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Why shambles?

2006-11-10 14:27

In the news, I read that the trial of Saddam Hussein in Iraq was often called "a shambles". I'm wondering, like, why "shambles"? Why plural? Why not "a shamble"?

What is a rotation player?

2006-11-06 14:20

When the Houston Rockets signed Greek star Vassilis Spanoulis over the summer, they hoped he would be "a rotation player"...

Feeble or febrile

2006-11-03 10:46

In a writing composition, I wrote this line: 'He was febrile and weak.' My writing professor changed it to 'He was feeble and weak'.

Endorse or support

2006-10-30 14:52

Is 'endorse' the same as 'support', only that 'endorse' is more formal than the latter? Give usage examples, please.

Rank and file

2006-10-26 15:03

BJ asks: ...That may also be the case among the rank and file - what is 'rank and file'?

Fable or parable?

2006-10-23 14:01

What's the difference between a fable and a parable? How should the Chinese 寓言 be put into English? Is it a fable, or a parable?"

Solution or resolution?

2006-10-19 13:54

Ingrid writes: "I have a problem with these two words - solution vs. resolution. I've read that...

Could you be more specific?

2006-10-16 14:34

The English language is specific in comparison with the Chinese, which tends to be vague. English is explanatory, whereas Chinese is conclusive.

Adjudge vs. judge

2006-09-28 16:51

"Judge" is a word used more widely and loosely in conversation. "Adjudge", on the other hand, is much formal and less flexible.

Doubt vs. suspect

2006-09-25 15:32

Reader ZBC asks: "What's the difference between 'doubt' and 'suspect'? In the English-Chinese dictionary, both are explained as '懷疑'."

What's your pet vice?

2006-09-21 13:57

A reader with a coded name of 007ccmmzz writes:
"I can't understand 'a pet vice'. Please tell me. Thanks a million."

Almost too simple to be true

2006-09-18 13:47

A tautology in logic, or rather warped logic, refers to a proposition that is either true by definition, or is necessarily true (which makes its statement redundant).