It's the crazy time before Thanksgiving, so I'm doing an easy post- 5 Random Things About Words.
1. When should we use 'enquire' versus 'inquire?'
According to Dictionary.com, they are interchangeable. The difference is 'enquire' is the British derivation and is more 'formal.' Most Americans use 'inquire.' So fret not, there is no wrong answer when using either.
2. What is the controversy of 'should of' versus 'should have?'
The proper wording is 'should have' and not 'should of.' i.e. I should have written this post sooner. DON'T say 'should of.' EVER.
3. Is it 'egg nog' or 'eggnog?'
Since it's 'egg roll' or plain 'nog' I assumed it was 'egg nog.' It's NOT. It's 'eggnog' - 1 word.
4. Why does Scrabble let you use some foreign language words, and not others?
Frankly, this annoys me. If I can use 'qi' (Chinese word for circulating life energy) and casa (Spanish for home) and faux (French for fake) why can't I use faux pas? Their rules are inconsistent and make it hard to play the game without a dictionary.
5. Five fun words I love but will probably never use:
1- Googly (n) a bowled ball that swerves in one direction and breaks in the other.
2- Thingamabob (n) which means thingamajig which means a gadget or other item for which a person can't remember the proper name.
3- Dooblydo (n) is a YouTube term which gives info about a video such as what the video is about, who made it, and relevent links.
4- Argle bargle (n) copious but meaningless talk or writing.
5- Defervescence (v) medical term which means the lessening of a fever.
That's my 5 x 5 ( term used by Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer meaning things were good, or, in military terms, that a person is being received loud and clear over the radio) but I'm using it literally- 5 things, 5 words.
Have a SAFE and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Char
