Aug 21, 2010 · Summary: The confusion may come from 'forte' as used in music for strong or loud, which is definitely pronounced 'for tay' = /ˈfɔr teɪ/. In French, the same letters are pronounced 'fort' = …

Jun 20, 2015 · I agree the original should be 'hold the fort' and 'hold down…' looks like an aberration. Is it too much to speculate that 'hold down…' could have come from a land-lubbers variation on …

Aug 3, 2012 · "Back and forth" is the more correct idiom, because, well, that's the idiom. There's nothing to stop you from saying "forth and back" — a little voice is repeating the subtitle to The Hobbit, which …

Aug 31, 2014 · I'd like to know the etymology of the word "ginger" in reference to red-headed people. In particular, if "ginger" in this context is related to the plant root used in cooking, I'd like to know how...

Aug 20, 2010 · What is the correct way to pronounce niche? I've always said and heard nitch, but now I hear neesh, but it always sounds trendy to me. Thoughts?

William Kitchiner M.D. (1775–1827) was an optician, inventor of telescopes, amateur musician and exceptional cook. His name was a household word during the 19th century, and his Cook’s Oracle …

Feb 15, 2018 · The last sentence is OK; the other two are overnegated. The not in the first clause scopes the second one too, so you don't need to repeat the negative in it. The first ones are OK …

Jan 17, 2012 · 0 They're essentially synonymous: Proclivity is 'leaning to', propensity is 'nearness to' and predilection is 'preference for'. Worry about something more significant like the misuse of the words …

Oct 13, 2018 · The exact title of the person who officially “takes over” for someone after they die depends on how they become responsible for this task: If the deceased has left a will and named a …

Jul 4, 2013 · OED has three citations for learning meaning lesson, but it notes it's obsolete. † 2. What is learnt or taught: a. a lesson, instruction. 1362 Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 174 That nis no treuthe …