pronunciation - Is "forte" pronounced "fort" or "for-tay"? - English ...
Aug 21, 2010 · As reported by the NOAD, the pronunciation is |ˈfɔrˌteɪ| or |fɔrt|, whenever forte means a thing at which someone excels, or loud/loudly. In the first case, the origin of the word …
Where does the phrase "hold down the fort" come from?
Jun 19, 2015 · Using the google on books finds a "down" usage from 1951. It took Wilson Follett and Jacques Barzun fifteen years to contemne this phrase in their *Modern American Usage: …
Differences between "propensity", "predilection" and "proclivity"
Jan 17, 2012 · They're essentially synonymous: Proclivity is 'leaning to', propensity is 'nearness to' and predilection is 'preference for'. Worry about something more significant like the misuse of …
Neesh or Nitch? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
Aug 20, 2010 · What is the correct way to pronounce niche? I've always said and heard nitch, but now I hear neesh, but it always sounds trendy to me. Thoughts?
grammar - Two year's experience or two years' experience or two …
Dec 29, 2015 · The title says it all; which is correct? Two year's experience or Two years' experience or Two years experience? Likewise, One year's experience or One years …
Pronouncing acronyms - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
Jun 10, 2011 · I've noticed that some people in my office spell out "data import tool" as D. I. T., whereas others will say "dit" (like "ditty"). Is trying to pronounce an acronym as a word, as …
Should I use "everyone's", "everyones'" or "everyones"?
As Robusto says, you should use everyone’s.Neither everyones’ nor everyones is a word.. Note that everyone is always singular and cannot be pluralized, which means everyones is incorrect.
Equivalent of "former" and "latter" for more than 2 items
Jul 8, 2018 · Strictly speaking, this is true. But as the full OED points out, Use of the latter when referring to the last-mentioned member of a group of three or more (rather than the last), or to …
What is the origin of the term "ginger" for red-headed people?
Aug 31, 2014 · I know the long odds, and hedging is my forte. Have always been fortunate in calling seven and nicking it. As to cricket, when I played last summers, the amateurs declared …
Why does "one half" have no hyphen, but "two-thirds" does?
Jul 31, 2015 · I often see the fraction ⅔ written with a hyphen, but I never see ½ written with one. Is it correct to have the hyphen in two-thirds, and if so why don't we write one-half?