Editor's Corner

It must be a busy day in editing world because I am relying completely on Grammar Girl to entertain and educate you today. As a big fan of British television, authors, and the English language, I thought I’d share this article with you, in hopes that you might fancy it like I did.

Have you ever asked someone for a favor and been told, “That’s not my bailiwick”?

If so, they turned you down. In short, they said, “That’s not my specialty. It’s not something I’m good at, so you should do it yourself.”

As you started to work, alone and rejected, you might have wondered, “What is a bailiwick, anyway?”

A “bailiwick” is an area that’s under the jurisdiction of a bailiff. In the US, we think of a bailiff as an official who helps to keep order in a courtroom. They’re the people who walk prisoners in and out of the room and escort the jury members to their seats. But in Britain, a bailiff is more like a sheriff. He or she can make arrests, serve court papers to a person, and seize the property of a debtor. (There’s also the term “sheriffwick,” but it seems to have fallen out of favor sometime in the 1800s.)

An example of a real-life bailiwick is the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a set of small islands in the English Channel. They’re part of England, but they have their own legislative assembly, which is presided over by — you guessed it — a bailiff.

So the “baili-” in “bailiwick” refers to a bailiff. (In fact, another form of the word “bailiff” was “bailie,” but that use is now obsolete.)

The “-wick” in “bailiwick” is also obsolete. This word used to mean a house or dwelling-place, as well as a town, village, or hamlet. It’s a very old word, derived from the Old English “wic.” We can trace it back to 900 CE and find it used in “Beowulf,” in the phrase “wica neosian,” meaning “to go home.”

Over time, the meaning of bailiwick as an administrative region was extended to mean one’s natural or proper sphere. For example, if a friend asked you to make pecan pie for Thanksgiving, you could decline, saying that baking isn’t your bailiwick.

So that’s your tidbit for today. When you say, “It’s not my bailiwick,” you mean it’s not my thing. It’s not something I’m good at or should be doing.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

Today I have a gift from our coworker M. Shepard to share with you. He sent me an article about a word I’d never heard before: hemidemisemiquaver. But before we get to the word, let’s have a look at this article from Mental Floss, which starts from the very beginning.

English has a number of prefixes that come from the concept of “half.” Why do we have so many? And what’s the difference between them?

1. SEMI

Semi-, from the Latin for “half,” is the most common and the earliest to show up in English. It was first used, with the straight sense of “half,” in the word semicircular, but soon attached to concepts that were harder to quantify. It’s easy to see what a half circle looks like, but what amount of “abstract” is “semi-abstract”? How permanent is “semi-permanent”? Through these less concrete uses, which proliferated wildly in the 1800s, semi- came to mean “virtually” or “somewhat.”

2. HEMI

Hemi- is from the Greek for “half.” It is less common than semi-, and it is associated more strongly with technical language in fields like chemistry, biology, and anatomy. Its sense of “half,” more than semi-, implies a lengthwise axis of symmetry. This is not obvious for the most common hemi- word, hemisphere (since a sphere is symmetrical all the way around), but a hemicylinder, is not just half a cylinder, it’s the half cut lengthwise, and hemiplegic doesn’t just mean half the body is paralyzed, but the right or left half (paraplegic is the term for when only the lower half is paralyzed).

3. DEMI

Demi is from the French for “half.” It was first used in English in heraldry, where things like demi-angels, demi-lions, demi-horses show up. It also held sway in other specific domains, such as military (demi-brigade) and fashion (demi-cap, demi-lustre, demi-worsted). It also picked up the sense of “virtual” or even “lesser.” A demigod, after all, is not quite the real thing.

It might seem ridiculous that English had to borrow a “half” prefix from three different places, but if it didn’t we wouldn’t get to have a word like hemidemisemiquaver—that’s a 64th note, in other words, a half of a half of a half of an eighth note, which is so much less fun to say than hemidemisemiquaver.

It’s almost winter, but not quite yet. Here’s a great sign:

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773

Symitar Documentation Services

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On the twelfth day of English

What a ruckus we all made

Finding 12 fantastic words

That rhyme with lemonade.

A number of words share the inflected ending -ade, which denotes an action or something that performs an action or function. The following comprehensive but not exhaustive list includes definitions of forty such words (and the meaning of each root word). [KC – For the full list of 40 words ending in -ade, check out
DailyWritingTips!]

1. ambuscade (“in forest”): an ambush

2. arcade (“arch”): an arched building, gallery, avenue, or passageway, or series of arches, or a business where coin-operated games are played

3. balustrade (“small pillar”): a row of vertical balusters, or railing supports, topped by a railing, or a low barrier

4. brocade (“little nail”): silk fabric with gold or silver weaved in (also a verb meaning “weave gold or silver with silk”)

5. cascade (“fall”): a waterfall, especially one in a series, or arrangement or occurrence of a succession of stages, or something falling or rushing (also a verb meaning “fall, pour, or rush in or as if in a cascade”)

6. cavalcade (“horse”): a parade of troops or other people mounted on horses, or simply a parade

7. chiffonade (“crumple”): finely cut or shredded herbs or vegetables

8. colonnade (“column”): a series of regularly spaced supporting columns

9. crusade (“cross”): a series of military expeditions to assert the influence of Christian nations in the Middle East (capitalized when referred to as “the Crusades”), or an enthusiastic effort to solve a problem (as a verb, meaning “engage in a crusade”)

10. escalade (“ladder”): an act of scaling fortification walls (also a verb meaning “scale fortification walls”)

11. fanfaronade (“braggart”): bluster

12. palisade (“stake”): a long, pointed stake, or a fence made of such stakes, or a line of cliffs resembling one

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

On the eleventh day of English

My true love gave to me

A collection of archetypes

Like Nervous Nellie.

What is an archetype? According to Merriam-Webster, it is a “very typical example of a certain person or thing.” Today I have several of these from an article in Daily Writing Tips, where you can see the complete list of twenty, if you are interested.

Various expressions have arisen, sometimes from folkloric or historical origins, to describe types of people by assigning them with personal names. Here are twenty such appellations and their definitions and (sometimes only probable) origins.

1. Debbie Downer: a naysayer or pessimist; coined by joining an alliterative common name with a descriptive label

2. Doubting Thomas: a skeptic; inspired by the name of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, who refused to believe in Jesus’s resurrection until he saw him

3. Gloomy Gus: (see “Debbie Downer”); based on a cartoon character named by joining an alliterative common name with a descriptive label

4. Good-Time Charlie: a hedonist; probably based on a reference in a Damon Runyon story about a speakeasy by that name

5. Handy Andy: a person with useful skills; inspired by rhyming a common name with a descriptive label

6. Jack-the-lad: an arrogant, carefree young man; probably inspired by the name of a thief who became a folk hero because of multiple escapes from prison

7. Kookaburra Kara: noisy girl with a large head; probably inspired by the Australian bird of the kookaburra and gumtree song. [KC – I’m totally kidding. Just trying to make sure you’re paying attention.]

8. Nervous Nellie: a timid, easily upset person of either gender; originally, a reference to a high-strung racehorse, influenced by Old Nell, a name associated with nags, or older horses

9. Peeping Tom: a voyeur; based on an apocryphal story of an onlooker (identified with a common name) during the based-in-fact tale of Lady Godiva

10. Simple Simon: a gullible, unintelligent person; derived from a folk character

11. Typhoid Mary: a person who spreads disease or another undesirable thing; named after Mary Mallon, an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid

A real kookaburra

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

On the tenth day of English,

My true love did me wrong,

He forgot the pipers and sent me

Ten new ways to say “song.”

1. barcarole: a work song with a beat that alternates between strong and weak to suggest the rhythm of rowing a boat

2. canticle: a song based on scripture and performed during a church service

3. chantey/chanty/shanty: a rhythmic sailors’ work song

4. descant: a melody sung as a counterpoint to another melody

5. madrigal: a polyphonic part-song originating in the 14th century that has parts for three or more voices and is marked by the use of a secular text and a freely imitative style and counterpoint and that in its later development especially in the 16th and 17th centuries is often marked by a distinct melody in the upper voice and by being designed for accompaniment by strings that either double or replace one or more of the voice parts — compare motet [KC
– This definition is from Merriam-Webster.]

6. motet: a choral composition, usually unaccompanied, based on a sacred text

7. paean: a hymn or song of praise, thanks, or triumph

8. round: a song in which multiple singers sing the same melody and lyrics

9. roundelay: a simple song that includes a refrain

10. work song: a song structured to aid in the performance of a rhythmic group task

For an even longer list of different ways to say song, see Daily Writing Tips.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773

Symitar Documentation Services

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended
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On the ninth day of English

My true love game to me

A bunch of words from the

Nineteenth century.

Today we’re taking a trip back to the 1800s, when people like Lewis Carrol, Charles Dickens, and other great writers were making up new words or redefining existing words to meet their creative needs. Today’s list is just a few of those words, but the full list of 25 in at DailyWritingTips.

This post lists a number of words that were introduced to the lexicon by novelists and other writers during the nineteenth century.

1. actualize: Poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge came up with this verb form of actual to refer to realizing a goal; self-actualization came much later.

2. chintzy: Writer George Eliot crafted the adjective meaning “cheap,” “stingy,” or “unfashionable” from chintz, the word for a Calico print originating in India.

3. chortle: Lewis Carroll came up with this mashup of chuckle and snort.

4. doormat: Novelist Charles Dickens was the first person to use the word doormat (hyphenated) to allude to someone figuratively being walked all over.

5. flummox: Dickens coined this nonsense word alluding to being bewildered or perplexed.

6. intensify: Poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge coined this term with the justification that “render intense” did not fit the meter of a poem he was writing.

7. narcissist: Coleridge, inspired by the Greek myth of the self-absorbed youth Narcissus, came up with this term to describe a person similarly afflicted with self-admiration, though the psychological condition of narcissism refers also to a lack of empathy and, paradoxical to the primary quality of a narcissist, low self-esteem.

8. psychosomatic: Coleridge came up with this term to refer to imagined maladies.

9. soulmate: Coleridge came up with this term (hyphenated) to refer to someone with whom one has a profound emotional connection.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773

Symitar Documentation Services

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended
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Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure or distribution
is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please
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On the eighth day of English

My true love gave to me,

Eight idioms that mean

Extremely hap-py!

An idiom is a turn of phrase that has “a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g., rain cats and dogs, see the light)” (from the Google dictionary). Today’s collection of idioms from My English Teacher, all mean happy.

1. Having a whale of a time
have a very good time, have an exciting or fun time

2. On cloud nine
very happy, cheerful

3. Tickled pink
very much pleased or entertained

4. On top of the world
feeling wonderful, glorious, ecstatic

5. Happy as a clam
very happy and comfortable

6. Buzzing
excited for something that’s going to happen

7. Over the moon
extremely pleased and happy

8. In seventh heaven
in a very happy state

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

On the seventh day of English

My true love sent to me

Seven bits of grammar

That you might find tricky.

Yes, I know most of you have seen these before, but they still stay at the top of the most often made errors in grammar. Many of you have sent in samples of signs you’ve seen with these errors, some of you complain that you receive emails with these mistakes, and I know that sometimes I even type the wrong word when I’m writing too fast. These are the top seven grammar errors, definitions of what they are, and examples of them being used correctly.

1) There/Their/They’re

· “There” means “in or at a place/point.”

Please put the suitcase there on the bed.

· “Their” is possessive.

John and Kat love all of the same things. Their favorite movie is Superman.

· “They’re” is a contraction of “they are.”

Bob and Dan said they’d be coming to the party. Do you know when they’re supposed to arrive?

2) Its/It’s

· “Its” is possessive.

A good dog knows its place is at the bottom of the bed, not on the pillows.

· “It’s” is a contraction of “it is.”

It’s a fact: today is the festival of the Balloon Man.

3) Your/You’re

· “Your” is possessive.

Please take your shoes off and leave them by the door.

· “You’re” is a contraction of “you are.”

Sandro saw his daughter’s Halloween costume and said, “You’re the most adorable little munchkin I’ve ever seen.”

4) Two/To/Too

· “Two” is a number.

He’s got a ticket to ride, but she’s got two tickets to paradise.

· “To” denotes an action.

I think I will wait until it is warmer to go swimming.

· “Too” means “also.”

Are you bringing a dessert to the holiday party, too?

5) Apostrophes

· The boy’s dog. The girl’s guitar. Sarah’s pencil. The Three Girls’ Bakery. (possessive)

That over there is Cecil’s “new” ’67 Chevy.

· The boys are going out. Girls just want to have fun. (plural)

We have three peach trees growing in our back yard.

6) Who’s/Whose

· “Who’s” is a contraction of “who is” or “who has.”

Who’s going to the fire circle tonight?

· “Whose” is possessive.

Does anybody know whose winged shoes these are in the doorway?

7) Could have/Would have/Should have

“Seeing ‘could of’ written down is one of the more shiver-inducing grammar mistakes around. Why is this happening? What does it mean?

What they’re trying to say is ‘could’ve’ which is a contraction of ‘could have.’ This is never interchangeable with ‘could of’ which doesn’t mean anything, ever.” [KC – My apologies, I
don’t remember which website I got this quote from.]

Why did you bring two games when you could’ve brought four?

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

On the sixth day of English

My true love sang to me

Some funny tunes that turned

To mondegreens.

It’s been some time since we’ve talked about mondegreens, also known as misheard song lyrics. Today I visited a website named after a mondegreen for some Jimi Hendrix lyrics. The words in the actual song are “Excuse me, while I kiss the sky.” The mondegreen is “Excuse me, while I kiss this guy.”

Here are six mondegreens from Kiss This Guy:

And for those of you who prefer rap:

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services

On the fifth day of English

You sent me different peeves.

Five good examples of what

Drives you cra-a-zy.

A few weeks ago, I got up on my soapbox and preached about not using the word “utilize” when “use” would work just fine. Several of you wrote back to mention some of your peeves, and I have to agree with you. In fact, I’d just run into some new jargon that was making me choke on my oatmeal, and one of you wrote to me about it. So let’s get into it! What’s on your peeve list? Below are some quotes and comments from your coworkers, along with my responses. Peeve away!

consume
“Instead of saying, ‘programs can use this service’ for some reason the buzz phrase is ‘programs can consume this service.’ Drives me nuts.”

[KC] This is the word that make me choke! I saw it in an article online and thought it was a typo! Consume this service? Are you using it to do something or are you eating it? Smoking it? I don’t know, but I don’t like this use of the word. If someone thinks it is a typo, you probably should use vocabulary that is more straightforward.

preplan

“How silly is that? Can’t you just say ‘plan’?”

[KC] Exactly, mon ami! Why do we need to plan before making a plan? Go with Nike® and Just Do It!™

at this time

“I catch myself rolling my eyes every time I hear that one.”

[KC] This is one of those page-filling phrases that could be much shorter and more specific. Are you trying to meet a 500-word minimum for an article, or are you letting people know something? Does at this time mean now? Today? 10:00 a.m.? Cut this phrase out of your life. It’s non-specific and wishy-washy, and several of your co-workers may be rolling their eyes.

moot vs. mute

[KC] Mute means unable to speak, or to muffle or quiet sound, such as muting your phone so people can’t hear your dogs barking. Moot means subject to debate or dispute; arguable, unsettled, unresolved. The phrase is “moot point.”

absolutely

“May we have an e-mail about absolutely, and why we shouldn’t use it so often?”

[KC] “Yes” is a fine response when someone asks a question. Here is an entire

CNN article on the overuse of the word absolutely in its many forms.

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

619-542-6773 | Ext: 766773

Symitar Documentation Services

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended
exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message,
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immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete all copies.