English Learning Tip # 12
Learn English Vocabulary Tip Learn Synonyms
Interesting Words – Dictionary Additions
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has added over 1,000 words. (New entries include air-punching – the act of thrusting a clenched fist into the air in elation or triumph. A gender for designating people who do not identify themselves as a particular gender. Bovver – part of the catchphrase of comedian Catherine Tate’s teenage character […]
Most Overused Words of 2013
It has just come to my attention that Time magazine carried out a poll of the most overused words of 2013. Here’s the list:- Twerk (It’s not the word that’s over the top) Selfie (This was also named word of the year by the Oxford English Dictionary!) Passion / Passionate (Especially in job interviews.) Look (The […]
British vs American English
Attributed to John Cleese: NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF INDEPENDENCE Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. (Except Utah, which she does not fancy.) Your new prime minister will appoint a minister for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be […]
New meanings
The Oxford English Dictionary has revised the ‘senses” of 285,403 words, from a total of 796,591 ‘senses’. According to Graeme Diamond, OED’s principle editor of “new words” (yup that’s his title), “… sense means ‘distinct meaning’. For example the entry for ‘muffin top’ has two senses: the first one is obviously “the top of a muffin”, […]