I don’t want to sound like a snob or an elitist or anything, but I do fear that in the not too distant future, everything will either be termed “awesome” or “sucks”. At least that’s the way things seem to be going based on what I see on Twitter and Facebook. Anything that’s good will [...]
Archive for the ‘Language’ Category
I Do Fear That…
Sunday, 12 February, 2012
The Quest Continues…
Wednesday, 29 December, 2010
Some of you might know that I am on a personal quest to rid the world of the adjective “heartwarming” especially when it pertains to the promoting of plays and musicals and movies and stuff, so therefore, every so often I will submit a post on why it irks me to see this term being [...]
Common Words
Saturday, 19 June, 2010
I once mentioned that the most common word you’d probably find in arts synopses is “heartwarming”. Copywriters seem to like to use “heartwarming” to describe everything, such as “a heartwarming comedy”, or “this heartwarming tale of love and friendships will be sure to…” etc. It is, after all, one of those can’t-fail adjectives isn’t it? I [...]
Meanwhile? Meantime?
Friday, 21 May, 2010
Which would you go for: a) “In the meanwhile”? or b) “In the meantime”? Apparently, both can be used. Personally, I would prefer to use “in the meantime”, because “in the meanwhile” just doesn’t really seem right to me. If I’m going to use the word “meanwhile”, I’m just going to say “Meanwhile…yada yada yada”.
Lest Too Light Winning Make The Prize Light
Friday, 9 April, 2010
They’re playing “The Tempest” at the Esplanade these few days, as part of the famed The Bridge Project. I don’t intend to go for it cos I’m not really a Shakespeare person, and I can’t really afford the tickets. Now I’ve never read “The Tempest” before, but there’s one particular quote in it that I [...]
More English Conundrums
Saturday, 3 April, 2010
Ok, more English conundrums to ponder over. These are stuff we often come across, but I seldom hear people ask about. Firstly, is it “the battle wages on” or “the battle rages on”? Which would you use? I would use “rages”. Next, is it “he attends to the customers’ needs” or “he tends to the [...]
“Heartwarming” – The All-Powerful Adjective?
Wednesday, 24 March, 2010
Occasionally I would browse the SISTIC website and other arts listings to look out for interesting upcoming productions to watch. And over the years, I’ve noticed one particular adjective that keeps jumping out at me time and time again. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but is the term “heartwarming”, like, the most omnipotent [...]
Flibbertigibbet
Wednesday, 20 January, 2010
This is so cool. Today marks the first time in my life I’ve actually seen the word “flibbertigibbet” being used in any article. (Yup, it’s a real word folks.) And it was used by none other than Ong Sor Fern in her Life! review of the movie “My One and Only”, starring Renée Zellweger. Of [...]
Have You Ever Heard A “Pffft!”???
Thursday, 7 January, 2010
I once asked if anyone has ever heard a “woot!”. I managed to get a good answer on the origin of the term, but not as to whether people actually say it out in real life. Now my next question is whether anyone has ever heard a “pffft!”? (I believe there are 3 “f”s in [...]
Have You Ever Heard A “Woot!”???
Wednesday, 18 November, 2009
I’m not sure if you noticed, but quite a lot of people like to type the term “woot!”. As in “I’m looking forward to tonight. Woot!“ Or “Woot! It’s a good day today!” Now I’m not sure about you, but I’m a bit curious as to how this term “woot!” came about. And honestly…has anybody [...]
