Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 145
602. What is the difference between `defence' and `defense'?
We know that when it comes to spelling, there is some difference between American and British English. This pair is another example. The British spell it `defence' and the Americans spell it `defense'. Donald Rumsfeld, for example, is the `Secretary of Defense'. There are many pairs of words in English which are spelt both with a `c' and an `s'. For example, advice, advise and practice, practise. In the two examples, the noun form of the word is spelt with a `c' and the verb form is spelt with an `s'.
603. I don't find `bitter gourd' in the dictionary. Does the vegetable have another name?
I understand that the vegetable is also called `balsam apple' and `balsam pear'.
604. What is the meaning of `da bomb'?
This is a slang expression of recent origin and is normally used to talk about a person or a thing. When you refer to an individual as being `da bomb' or `the bomb' what you mean is that he/she is outstanding. The expression is mostly used in American English. *You should see the movie. I tell you, it is da bomb. *You are taking a course with Jai? I am told when it comes to teaching, he is da bomb. "There are three ways to get something done: 1) Do it yourself; 2) Hire someone to do it for you; 3) Forbid your kids to do it." — Unknown
605. What is the meaning of `go the whole hog'?
This is an expression mostly used in informal contexts. When you `go the whole hog', you do something thoroughly; you do not compromise in any way. It has the same meaning as `go all the way'. Americans tend to say `go whole hog'. *When the mechanic told me how much it would cost to repair the old car, I decided to go whole hog and buy a new one instead. *Gayathri went the whole hog and bought matching slippers and earrings to go with her new dress. According to one theory, the `hog' in the idiom doesn't refer to a pig, but to money. In the 18th Century, the word `hog' was a slang term for `shilling'. So when you went the whole hog, you spent the entire shilling at once. The expression became popular in the United States when Andrew Jackson ran for President in 1828. This gave rise to the expression `whole hogger' to mean someone who would see a matter through, come what may!
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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