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Mayhap or mishap or snafu

Mayhap is an archaic way to say maybe or perhaps. It is an adverb in construction. It does not have a plural and should not be written as mayhaps. It has largely been replaced by other words, including those used to define it, like maybe and perhaps. A mishap is an accident or unfortunate coincidence. The plural is mishaps.  A snafu, on the other hand, is a hard or complicated problem or the mistake that causes the confusing problem. The plural is snafus. It was coined in …

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Take the mickey out of someone

To take the mickey out of someone is an idiom used largely outside of the United States. It means to tease or make fun of someone. It is usually meant in a lighthearted or fun manner, not to ridicule or bash. The phrase has many variations, including take the mike out of someone, take the Michael out of someone, or take the mick out of someone. The origin of the phrase is someone vague, but it seems to come from the name Mickey (not Mickey …

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Mouthfuls

A mouthful is the maximum amount a mouth will contain. It can also mean something that is extremely hard to pronounce, or something said that has a lot of meaning. The plural is mouthfuls. This word falls into the category of words with the suffix -ful. While this suffix means full, it is never spelled with two l’s unless it is in the adverb form (e.g., cheerfully). Since an adverb form of mouthful  does not exist, it should never be spelled with two l’s. However several …

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Mom vs mom

Capitalization is required for proper nouns, such as names, but sometimes words can be proper nouns or common nouns. Family titles, such as mom and dad, fit into this category. The general rule is to capitalize a family name when it is used as a name, and not to capitalize when it is a common noun. A good tip is to look if there is a pronoun or article (e.g., the, your, his, etc.) preceding the title. If an article …

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Matrix

Matrix has many meanings. It can be a pattern created by lines crossing to make spaces. It can be a surrounding structure in which something develops. This can be a set of conditions, a situation, or an actual structure. A matrix is also a diagram showing the line of command in an organization. Another definition of matrix is a mold in which something is cast. In Mathematics it is chart of values that is treated as one entity and has certain rules. The plural form …

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Moose vs. mooses

A moose is a large animal with antlers that is found in the northern forests of America, Europe, and Asia.  It is of the deer family. The plural form is moose, not mooses or meese. Though Mooses is a surname. Nouns like moose and sheep, which do not change from their singular to plural form, are called invariants. They fall in the category of irregular plurals. Note: Invariant is not a grammatical term and can have a wider meaning. For terms like glasses and pants, which do not …

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Moratorium

To put a moratorium on something means to ban or prohibit it temporarily. In legal language it also means to authorize a delay in payment of a debt. The plural can be either moratoriums or moratoria. As with all adopted Latin, adding an s is perfectly acceptable, but there will always be some who prefer the Latin conjugation. History The word was coined in the late 19th century with its legal definition. It comes from the Latin verb moratorius ‘delaying’, and was written in italics for almost 50 years …

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Monied vs. Moneyed

Both monied and moneyed are adjectives which mean having or coming from money. Either spelling is correct and each has had a period of popularity, though it was early in the eighteenth century. Both words have fallen out of use. Currently moneyed is the more preferred spelling. A moneyer is a person who creates money or mints it. The word money comes from the Latin moneta, which in turn came from the goddess Juno. It was in her temple where the coins were minted. Examples It emerged as a city of …

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Minx vs. Mink Whats the Difference 1

Minx vs. Mink – What’s the Difference?

Is a small, brown, weasley animal a mink or minx? If you have gotten these two words mixed up in the past, you aren’t alone. They are not only similar in spelling but also sound similar. But they mean two very different things. A mink is an animal, while a minx is a slang term to describe a young woman – and its connotative use isn’t flattering. Therefore, they should be used correctly lest you insult some innocent furry creature. …

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What is a Mcjob? – Definition & Examples

Want to hear something utterly ridiculous? In 2007, McDonald’s threatened the Oxford English Dictionary to change the meaning of McJob. According to the corporation, the description was outdated and offensive to the thousands of service workers. My take on the whole thing is a mix of English and History lessons about the word McJob. Find out its definition, origin, and how to use it in a sentence. What Does McJob Mean? No, it’s not a job at McDonald’s, but the …

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