troublesome twin words 9

[BadBigBen]

kwbMitel, actually, the definition of "epicenter" states as one of it's definition, as per Meriam-Webster:

Center 2a,b, and c, which leads to:

2a : a point, area, person, or thing that is most important or pivotal in relation to an indicated activity, interest, or condition
b : a source from which something originates
c : a group of neurons having a common function

so with that, "epicenter" and "center" can be interchanged in certain instances, though I agree that it may be cumbersome if not totally awkward ...



Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[kwbMitel]

BadBigBen - Hmmm I had researched that some time ago and not found the definitions you've provided. I'll chalk this up to something I read and didn't research enough.

Another example of reading somewhere but have never confirmed is the use of the word Nauseous. I read that something that is nauseous causes someone to become nauseated. Describing oneself as being nauseous does not then mean what people think it means.

Or does it? I'd like to know for the record.

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[guitarzan]

kwbMitel: Merriam-Webster's definition of nauseous has a sidebar about that very question:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nauseous

1 causing nausea or disgust : nauseating
2 affected with nausea or disgust

Those who insist that nauseous can properly be used only in sense 1 and that in sense 2 it is an error for nauseated are mistaken. Current evidence shows these facts: nauseous is most frequently used to mean physically affected with nausea, usually after a linking verb such as feel or become; figurative use is quite a bit less frequent. Use of nauseous in sense 1 is much more often figurative than literal, and this use appears to be losing ground to nauseating. Nauseated is used more widely than nauseous in sense 2.

 

[kwbMitel]

Thanks Guitarzan - your examples are what I've come to believe but it's nice to know for sure.

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[Madawc]

The stationery office used to be a caravan, but now it is stationary.

Do we want to wind up in a place where the wind blows all the time?

We’ll have to weather the weather, whether we like it or not.

Let’s discuss the relative merits of your relatives.


Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Crystal 11.5 with SQL and Windows XP

 

[Madawc]

Through my spectacles I see many spectacles

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Crystal 11.5 with SQL and Windows XP

 

[SantaMufasa]

During an e-mail thread in which I was participating today, one of the writers asked me about some of the tenants of my religion. Since my faith does not allow renters in our places of worship, I proceded to explain about the tenets of my religion. <grin>

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
“People may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

 

[kwbMitel]

I've heard this one twice this week. Once on the radio, once on TV.

using tact instead of tack to mean change in direction

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[mattKnight]

I struggle with lawyer and skunk.

However, I reserve special contempt for those who use pacific when they mean specific

Take Care

Matt
I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone.
My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone.

 

[2ffat]

My sediments exactly!


James P. Cottingham
^{I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229!}

 

[N1GHTEYES]

May be and maybe.

You may be wondering why I am drawing this distinction. Maybe you think they mean the same thing.

Tony

 

[Annihilannic]

This writer doesn't know the difference between premise and premises. "On-site" would have been a better term I think.

Annihilannic
[small]tgmlify - code syntax highlighting for your tek-tips posts[/small]

 

[ChrisHirst]

definitely" and "defiantly" get crossed over. Admittedly it is mainly by the Asian forum posting army with their/there/they're

"Nice post, I am defiantly agreeing with this"

Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum

 

[ChrisHirst]

One I've just seen today is

Thanks for the post, its really containing the descent knowledge and I really like the blog

Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum

 

[Annihilannic]

Yes, definately one of the most frequently misspelled words out there (which was probably responsible for leading them astray).

midriff and midrift, not that the latter is really a word...

Annihilannic
[small]tgmlify - code syntax highlighting for your tek-tips posts[/small]

 

[N1GHTEYES]

One I heard last night, by a presenter who really should have known better - ravished instead of ravaged.

A tripple confusion which allows for multiple misuse options is gamut / gambit / gauntlet

Tony

 

[SantaMufasa]

One I heard last night, by a presenter who really should have known better - ravished instead of ravaged.

So, what was the context/sentence in which the presenter confused the words?


Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
“People may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

 

[tcsbiz]

Duck or duct. I often hear people refer to duck tape instead of duct tape.

I keep trying to do something about my procrastination but I keep putting it off until tomorrow.

 

[Annihilannic]

... or ducked ape.

Actually, no, just kidding.

Annihilannic
[small]tgmlify - code syntax highlighting for your tek-tips posts[/small]

 

[flapeyre]

Generically, it's duct tape (originally developed to seal WWII ammunition cases).

But there is a Duck Tape brand out there. Smart marketing move on their part.

-- Francis
The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning, and does not stop until you get to the office.
--Robert Frost