Q: How does the person who doesn't read much give himself away?
A: He writes words and expressions he's heard—or what he thought he heard—but never actually seen in print, often with amusing results.
A: He writes words and expressions he's heard—or what he thought he heard—but never actually seen in print, often with amusing results.
Following are some words and expressions I've come across in emails, and yes even in books (Editor needed!), that reveal individuals who just don't read.
It's a doggy-dog world.
It's a dog-eat-dog world.
Meaning: It's a cut-throat and competitive world.
For all intensive purposes
For all intents and purposes
Meaning: virtually or in every practical sense
My next store neighbour
My next-door neighbour
Meaning: the neighbour who lives beside me
I ate too much. Case and point, I had four meals.
Case in point, I had four meals.
Meaning: to give an example
From all woks of life
From all walks of life
Meaning: from all occupations and classes
I was so hungry I had hunger pains.
I was so hungry I had hunger pangs.
Meaning: hunger contractions occurring in the stomach
You have another thing coming.
You have another think coming.
Meaning: You'd better think some more about this.
I could care less.
I couldn't care less.
Meaning: I care so little I couldn't care any less.
He put her up on a pedal-stool.
He put her up on a pedestal.
Meaning: to think highly of someone
He was 90 pounds soak and wet.
He was 90 pounds soaking wet.
Meaning: He weighs a bit less than 90 pounds. The idea is that to get his weight up to 90 pounds, you have to soak him completely in water, implying that he is underweight.
She squatted my butt with a towel.
She swatted my butt with a towel.
Meaning: She hit me with a towel.
I don't mind some construction criticism of my manuscript.
I don't mind some constructive criticism of my manuscript.
Meaning: a criticism that aims to help and improve the overall quality of a product or service
The Middle East is becoming a powder cake.
The Middle East is becoming a powder keg.
Meaning: A powder keg is a small barrel of gunpowder.
I'd just assume stand on the bus.
I'd just as soon stand on the bus.
Meaning: I would prefer to stand rather than something else that is possible.
You have a fair to midland chance of winning.
You have a fair to middling chance of winning.
Meaning: slightly above average
He was at my beckon call when I was sick.
He was at my beck and call.
Meaning: available whenever I asked
It's a doggy-dog world.
It's a dog-eat-dog world.
Meaning: It's a cut-throat and competitive world.
For all intensive purposes
For all intents and purposes
Meaning: virtually or in every practical sense
My next store neighbour
My next-door neighbour
Meaning: the neighbour who lives beside me
I ate too much. Case and point, I had four meals.
Case in point, I had four meals.
Meaning: to give an example
From all woks of life
From all walks of life
Meaning: from all occupations and classes
I was so hungry I had hunger pains.
I was so hungry I had hunger pangs.
Meaning: hunger contractions occurring in the stomach
You have another thing coming.
You have another think coming.
Meaning: You'd better think some more about this.
I could care less.
I couldn't care less.
Meaning: I care so little I couldn't care any less.
He put her up on a pedal-stool.
He put her up on a pedestal.
Meaning: to think highly of someone
He was 90 pounds soak and wet.
He was 90 pounds soaking wet.
Meaning: He weighs a bit less than 90 pounds. The idea is that to get his weight up to 90 pounds, you have to soak him completely in water, implying that he is underweight.
She squatted my butt with a towel.
She swatted my butt with a towel.
Meaning: She hit me with a towel.
I don't mind some construction criticism of my manuscript.
I don't mind some constructive criticism of my manuscript.
Meaning: a criticism that aims to help and improve the overall quality of a product or service
The Middle East is becoming a powder cake.
The Middle East is becoming a powder keg.
Meaning: A powder keg is a small barrel of gunpowder.
I'd just assume stand on the bus.
I'd just as soon stand on the bus.
Meaning: I would prefer to stand rather than something else that is possible.
You have a fair to midland chance of winning.
You have a fair to middling chance of winning.
Meaning: slightly above average
He was at my beckon call when I was sick.
He was at my beck and call.
Meaning: available whenever I asked
Jens Petersen is an editor with a wide range of clients. He primarily edits books, but also articles, brochures, advertising.
For more information, visit the website at: www.AuthorConsultants.org
and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AuthorConsultants
He can be reached at PetersenEditing@gmail.com
For more information, visit the website at: www.AuthorConsultants.org
and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AuthorConsultants
He can be reached at PetersenEditing@gmail.com
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