the pale"?
When someone behaves in an unacceptable or an uncivilised manner, you can say that his behaviour was "beyond the pale". The idiom can also be used to refer to people's actions. *Rajagopal's behaviour at the meeting was beyond the pale. *Sushmita is never invited to parties because her behaviour is considered beyond the pale. The word "pale" in the idiom has nothing to do with colour. The word in this case comes from the Latin "palus", meaning, "stake". In the old days "stakes" or wooden poles were used to mark one's territory. Everything that was within the "pale" or the wooden fence belonged to you, and the land that was outside it, belonged to someone else. The expression "beyond the pale" began to be used in the 14th century when parts of Ireland came under the English rule. Territories that were "within the pale" belonged to the English; those that were outside it, belonged to the Irish. The English, as you may expect, didn't have a very good opinion of their neighbours. They thought that the Irish were crude; people who didn't know how to behave in a civilised manner. So when someone says your behaviour is beyond the pale, what he means is that you are behaving like an Irishman!
488. How is the word "obdurate" pronounced?
The first syllable is like the "ob" in "sob", "mob", and "lob". The following "u" is pronounced like the "u" in "pull" and "full". The "a" is like the "a" in "china", and the final "e" is silent. The main stress is on the first syllable. When you say that someone is obdurate, you are implying that he/she is very stubborn. The word is mostly used in formal contexts. The minister found it difficult to implement changes because his department heads were obdurate defenders of the old policies. *Raju's obdurate refusal to speak in his mother tongue worried his parents.
489. What is the difference between "odour" and "smell"?
Tell your significant other that you like his/her "odour" and see how he/she reacts! Chances are the person will never speak to you again. The word "odour" has a negative connotation; it means foul smell. An odour can never smell good; it's always bad. *The odour of rotting fish almost made me vomit. *The odour from his dirty socks was disgusting.
A smell, on the other hand, can be either good or bad. You can talk about the smell of rotten eggs and the smell of perfume.
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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