Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 153
What is the meaning of `mealy mouthed'?
We often meet people who are hesitant to say what is on their mind. When something unpleasant happens, they refuse to speak plainly or openly about the matter. When you say that someone is `mealy mouthed', what you mean is that the individual is not frank or sincere. He is not brave enough or honest enough to speak his mind. The term is normally used to show contempt for an individual. *Jai is a young, mealy-mouthed politician that people just love to hate. Food that is dry and powdery is often referred to as being `mealy'. So when you say that someone is `mealy-mouthed', what you mean is that the person has something dry and powdery in his mouth. He is therefore unable to speak clearly. According to scholars, the expression comes from the German `Mehl im Maule behalten', meaning `to carry a meal in the mouth'.
What is the meaning and origin of `to read the riot act'?
When you read someone the riot act, what you are doing is giving him a severe scolding. You are angrily telling the individual that if the same thing happens again, he will get into serious trouble. *Listen, you guys! If you don't clean this mess up, the coach will read you the riot act. The Riot Act was a law that came into effect in Britain in 1715. This law had to be passed because of the unstable political situation in the country. The Riot Act made it illegal for 12 or more people to assemble in public places. Whenever a group gathered, it was the job of the Magistrate or the policeman to stand in front of the crowd and read aloud the Act. If the people did not disperse after hearing the proclamation, they were arrested and put in prison, sometimes for several years!
Is it OK to say, `It costs very much money'?
No, it isn't. Normally with verbs like `cost', `eat' and `pay', we generally don't use `very much' - especially in affirmative sentences. We cannot say, `I ate very much ice cream' or `I had to pay very much'. We normally use `a lot' with these verbs. For example, we say, `I ate a lot of ice cream', `I had to pay a lot in taxes', and `The new TV costs a lot'. It is, however, possible to use `very much' with these verbs in questions. Did the new TV cost very much? Did you have to pay very much as rent? One can also use `cost' and `pay' with `very much' in negative sentences. For example, it is grammatically acceptable to say, `It doesn't cost very much' and `You don't really have to pay very much.'
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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