Bone of contention is an idiom describing an ongoing argument or discussion over a topic or issue. Some dictionaries list this phrase on its own, while others give bone the definition of a topic or issue and use of contention as a common modifier. The plural is bones of contention. The commonly accepted origin of the …
Backwater is a section of a river that is away from the main flow and therefore moves more slowly than the rest. This term is also used for a town or village where time seems to flow more slowly, where there is minimal activity or modernization. This can be used pejoratively …
To adduce is to give evidence or reference as proof in an argument or discussion. The noun form is adducer and the adjective form is adducible. To educe something is to infer or deduce from a data set or group of information. It can also mean to pull forward something that is latent, or bring out something’s …
The English language seems to have an endless supply of confusing verb forms! But I’m doing my best to demystify them one by one or, in this case, three in one shot! I’ll tackle the verb “drink” and its past forms, “drank” and “drunk,” so there’s no confusion over how …
A prank call is when someone calls a telephone line for the sole purpose of playing a prank or joke on the receiving end. The call is supposed to be anonymous and seen as funny for the prankster and slightly annoying for the user. Oftentimes it is associated with children or …
The occasion celebrated on the first day of April is officially called April Fools’ Day in the United States. Each word of the title is capitalized and the fool is plural possessive. The singular fool’s is listed as a variant spelling. However, this is not standardized and the main listing seems to vary from dictionary to …
A chinwag is a conversation, usually small-talk or gossip. It is mainly used outside the United States. It may sometimes be seen as two words and this is an official variant spelling. It can also be a verb. To chinwag is to chat or gossip. The past tense is chinwagged, the present tense is chinwags, and …
Fatuous is an adjective that describes something or someone as absurd or brainless. It comes from the Latin word for foolish. The adverb form is fatuously and the noun form is fatuousness. Facetious is also an adjective. It describes something or someone as being deliberately casual or silly in serious matters and with inappropriate humor. …
Have you ever wondered what it meant to be patient with someone? Or how to properly use “be patient” or “have patience” in a sentence? Today’s lesson is about understanding when to use these two phrases in a sentence. Is It Be Patient or Have Patience? “Be patient” and “have …