means the bottom or support of anything, that part on which it rests;
also, that which is low. _Base_ is sometimes used in the sense of
_found_; as, “he _based_ his argument on the evidence.” In chemistry
it is a compound which unites with acid to form a salt. _Bass_ is the
name of various sea-fishes; also the name of a tree and of things made
from its fiber. In music the _bass_ consists of the lowest tones in the
scale, instrumental or vocal.
~bat~: Formerly a provincialism but now a vulgarism for “wink.” Do not
say “Quit _batting_ your eyes at me;” say rather, that is, if you must
say anything of the kind, “Stop winking at me.”
~bathos~ and ~pathos~ are sometimes separated by only a fine line, and
it may be rather a matter of intelligence than of philology that fails
to make use of the desirable term. _Pathos_ is from the Greek _pascho_,
suffer, and designates the quality that awakens the tender emotions,
as compassion or sympathy; _bathos_ is from the Greek _bathys_, deep,
and signifies a ridiculous descent from the lofty to the depths of
commonplace.
~battalion~: In this word the “t” is always doubled, as in _battle_,
from which it is derived; it is, however, correctly spelled with only
one “l.”
~bear~. See BARE.
~beastly~: A British colloquialism expressive of disgust or contempt;
as, “This is _beastly_ weather”; sometimes even used adverbially; as,
“I was _beastly_ tired.” This locution, essentially in bad taste,
though often affected by college students and others who should know
better, seems never to be defensible except in the phrase “_beastly_
drunk,” and even this is objectionable as being a libel on the beast.
Compare NASTY.
~beat~ should not be used for “defeat.”
~beat it~ should not be used for “go away” or “clear out.”
~beat the band~: A vulgarism for “to surpass or be immeasurably
superior to.”
~because~: Although this word means “for the reason” it is often used
in the same sentence with this expression--“The reason why I do this
is _because_ (= for the reason that) I please myself by doing it.”
Substitute _that_ for _because_.
~because why~: A term common among the illiterate. _Because_ is used
correctly when it precedes the explanation of an act; _why_, when used
interrogatively. Do not say “I did it, _because why_”; here omit “why”
and continue with the reason for the act. Instead of “I did not come
sooner; _because why_?” “I was delayed.” Say “I did not come sooner;
why? I was delayed.”
~beef~ is coarse slang for “boast” or “brag.”
~begin~: _Commence_ is frequently substituted for _begin_ work where
the change should not be made. _Begin_ is applied to order of time;
_commence_ relates to the work on hand with reference to its subsequent
completion. The man who strikes the first blow _begins_ a fight, but
both parties to a law suit _commence_ litigation at the moment when
they severally undertake the first step.
~begin by him~: This is incorrect; say, “begin _with_ him.”
~behave~: Strictly means “comport.” When used with a reflexive pronoun
as, “Behave _yourself_,” this word is correctly applied. When the
pronoun is omitted as, “Will you _behave_?” the sentence is incomplete
and the expression a mere colloquialism.
~being~: The phrases “is _being_ built,” “was _being_ built,” and
kindred forms of English imperfects passive are condemned by certain
critics as recent and unwarranted; Fitzedward Hall points out that they
are neither recent nor unwarranted, and have been used by the best
writers for a century. He says: “Prior to the evolution of _is being
built_ and _was being built_, we possessed no discriminate equivalents
of _ædificatur_ and _ædificabatur_; _is built_ and _was built_, by
which they were rendered, corresponding exactly to _ædificatus est_ and
_ædificatus erat_.”--_Modern English_, App., p. 350.
_Is growing_, _was growing_, indicate an activity from within; as, the
tree _is growing_ (from its own internal forces); _is being grown_,
_was being grown_, the activity of some agent from without; as, the
plant _is being grown_ (by the gardener). So also, and strikingly, _is
bleeding_ (as from a wound), and _is being bled_ (as by a surgeon).
~belong~: Used absolutely; as, “He doesn’t _belong_,” “We all _belong_”
(_sc._, to this organization, society, community, or in the place,
sphere, or associations where actually present): recent in the United
States, and apparently rapidly spreading in popular use, though with no
literary support.
~beneficence~, ~benevolence~: Although formerly the meanings of these
words were distinct they are not so any longer, and _benevolence_ now
includes _beneficence_. “_Beneficence_, the quality of being beneficent
or charitable: _benevolence_ is the disposition to seek the well-being
or comfort of others; charitableness.” According to the etymology
and original usage _beneficence_ is the doing well, _benevolence_,
the wishing or willing well to others; but _benevolence_ has come to
include _beneficence_ and to displace it. We should not now speak of
_benevolence_ which did not help.
~benefit~. Compare ADVANTAGE.
~bequest~, ~devise~, ~legacy~: These words are not exactly synonymous.
A _bequest_ is a leaving by will of personal property of any kind; a
_devise_ is a gift of land by a last will and testament; a _legacy_ is
personal property bequeathed. _Devise_ is sometimes used loosely for
any testamentary disposition of property but, applied strictly, refers
specifically to land, whereas _legacy_ applies to any kind of personal
property.
~berth~, ~birth~: Discriminate carefully between these words. _Berth_,
which is probably derived from _bear_, (Anglo-Saxon _beran_, carry),
means a place of accommodation, whether as bunk or bed, apartment, or
engagement. _Birth_, similarly pronounced and derived, means “a coming
into existence.”
~beside~, ~besides~: Much confusion exists, and has long existed
regarding these words. Gould, who in his work on “Good English”
explained the use of these terms in 1856, from which Webster borrowed
in 1876, states that “besides is always a preposition and only a
preposition.” This is not so. It is sometimes an adverb when used in
its prepositional sense of “by the side (of).”
Of _besides_ as a preposition, Skeat, in his “Etymological Dictionary,”
says:--“The more correct form is _beside_; ‘besides’ is a later
development, due to the habit of using the suffix -es to form adverbs;
the use of _besides_ as a preposition, is, strictly incorrect, but is
as old as the 12th century.”
_Beside_ is also a preposition in the sense of “in comparison with” and
“physically or mentally remote from.” “_Beside_ your work his is poor”;
“_Beside_ the point at issue”; “The poor fellow is _beside_ himself.”
_Besides_ as a preposition means “in addition to” or “except.”
“_Besides_ wealth he had health”; “_Besides_ death he knew no fear.” As
an adverb it means “moreover” or “other than.” “_Besides_, it is late”;
“He was heedless of all the world _besides_.” _Beside_, then, conveys
the idea of conjunction, separation or comparison; whereas _besides_
implies addition or exception.
~between~. Compare AMONG.
~between you and I~: This is incorrect. Both pronouns are objects of
the preposition _between_ and should be in the objective case; say
“_between you and me_.” Compare YOU AND I.
~bevy~: A word sometimes misapplied. It is applied correctly to a
company of girls, a flock of birds, as, quail, grouse, or larks; also
to a small herd of deer or heifers.
~big~, ~great~: Discriminate carefully between these words. _Big_ is
not synonymous with _great_. A man may be physically _big_ but is not
necessarily _great_ mentally. Emerson was mentally a _great_ man, and
although tall physically he was not a _big_ man. _Big_ and _large_ are
synonymous, but while _big_ is more emphatic, _large_ is a more refined
or elegant term.
~big-bug~: A slang term used to denote a person of consequence, actual
or self-imagined. Say rather, “A prominent” or, “an important man.”
~big-wig~: A slang term common in England for a person in authority or
of prominence. Compare BIG-BUG.
~bird~: In the phrase “You’re a bird” an inane and, therefore,
undesirable expression.
~bit~: Primarily a _bite_, a small _piece_, or by extension a small
quantity; as, a _bit_ of bread, a _bit_ of fun. By error, the word is
sometimes applied to liquids; as, “there is not a _bit_ of water on
the farm.” But when reference is to liquid to be drunk, it is more
discriminating to say, not a _bit_, but a _sip_.
~blame on~: Indefensible slang. We blame a person _for_ a fault, or
lay the blame _upon_ him. Not, as in a New York newspaper, after the
last Presidential election, “I do not _blame_ the defeat _on_ the
President,” but “I do not _blame_ the President _for_ the defeat,” or
“I do not _lay the blame ... upon_,” etc.
~blow~: A colloquialism for boastful talk, which is expressed less
coarsely but with as much force by “bluster” or “brag.”
~blowhard~: A coarse term for “boaster” synonymous with windbag; not
used by persons of refinement. Compare WINDBAG.
~boiled shirt~: A slang phrase designating a white linen shirt. It
originated in the Western States of America but its use is widespread
among persons addicted to careless diction.
~boost, to~: A vulgarism for “to assist”; used also as a noun, as “He
gave me a _boost_ in business” for “He assisted me....”
~borne~, the past participle of _bear_, must not be confounded with the
adjective ~born~. “Man is _born_ to sorrow, which may or may not be
well _borne_.”
~both~: When _both_ is used in a negative sentence, the meaning
intended is sometimes doubtful. “_Both_ applicants were not accepted.”
Were both applicants rejected? Or, was one rejected and the other
accepted? Or, was neither applicant accepted or rejected? A similar
confusion of sense occurs in some negative sentences containing _all_,
when _not_ is misplaced; this practically contradicts the sense
intended, or makes it ambiguous; as, _all_ will not go, that is, _not
all_ will go--meaning some will and some will not go. “_All_ were not
of that mind” (probably) _not all_ were of that mind, or (possibly)
_all_ were of a different mind or minds from the one spoken of. So,
also, when all is used substantively. “_All_ that glisters is not
gold”--_not all_ that glisters is gold. A peculiarity of _both_ is that
it can not be negatived by connecting _not_ immediately with it, except
elliptically in sentences of unusual form that are obviously arranged
for the prevention of misunderstanding--as in correcting the doubtful
meaning of the sentence cited above, “_Both_ applicants were not
accepted.” If one asks, in order to clear its confusing impression,
“Were _both_ rejected?” the reply may properly be, “_Not both_ were
rejected; one was rejected and one accepted”--a connection of _not_
with _both_ that is usually inadmissible. The confusion in meaning of
a negative sentence containing _both_ will be best avoided by making
the sentence affirmative; “_Both_ applicants were rejected,” “One of
the two applicants was rejected and the other accepted,” etc.--STANDARD
DICTIONARY.
~both~: As an adjective or pronoun _both_ emphasizes the idea of _two_.
It has been well defined as “the two, and not merely one of them”; it
can not properly, therefore, be connected with or refer to more than
two objects. As a conjunction, however, _both_ has a more extended
meaning and employment than it has as an adjective or a pronoun;
thus, it is permissible to say, “He lost all his live stock--_both_
horses, cows, and sheep.” _Both_, as so used, emphasizes the extent or
comprehensiveness of the assertion. The use has been challenged, but
has abundant literary authority, and antedates Chaucer.
~both alike~: A pleonasm. Two things may be _alike_ but _alike_ should
not be used as an adjective. _Both_ daughters may be _like_ their
mother, but to say they are _both alike_, meaning that they resemble
each other, is incorrect. _Both_ should never be used with _alike_.
~bounce~: A colloquialism for “discharge” or “eject forcibly,” an apt
rather than an elegant term.
~bound~: This word may be the participial adjective of _buā_, prepare,
or the past participle of _bindan_, bind. The words should not be
confused. “I am _bound_ to have it:” yes, if constrained or compelled;
but no, if merely resolved. It is true that in the United States a
colloquial usage to this effect has become popular, but it is none the
less an error of speech.
~bountiful~, ~plentiful~: _Bountiful_ which originally meant “generous
in bestowing gifts” has gradually come to mean “showing abundance,”
“yielding in plenty.” In the latter sense it is synonymous with
_plentiful_.
~bourne~: From the French _borne_, bourne (Latin _bodina_, limit),
means that which marks the end, and hence the end or goal. It does
not mean _country_ which it is so often supposed to mean--presumedly
from Hamlet’s “undiscovered country, from whose _bourne_ no traveller
returns.” Readers who on this authority construe _bourne_ as country
make the mistake of substituting the word “which” for the phrase
“whose” bourne.
~brand-new~ often incorrectly written _bran-new_. The original and
etymologically correct form of this word is _brand-new_, from _brand_,
meaning “fire” or “burning,” and _new_ meaning “fresh”--the “fire-new”
of Shakespeare (Twelfth Night, act. iii., sc. 2) is best explained by
his own words, “fire-new from the mint,” meaning “fresh and bright”
like a new coin, as being newly come from the fire and forge.
_Bran-new_ is a colloquialism.
~brand of Cain~: By a peculiar perversion of facts, this is invariably
referred to as a stigma similar to the scarlet letter with which Hester
Prynne was indeed branded. But the brand was an act of mercy and “a
token of Divine protection,” for “the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest any
finding him should slay him.”
~bravery~, ~courage~: Inasmuch as the courageous may be without
_bravery_ and the brave without _courage_ a careful discrimination
should always be made in the use of these terms. _Courage_ is rather a
virtue of the mind, whereas _bravery_ is temperamental. Your _courage_
may ooze out, as it were, at the palms of your hands, but bravery
which is instinctive, remains. For this reason bravery may often be
misplaced, true _courage_--which ever seeks to do the right thing at
the right time, regardless of results--never.
~bred and born~: An erroneous sequence of words. One is _born_ before
one is _bred_; therefore say “_born and bred_.”
~brevity~, ~conciseness~: Words sometimes misused. _Brevity_ is
commonly applied to shortness of time, but it has the sanction of
literary usage for _conciseness_ or condensation of language into
few words. A speech may be _concise_ yet comprehensive; that is, it
may cover the entire range of a subject in few words and as such be
characterized by _conciseness_; another may be short in duration,
the theme being one that does not permit of expansion and as such be
characterized by _brevity_.
~bring~, ~carry~, ~fetch~: Discriminate carefully between these words.
_Bring_ expresses motion toward some person, place, or thing, and
implies to bear from a distant place to one nearer; _carry_ expresses
motion away from; _fetch_ expresses motion from a given place to
another, as for the purpose of obtaining some article, and return to
the given place with the article required. _Go and fetch_ is pleonastic.
~Britannia~: This word is often misspelled “Brittannia.” It is from
Britain and should be spelled with only one “t” but two “n’s.”
~broach~, ~brooch~: Discriminate carefully between these terms.
Although both are derived from the same source etymologically (Latin,
_broca_, a spike) they are now widely different in meaning. A _broach_
may mean “a boring into an opening, a spit, or a spire.” It is also the
name of the boring bits or drills used in carpentering or engineering.
It means also “to approach any one in conversation” on some particular
subject. A _brooch_ is “a breastpin or an ornamental pin or clasp used
as for display or to fasten some part of a dress.”
~broke~: A word often misused for “broken.” Do not say “I’m _broke_”
say rather “broken”--~To go broke~: A colloquial phrase common in
commercial circles for “to become bankrupt.” These terms are avoided by
persons who cultivate a refined diction.
~brothers~: Distinguished from ~brethren~. The one applies to those
who are _brothers_ by birth, whereas the other indicates fraternal
relationship in some order or society.
~building~, ~being built~: There are advocates of either form.
Fitzedward Hall has shown conclusively that “is being built” has
been used by the best writers for a century or more, and now has
universal literary sanction. Richard Whately, George P. Marsh, Richard
Grant White, and other critics have strenuously objected to this
use. In literature there is support enough for their views: Milton
wrote “while the Temple of the Lord _was building_.” Dr. Johnson, in
writing to Boswell, of his _Lives of the Poets_ said “My ‘Lives’ _are
reprinting_;” Macaulay followed the same style and wrote “Chelsea
Hospital _was building_”; “while innocent blood _was_ shedding.”
_Being_ has a special modern use with passive forms of verbs to
express progressive action. For example, is, are, or _was being_
built, expresses what is expressed also by is, are, or _was building_,
_a-building_, or _in building_. Both forms are permissible, but “is
_being built_” is more frequently heard and, perhaps, preferable.
~building~, ~construction~: Alfred Ayres (_Some Ill-used Words_, p.
44) quotes the following example of the misuse of these words: “These
two advisory bodies have recommended the _building_ of battleships.
It is understood that Mr. Long is opposed to the _construction_
[constructing] of any armorclads.” Mr. Ayres points out that if
_building_ is correct--and it is--then _construction_ is incorrect and
the correct word to use is _constructing_.
~bum~: A vulgar term for “an idle, dissolute fellow; a loafer,”--~on
the bum~. A vulgar phrase used to denote that that to which it is
applied is of poor quality, badly done, or has been subjected to
careless treatment.
~busted~: A slang term for financially broken, not used by persons
accustomed to a refined diction. Compare BROKE.
~but~, ~however~: Discriminate carefully between these words. Do not
say “He is suffering--not, _however_, acutely;” say rather, “He is
suffering, _but_ not acutely.”
~but that~: Implies a negative, but when it follows another negative
phrase (as “I _don’t know but that_ I did it”) it suggests the positive
or, as in the example given above, the likelihood or possibility that
some act has been done. Locutions of this kind should be avoided as
inelegant, say rather “I may have done it.”
~but what~: This is equivalent to _but that which_ and is an incorrect
expression for _but that_. “I am not sure _but what_ I shall be there”
should be written _but that_, and indicates the possibility or even
probability of being there; but note that if the _but_ be omitted from
the latter (and correct) usage, the indication is the reverse. Compare
BUT THAT.
~but yet~: Should not be used when either _but_ or _yet_ is sufficient
by itself; as, “Wealth may seek us; _but_ wisdom must be sought”; not
_but yet_. When, however, Archbishop Trench says, “_But yet_ these
pains hand us over to true pleasures” (_Study of Words_, p. 232), each
conjunction has its distinct adversative sense. This appears still
more clearly in “Ye are but common men, _but_ [on the contrary] _yet_
[notwithstanding that fact] ye think with minds not common.”--COLERIDGE
_Wallenstein_ 2, 3.
~bute~: A vulgar corruption of “beauty” used by illiterates; as, “She’s
a _bute_.” Correctly “She is a beauty” or “a beautiful woman.”
~butt in, to~: A vulgar although expressive phrase meaning “to
interfere officiously or inquisitively with,” not used by persons
accustomed to refined diction.
~by~: Properly used before the agent or doer; _with_ before the
instrument or means; as, “He was killed _by_ the assassin _with_ a
dagger.” But active forces are often thought of as agents, so that
we properly say “The house was destroyed _by_ fire.” “His friends
were displeased _by_ the selection of another chairman” means that
the action displeased them; “his friends were displeased _with_ the
selection,” etc., means that the man selected was not their choice.
“A gentleman _by_ the name of Hinkley.”
“Oh, no! You mean ‘A gentleman _of_ the name of Hinkley.’ This is
English, you know.”
One may say “I know no one _of_ the name of Brown,” or “I know no one
_by_ the name of Brown”; but the meaning is different. One might know a
man _of_ the name of Brown, but know him _by_ the name of Smith. It is
better to say simply “a man named Brown.”--STANDARD DICTIONARY.
C
~cabbage~ for “steal” or “crib,” as from a pony, is schoolboy slang.
~cake, takes the~: A slang equivalent for “wins the prize.” Used
usually to designate that the person, act, or statement to which it
is applied exceeds in impudence anything within the knowledge of the
persons present.
~calculate~: The verb signifies to ascertain by mathematical or
scientific computation; and the word _calculated_ therefore strictly
means adapted by calculation. It is then illogical to speak of
“measures _calculated_ to do harm” when the measures were in fact
designated for a specific purpose--that of doing good.
~calligraphy~ and ~cacography~ respectively mean good and bad writing.
It is therefore pleonastic to speak of excellent _calligraphy_ or
wretched _cacography_; and to describe the former as wretched would
simply be to say that at the same time it was both excellent and the
reverse.
~cameo~: The plural of the word is not formed by adding “-es” as in
“potato” or “grotto” but by the adding of “-s”; as, _cameos_.
~can~: Misused for _may_. _Can_ always refers to some form of
possibility. An armed guard may say “You _can_ not pass,” since he has
physical power to prevent; hence the question “_Can_ I pass the guard?”
is perfectly natural. But where simple permission is required _may_
should be used. “_May_ I (not _can_ I) use your ruler?”
~can but~, ~can not but~: Discriminate carefully between these phrases.
Both these sentences are grammatically correct, though they have not
exactly the same meaning: “I _can not but_ believe your proposition”
means “I _can not help_ believing,” etc.; while “I _can but_ believe
your proposition” means “I _can only_ believe,” etc., a much less
strong assertion.
~canine~ should not be used for “dog.”
~cannon~, a tubular gun, comes from Greek _kanna_, reed, and must be
distinguished from ~canon~, a rule or law, which comes from the Greek
_kanon_, rule.
~capacity~. Compare ABILITY.
~caption~ is not to be used in the sense of title, save as to a legal
document “showing the time, place, circumstances and authority--under
which it was made or executed.” “The affectation of fine big-sounding
words which have a flavor of classical learning has had few more
laughable or absurd manifestations than the use of _caption_ (which
means seizure, act of taking) in the sense ... of heading.”--R. G.
WHITE, _Words and Their Uses_, ch. 5, p. 98.
~carnival~, which comes from the Latin _caro_, flesh, + _levo_, take
away, and alludes in Catholic countries to the pre-Lenten “farewell
to meat,” which concludes with Mardi Gras, has been stigmatized by
Dr. William Mathews as an “outlandish term” which “has not a shadow
of justification” in the popular sense of a gay festivity or revel.
Inasmuch as the pre-Lenten farewell is marked by festival, frolic
and fun, the stigmatization is undeserved, and such expressions as
“the crows are holding high _carnival_ on the hill” are not merely
permissible but good.
~carry~: Although formerly used with the meaning of “conduct,” “guide,”
or “escort” the term in this sense is now archaic. Do not say “Mr.
A. _carried_ Miss B. to the party;” say rather, “... _escorted_ Miss
B....” Compare also BRING.
~case~: Not to be applied to persons. The expression sometimes used of
an eccentric or vicious person, “He is a _case_” or “a hard _case_,” is
an objectionable colloquialism.