M Archives | Page 16 of 25

Magic bullet and silver bullet

A silver bullet is a magical solution to a confusing problem. Silver bullets have long had the reputation of being the only ammunition that can kill a werewolf, since the eighteenth century. In 1933, The Lone Ranger, a fictional masked Texas Ranger who roamed the Old West with his faithful friend, Tonto, debuted on American radio. His bullets were made of silver, Silver was his horse’s name, also. Michael Briggs found that silver bullets are actually slower and less accurate …

Mobilize vs mobilise

by Grammarist

Mobilize means to organize people and forces in pursuit of a particular objective. Mobilize often refers to organizing in the face of an emergency or war. Mobilize also means to literally render something mobile, to make something capable of movement. Mobilize is a transitive verb, which means it takes an object. Mobilize is the North American spelling, related words are mobilizes, mobilized, mobilizing, mobilizable, mobilizer and mobilization. Mobilise is an accepted British spelling. Related words are mobilises, mobilised, mobilising mobilisation, …

Moat vs. Mote

by Grammarist

A moat is a broad, deep ditch that is dug around a castle or other fortress as a defense against attack. Usually, a moat is filled with water. Moat may also be used as a transitive verb, meaning to surround something in the fashion of a moat. Castles or other fortresses that are surrounded by moats usually have a drawbridge that is lowered to allow friendly visitors to cross the moat and go inside. Moat comes from the fourteenth-century Old …

May be or maybe

by Grammarist

May be designates a possibility. When written as two separate words, may be is used as a verb. If you can substitute the words could be or might be in your sentence, then you are using may be as a verb and it should be written as two separate words. Maybe is an adverb which means possibly or perhaps. If you can substitute the word perhaps in your sentence, then you are using maybe as an adverb and it should …

Heavens to Murgatroyd – Idiom, Definition and Origin

by Candace Osmond

You probably heard your parents, grandparents, or anyone older say “Heavens to Murgatroyd” and wondered what they meant. It’s an expression whose origin can be traced to an old cartoon show. Snagglepuss was the character who said heavens to Murgatroyd. Add this idiom to your vocabulary by understanding its meaning and how to use it! This post also shows how to use it in a sentence. What Does Heavens to Murgatroyd Mean? Murgatroyd is an old surname taken from English …

Car park vs parking lot

by Grammarist

A car park is an area where a car or truck or motorcycle may be left, for a time, off-street. A car park is usually a paved area, the spaces are clearly marked with white or sometimes yellow paint. A driver is expected to occupy only one space. Car park is the British English term, the North American English term is parking lot. A muliple-storied building where cars may be parked is referred to as a multi-storey car park in …

Disabuse, misuse and abuse

by Grammarist

Disabuse means to convince someone of the inaccuracy of a belief or notion. Disabuse is a transitive verb, it is used with an object. The first known use of disabuse was 1611. Misuse means to use something in an incorrect fashion or for the wrong purpose. Misuse also means to treat someone poorly or unfairly. Misuse is also a transitive verb, it is used with an object. The first known use of the word misuse was in the fourteenth century. …

Can vs may

by Grammarist

Strictly speaking, can is an auxiliary verb that is used to express mental and physical capability. May is an auxiliary verb that is used to express permission. However, the sharp dividing line between the use of can and may has eroded, due to the English language’s seeming evolution toward informality. Today, can is used to express mental and physical capability and in informal circumstances, it expresses permission. A child might ask a teacher, “May I have an apple?” as the child …

Mean vs mien

by Grammarist

Mean may be used as a verb to (1) indicate, signify or refer to a certain thing (2) indicate genuine intention (3) refer to the consequence of a certain thing or action (4) show the importance or value of a certain item or happening. Mean may be used as an adjective to indicate (1) unkindness or cruelty (2) malice (3) low social status (4) poor or shabby (5) miserly, stingy (6) skillful (slang) Mean may be used as a noun …

Moral vs morale

by Grammarist

Moral can be used as either an adjective or a noun. As an adjective, moral describes something or someone who conforms to the rules of ethical behavior. When moral is used as a noun, it can mean (1) the lesson imparted by a story or fable or (2) a principle to follow for right conduct. The verb form is moralize, which carries a negative connotation. Moralize means to express an opinion about morals, usually in a self-righteous or annoying way. …

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