language teaching

Misuse or Abuse?

Niall O'Donnell 8 Comments

As we’re getting closed to Hallowe’en, I’ve been seeking out horror books, films, and TV programmes. This is why I’ve been watching The Haunting of Hill House recently on Netflix. It’s OK so far, but not particularly scary, and not in the same league as the novel it’s based on or its 1963 film adaptation. 

Before the last episode I watched, there was an interesting phrase in the content warning during the credits: drug misuse. Odd, I thought, that sounds much less natural than drug abuse, which is a much more common phrase. Why would they say that? Continue reading →

Accidentally or Accidently

Niall O'Donnell 3 Comments

The other day I was walking past a sign which contained the word tragically. I had to stop and look at it, really look at it, because I was convinced that it was misspelled.

I couldn’t quite put my finger on why though. It certain looked too long (and that might have been due to the kerning), but every letter seemed to be in the right place. Continue reading →

What Do Twelve Eskimos Make?

Niall O'Donnell 15 Comments

An Eskiyear!!

OK, that doesn’t make any sense, does it? Let me explain why. Continue reading →

Hippopotamus

Niall O'Donnell 6 Comments

I already told you about this word, whose meaning you probably knew about anyway: it’s one of those interesting bits of trivia that’s often thrown about. Continue reading →

Comfortably Numb

Niall O'Donnell 4 Comments

Yesterday, I picked up a bargain at a Record & CD Fair: an old vinyl copy of Pink Floyd‘s The Wall for €38. Considering it’s a double album, that’s not such a bad deal. The second-most famous song on the album is probably “Comfortably Numb.” Listening to it last night reminded me of how odd that word comfortably sounds… Continue reading →

Springfield

Niall O'Donnell 4 Comments

Springfield is a particularly common toponym in the English language, especially in the United States. Continue reading →

The Horn of Plenty

Niall O'Donnell Leave a comment

Lots of animals have horns. Cows have horns. Rhinoceroses, goats, antelopes, all have horns.

Buildings though, generally don’t have horns. Continue reading →