Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 115
508. Is it OK to say, "staffs"?
If you are using the word to refer to people who work in the same organisation, then, you generally use "staff" and not "staffs". The word "staff" can be followed by a singular or a plural verb. *The staff have decided not to accept the offer made by the government. *I understand that the staff is terribly worried about the on-going strike. An individual who works for an organisation is referred to as "member of staff". *Atul expects every member of staff to be present at the meeting. The word "staffs" is being used both in British and American English to refer to more than one group of people — individuals working for different organisations. *The minister and his staff were present at the meeting. *The two ministers and their staffs were present at the meeting. "The pistol of a flower is its only protection against insects." — A student
509. How was your trip to Hyderabad?"
"Hyderabad! They should rename the city `Manholebad'. They leave the manholes open during the monsoon season." "Yes, I read about that. Tell me, is something bothering you? Why is it you look so angry? "I don't know if I should talk about it. You will probably think... ." "Come on! Spit it out!" "Spit it out? There's nothing to spit out. I have nothing in my mouth." "You know that's not what I meant. When you tell someone, `spit it out', what you want the person to do is talk. You want the person to tell you what is on his mind." "I see. It's another way of saying, `tell me' or `say it'." "Exactly! The expression is mostly used in informal contexts." "How does this sound? What's your problem? Don't just stand there looking angry. Spit it out."
510. "Sounds great! Here's another example. Come on Satish, you don't need to be shy. Spit it out." "Why is it that you don't want to marry me? Tell me the truth. Spit it out." "What kind of an example is that? Anyway, tell me what is bothering you. Don't just sit there looking sad. It's driving me bonkers." "Driving me bonkers! Does it mean the same thing as `driving me crazy'?" "Yes, it does. Someone who is `bonkers' acts in a silly or crazy fashion. The new rule that has been introduced in the club is driving everyone bonkers." "Sulochana's kids are hyperactive. Whenever they visit us, they drive my mom bonkers." "Venu was bonkers to ask for such a big raise." "How about this example? The children went bonkers when they saw the cake and the ice cream." "That's a good example. It is also possible to say, `nuts'. It has the same meaning as `bonkers'." "The way people drive in our city. It drives me nuts." "Hey, this city is full of nuts. It's not surprising they drive you bonkers!" "I wish they'd... ." "Is that the reason you are in a blue funk? Because this city... .." "Blue funk? What are you talking about?" "When you say that someone is in a blue funk, what you mean is that he or she is looking sad or depressed." "I see. Does it mean the same thing as `feeling blue'?" "I guess you could say that. Here's an example. Listen to me Suman, you'd better start working on your project. Don't be in a blue funk. I assure you, things will get better." "When India lost in the World Cup final, I was in a blue funk for nearly two months." "That's a good example. Why are you in a blue funk now? Is it because the Sri Lankans tanked us again? Or is it... ." "Tanked us again? Does `tanked' mean `defeated'?" "Yes, that's right. In informal contexts `tanked' is used to mean `defeated'. It's one of the meanings of the word. When a team tanks you, they score more than you. For example, the moment I walked onto the field, I knew that our team would get tanked today." "Did you think that Sri Lanka would tank India in the final?"
511. "Listen, the West Indies, without their star players, almost tanked us. So, it didn't really surprise me that ... ." "That we lost to Sri Lanka in the final. I thought under a new coach, we would do much better." "You were nuts to think that. But hey, cheer up. We play Zimbabwe next. I am sure our overpaid underachievers will tank them." "If they don't, the entire nation will be in a blue funk." "I haven't committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law." — David Dinkins
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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