Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 141
586. Is it okay to say, `Heartfelt congratulations!'?
I asked several people about this, and all of them said, `No'. But according to the Oxford Collocations Dictionary, it is all right to say, `heartfelt congratulations'. You should remember, however, the word `heartfelt' meaning `sincere' is used when we are deeply stirred or moved by something. It is usually associated with emotions linked with sadness. One can talk about `heartfelt sympathies', `heartfelt condolences', etc. But it is also possible to say, `heartfelt thanks' and `heartfelt joy'. `Hearty', on the other hand, suggests high spiritedness, vigour and energy. You can talk about `hearty laughter', `hearty appetite', etc. You cannot say `hearty condolences'.
587. What is the meaning of `catch as catch can'?
Sometimes in order to achieve something or complete a task, you resort to any method available to you. You are not too worried about whether what you are doing is ethical or not; you are intent on achieving your goal. As a result, you end up doing things in an unplanned and an unsystematic manner. This is what `catch as catch can' means. The idiom has more or less the same meaning as `no holds barred'. *When his former partner complained that he was taking away his clients, Rahul told him that in business it was a case of catch as catch can. Are you a fan of WWF wrestling? If you are, then you will understand what the word `catch' refers to. In freestyle wrestling, there are no restrictions on how you can hold your opponent. You can `catch' or hold him/her in any way you can.
588. Why is 26 December called `Boxing Day'?
The word `boxing' has nothing to do with the sport; it has to do with boxes in which you put things. During the Christmas season a lot of people attend church and while they are there, they donate money and other goodies to the poor. The money and gifts are put in a box, and this is called a Christmas box. The boxes are opened by a priest the day after Christmas, and he in turn distributes the contents to the needy. This is why 26 December is called Boxing Day. For most cricket fans in India, `Boxing Day' is always associated with the first day of a test match in Australia.
589. What is the meaning of `period' in the following sentence? `He is an intelligent man. Period.'
Very often people use the word `period' after they have made a statement or stated an opinion. What they mean by this is that they are very sure about what they have said, and do not wish to discuss the matter. Your sentence suggests that the speaker is very certain that the person is very intelligent, and the matter needn't be discussed any further. *There is no way that I am going to help Shashi. Period.
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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