Monthly Archives: January 2011

Assure, ensure, insure, and one mean old shark

Posted on January 25, 2011 by

Lesson: When to use assure, ensure, and insure Last week I was waiting in my doctor’s office, casually taking in the wall art (you know, the cartoon man coughing phlegm into a face mask to remind you to be careful … Continue reading →

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Studying Yogi-isms, but instead of “all over again,” it’s for the first time, at least on this blog

Posted on January 20, 2011 by

Lesson: Reducing redundancy and contradiction Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra was as well known for the RBIs he made while wearing a Yankee’s jersey as he was for his off-field RBIs, or “Real Berra Intelligence.” (Wow. I can actually hear your … Continue reading →

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Semantic pleonasm, or “Is that how you say things up North?”

Posted on January 18, 2011 by

Lesson: Recognizing redundancy in language – “Your purchase comes with a free gift!” – “Let’s join together in congratulations.” – “Each and every person is special.” The italicized words above are called “semantic pleonasms.” “Semantic pleonasm” is a fancy way … Continue reading →

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What do we call Jared Loughner?

Posted on January 12, 2011 by

Lesson: problems with labeling criminals and crimes In the still fresh aftermath of Jared Loughner’s shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killing of six others last weekend, some labels feel appropriate to use— “frightening” and “shocking” come to mind. But … Continue reading →

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An Historical Event? I don’t think so.

Posted on January 10, 2011 by

Lesson: “a” versus “an” with a word starting with the letter “h” Once upon a time, I studied French in Geneva, Switzerland, and my teacher was . . . interesting. Aside from chuckling under my breath when she would come … Continue reading →

Posted in grammar, story time, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments