Part 3

~base~, ~bass~: Discriminate carefully between these terms. _Base_ means the bottom or support of anything, that part on which it rests; also, that which is low. _Base_ is sometimes used in the sense of _found_; as, “he _based_ his argument on the evidence.” In chemistry it is a compound which unites with acid to form a salt. _Bass_ is the name of various sea-fishes; also the name of a tree and of things made from its fiber. In music the _bass_ consists of the lowest tones in the scale, instrumental or vocal.

~bat~: Formerly a provincialism but now a vulgarism for “wink.” Do not say “Quit _batting_ your eyes at me;” say rather, that is, if you must say anything of the kind, “Stop winking at me.”

~bathos~ and ~pathos~ are sometimes separated by only a fine line, and it may be rather a matter of intelligence than of philology that fails to make use of the desirable term. _Pathos_ is from the Greek _pascho_, suffer, and designates the quality that awakens the tender emotions, as compassion or sympathy; _bathos_ is from the Greek _bathys_, deep, and signifies a ridiculous descent from the lofty to the depths of commonplace.

~battalion~: In this word the “t” is always doubled, as in _battle_, from which it is derived; it is, however, correctly spelled with only one “l.”

~bear~. See BARE.

~beastly~: A British colloquialism expressive of disgust or contempt; as, “This is _beastly_ weather”; sometimes even used adverbially; as, “I was _beastly_ tired.” This locution, essentially in bad taste, though often affected by college students and others who should know better, seems never to be defensible except in the phrase “_beastly_ drunk,” and even this is objectionable as being a libel on the beast. Compare NASTY.

~beat~ should not be used for “defeat.”

~beat it~ should not be used for “go away” or “clear out.”

~beat the band~: A vulgarism for “to surpass or be immeasurably superior to.”

~because~: Although this word means “for the reason” it is often used in the same sentence with this expression--“The reason why I do this is _because_ (= for the reason that) I please myself by doing it.” Substitute _that_ for _because_.

~because why~: A term common among the illiterate. _Because_ is used correctly when it precedes the explanation of an act; _why_, when used interrogatively. Do not say “I did it, _because why_”; here omit “why” and continue with the reason for the act. Instead of “I did not come sooner; _because why_?” “I was delayed.” Say “I did not come sooner; why? I was delayed.”

~beef~ is coarse slang for “boast” or “brag.”

~begin~: _Commence_ is frequently substituted for _begin_ work where the change should not be made. _Begin_ is applied to order of time; _commence_ relates to the work on hand with reference to its subsequent completion. The man who strikes the first blow _begins_ a fight, but both parties to a law suit _commence_ litigation at the moment when they severally undertake the first step.

~begin by him~: This is incorrect; say, “begin _with_ him.”

~behave~: Strictly means “comport.” When used with a reflexive pronoun as, “Behave _yourself_,” this word is correctly applied. When the pronoun is omitted as, “Will you _behave_?” the sentence is incomplete and the expression a mere colloquialism.

~being~: The phrases “is _being_ built,” “was _being_ built,” and kindred forms of English imperfects passive are condemned by certain critics as recent and unwarranted; Fitzedward Hall points out that they are neither recent nor unwarranted, and have been used by the best writers for a century. He says: “Prior to the evolution of _is being built_ and _was being built_, we possessed no discriminate equivalents of _ædificatur_ and _ædificabatur_; _is built_ and _was built_, by which they were rendered, corresponding exactly to _ædificatus est_ and _ædificatus erat_.”--_Modern English_, App., p. 350.

_Is growing_, _was growing_, indicate an activity from within; as, the tree _is growing_ (from its own internal forces); _is being grown_, _was being grown_, the activity of some agent from without; as, the plant _is being grown_ (by the gardener). So also, and strikingly, _is bleeding_ (as from a wound), and _is being bled_ (as by a surgeon).

~belong~: Used absolutely; as, “He doesn’t _belong_,” “We all _belong_” (_sc._, to this organization, society, community, or in the place, sphere, or associations where actually present): recent in the United States, and apparently rapidly spreading in popular use, though with no literary support.

~beneficence~, ~benevolence~: Although formerly the meanings of these words were distinct they are not so any longer, and _benevolence_ now includes _beneficence_. “_Beneficence_, the quality of being beneficent or charitable: _benevolence_ is the disposition to seek the well-being or comfort of others; charitableness.” According to the etymology and original usage _beneficence_ is the doing well, _benevolence_, the wishing or willing well to others; but _benevolence_ has come to include _beneficence_ and to displace it. We should not now speak of _benevolence_ which did not help.

~benefit~. Compare ADVANTAGE.

~bequest~, ~devise~, ~legacy~: These words are not exactly synonymous. A _bequest_ is a leaving by will of personal property of any kind; a _devise_ is a gift of land by a last will and testament; a _legacy_ is personal property bequeathed. _Devise_ is sometimes used loosely for any testamentary disposition of property but, applied strictly, refers specifically to land, whereas _legacy_ applies to any kind of personal property.

~berth~, ~birth~: Discriminate carefully between these words. _Berth_, which is probably derived from _bear_, (Anglo-Saxon _beran_, carry), means a place of accommodation, whether as bunk or bed, apartment, or engagement. _Birth_, similarly pronounced and derived, means “a coming into existence.”

~beside~, ~besides~: Much confusion exists, and has long existed regarding these words. Gould, who in his work on “Good English” explained the use of these terms in 1856, from which Webster borrowed in 1876, states that “besides is always a preposition and only a preposition.” This is not so. It is sometimes an adverb when used in its prepositional sense of “by the side (of).”

Of _besides_ as a preposition, Skeat, in his “Etymological Dictionary,” says:--“The more correct form is _beside_; ‘besides’ is a later development, due to the habit of using the suffix -es to form adverbs; the use of _besides_ as a preposition, is, strictly incorrect, but is as old as the 12th century.”

_Beside_ is also a preposition in the sense of “in comparison with” and “physically or mentally remote from.” “_Beside_ your work his is poor”; “_Beside_ the point at issue”; “The poor fellow is _beside_ himself.” _Besides_ as a preposition means “in addition to” or “except.” “_Besides_ wealth he had health”; “_Besides_ death he knew no fear.” As an adverb it means “moreover” or “other than.” “_Besides_, it is late”; “He was heedless of all the world _besides_.” _Beside_, then, conveys the idea of conjunction, separation or comparison; whereas _besides_ implies addition or exception.

~between~. Compare AMONG.

~between you and I~: This is incorrect. Both pronouns are objects of the preposition _between_ and should be in the objective case; say “_between you and me_.” Compare YOU AND I.

~bevy~: A word sometimes misapplied. It is applied correctly to a company of girls, a flock of birds, as, quail, grouse, or larks; also to a small herd of deer or heifers.

~big~, ~great~: Discriminate carefully between these words. _Big_ is not synonymous with _great_. A man may be physically _big_ but is not necessarily _great_ mentally. Emerson was mentally a _great_ man, and although tall physically he was not a _big_ man. _Big_ and _large_ are synonymous, but while _big_ is more emphatic, _large_ is a more refined or elegant term.

~big-bug~: A slang term used to denote a person of consequence, actual or self-imagined. Say rather, “A prominent” or, “an important man.”

~big-wig~: A slang term common in England for a person in authority or of prominence. Compare BIG-BUG.

~bird~: In the phrase “You’re a bird” an inane and, therefore, undesirable expression.

~bit~: Primarily a _bite_, a small _piece_, or by extension a small quantity; as, a _bit_ of bread, a _bit_ of fun. By error, the word is sometimes applied to liquids; as, “there is not a _bit_ of water on the farm.” But when reference is to liquid to be drunk, it is more discriminating to say, not a _bit_, but a _sip_.

~blame on~: Indefensible slang. We blame a person _for_ a fault, or lay the blame _upon_ him. Not, as in a New York newspaper, after the last Presidential election, “I do not _blame_ the defeat _on_ the President,” but “I do not _blame_ the President _for_ the defeat,” or “I do not _lay the blame ... upon_,” etc.

~blow~: A colloquialism for boastful talk, which is expressed less coarsely but with as much force by “bluster” or “brag.”

~blowhard~: A coarse term for “boaster” synonymous with windbag; not used by persons of refinement. Compare WINDBAG.

~boiled shirt~: A slang phrase designating a white linen shirt. It originated in the Western States of America but its use is widespread among persons addicted to careless diction.

~boost, to~: A vulgarism for “to assist”; used also as a noun, as “He gave me a _boost_ in business” for “He assisted me....”

~borne~, the past participle of _bear_, must not be confounded with the adjective ~born~. “Man is _born_ to sorrow, which may or may not be well _borne_.”

~both~: When _both_ is used in a negative sentence, the meaning intended is sometimes doubtful. “_Both_ applicants were not accepted.” Were both applicants rejected? Or, was one rejected and the other accepted? Or, was neither applicant accepted or rejected? A similar confusion of sense occurs in some negative sentences containing _all_, when _not_ is misplaced; this practically contradicts the sense intended, or makes it ambiguous; as, _all_ will not go, that is, _not all_ will go--meaning some will and some will not go. “_All_ were not of that mind” (probably) _not all_ were of that mind, or (possibly) _all_ were of a different mind or minds from the one spoken of. So, also, when all is used substantively. “_All_ that glisters is not gold”--_not all_ that glisters is gold. A peculiarity of _both_ is that it can not be negatived by connecting _not_ immediately with it, except elliptically in sentences of unusual form that are obviously arranged for the prevention of misunderstanding--as in correcting the doubtful meaning of the sentence cited above, “_Both_ applicants were not accepted.” If one asks, in order to clear its confusing impression, “Were _both_ rejected?” the reply may properly be, “_Not both_ were rejected; one was rejected and one accepted”--a connection of _not_ with _both_ that is usually inadmissible. The confusion in meaning of a negative sentence containing _both_ will be best avoided by making the sentence affirmative; “_Both_ applicants were rejected,” “One of the two applicants was rejected and the other accepted,” etc.--STANDARD DICTIONARY.

~both~: As an adjective or pronoun _both_ emphasizes the idea of _two_. It has been well defined as “the two, and not merely one of them”; it can not properly, therefore, be connected with or refer to more than two objects. As a conjunction, however, _both_ has a more extended meaning and employment than it has as an adjective or a pronoun; thus, it is permissible to say, “He lost all his live stock--_both_ horses, cows, and sheep.” _Both_, as so used, emphasizes the extent or comprehensiveness of the assertion. The use has been challenged, but has abundant literary authority, and antedates Chaucer.

~both alike~: A pleonasm. Two things may be _alike_ but _alike_ should not be used as an adjective. _Both_ daughters may be _like_ their mother, but to say they are _both alike_, meaning that they resemble each other, is incorrect. _Both_ should never be used with _alike_.

~bounce~: A colloquialism for “discharge” or “eject forcibly,” an apt rather than an elegant term.

~bound~: This word may be the participial adjective of _buā_, prepare, or the past participle of _bindan_, bind. The words should not be confused. “I am _bound_ to have it:” yes, if constrained or compelled; but no, if merely resolved. It is true that in the United States a colloquial usage to this effect has become popular, but it is none the less an error of speech.

~bountiful~, ~plentiful~: _Bountiful_ which originally meant “generous in bestowing gifts” has gradually come to mean “showing abundance,” “yielding in plenty.” In the latter sense it is synonymous with _plentiful_.

~bourne~: From the French _borne_, bourne (Latin _bodina_, limit), means that which marks the end, and hence the end or goal. It does not mean _country_ which it is so often supposed to mean--presumedly from Hamlet’s “undiscovered country, from whose _bourne_ no traveller returns.” Readers who on this authority construe _bourne_ as country make the mistake of substituting the word “which” for the phrase “whose” bourne.

~brand-new~ often incorrectly written _bran-new_. The original and etymologically correct form of this word is _brand-new_, from _brand_, meaning “fire” or “burning,” and _new_ meaning “fresh”--the “fire-new” of Shakespeare (Twelfth Night, act. iii., sc. 2) is best explained by his own words, “fire-new from the mint,” meaning “fresh and bright” like a new coin, as being newly come from the fire and forge. _Bran-new_ is a colloquialism.

~brand of Cain~: By a peculiar perversion of facts, this is invariably referred to as a stigma similar to the scarlet letter with which Hester Prynne was indeed branded. But the brand was an act of mercy and “a token of Divine protection,” for “the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest any finding him should slay him.”

~bravery~, ~courage~: Inasmuch as the courageous may be without _bravery_ and the brave without _courage_ a careful discrimination should always be made in the use of these terms. _Courage_ is rather a virtue of the mind, whereas _bravery_ is temperamental. Your _courage_ may ooze out, as it were, at the palms of your hands, but bravery which is instinctive, remains. For this reason bravery may often be misplaced, true _courage_--which ever seeks to do the right thing at the right time, regardless of results--never.

~bred and born~: An erroneous sequence of words. One is _born_ before one is _bred_; therefore say “_born and bred_.”

~brevity~, ~conciseness~: Words sometimes misused. _Brevity_ is commonly applied to shortness of time, but it has the sanction of literary usage for _conciseness_ or condensation of language into few words. A speech may be _concise_ yet comprehensive; that is, it may cover the entire range of a subject in few words and as such be characterized by _conciseness_; another may be short in duration, the theme being one that does not permit of expansion and as such be characterized by _brevity_.

~bring~, ~carry~, ~fetch~: Discriminate carefully between these words. _Bring_ expresses motion toward some person, place, or thing, and implies to bear from a distant place to one nearer; _carry_ expresses motion away from; _fetch_ expresses motion from a given place to another, as for the purpose of obtaining some article, and return to the given place with the article required. _Go and fetch_ is pleonastic.

~Britannia~: This word is often misspelled “Brittannia.” It is from Britain and should be spelled with only one “t” but two “n’s.”

~broach~, ~brooch~: Discriminate carefully between these terms. Although both are derived from the same source etymologically (Latin, _broca_, a spike) they are now widely different in meaning. A _broach_ may mean “a boring into an opening, a spit, or a spire.” It is also the name of the boring bits or drills used in carpentering or engineering. It means also “to approach any one in conversation” on some particular subject. A _brooch_ is “a breastpin or an ornamental pin or clasp used as for display or to fasten some part of a dress.”

~broke~: A word often misused for “broken.” Do not say “I’m _broke_” say rather “broken”--~To go broke~: A colloquial phrase common in commercial circles for “to become bankrupt.” These terms are avoided by persons who cultivate a refined diction.

~brothers~: Distinguished from ~brethren~. The one applies to those who are _brothers_ by birth, whereas the other indicates fraternal relationship in some order or society.

~building~, ~being built~: There are advocates of either form. Fitzedward Hall has shown conclusively that “is being built” has been used by the best writers for a century or more, and now has universal literary sanction. Richard Whately, George P. Marsh, Richard Grant White, and other critics have strenuously objected to this use. In literature there is support enough for their views: Milton wrote “while the Temple of the Lord _was building_.” Dr. Johnson, in writing to Boswell, of his _Lives of the Poets_ said “My ‘Lives’ _are reprinting_;” Macaulay followed the same style and wrote “Chelsea Hospital _was building_”; “while innocent blood _was_ shedding.” _Being_ has a special modern use with passive forms of verbs to express progressive action. For example, is, are, or _was being_ built, expresses what is expressed also by is, are, or _was building_, _a-building_, or _in building_. Both forms are permissible, but “is _being built_” is more frequently heard and, perhaps, preferable.

~building~, ~construction~: Alfred Ayres (_Some Ill-used Words_, p. 44) quotes the following example of the misuse of these words: “These two advisory bodies have recommended the _building_ of battleships. It is understood that Mr. Long is opposed to the _construction_ [constructing] of any armorclads.” Mr. Ayres points out that if _building_ is correct--and it is--then _construction_ is incorrect and the correct word to use is _constructing_.

~bum~: A vulgar term for “an idle, dissolute fellow; a loafer,”--~on the bum~. A vulgar phrase used to denote that that to which it is applied is of poor quality, badly done, or has been subjected to careless treatment.

~busted~: A slang term for financially broken, not used by persons accustomed to a refined diction. Compare BROKE.

~but~, ~however~: Discriminate carefully between these words. Do not say “He is suffering--not, _however_, acutely;” say rather, “He is suffering, _but_ not acutely.”

~but that~: Implies a negative, but when it follows another negative phrase (as “I _don’t know but that_ I did it”) it suggests the positive or, as in the example given above, the likelihood or possibility that some act has been done. Locutions of this kind should be avoided as inelegant, say rather “I may have done it.”

~but what~: This is equivalent to _but that which_ and is an incorrect expression for _but that_. “I am not sure _but what_ I shall be there” should be written _but that_, and indicates the possibility or even probability of being there; but note that if the _but_ be omitted from the latter (and correct) usage, the indication is the reverse. Compare BUT THAT.

~but yet~: Should not be used when either _but_ or _yet_ is sufficient by itself; as, “Wealth may seek us; _but_ wisdom must be sought”; not _but yet_. When, however, Archbishop Trench says, “_But yet_ these pains hand us over to true pleasures” (_Study of Words_, p. 232), each conjunction has its distinct adversative sense. This appears still more clearly in “Ye are but common men, _but_ [on the contrary] _yet_ [notwithstanding that fact] ye think with minds not common.”--COLERIDGE _Wallenstein_ 2, 3.

~bute~: A vulgar corruption of “beauty” used by illiterates; as, “She’s a _bute_.” Correctly “She is a beauty” or “a beautiful woman.”

~butt in, to~: A vulgar although expressive phrase meaning “to interfere officiously or inquisitively with,” not used by persons accustomed to refined diction.

~by~: Properly used before the agent or doer; _with_ before the instrument or means; as, “He was killed _by_ the assassin _with_ a dagger.” But active forces are often thought of as agents, so that we properly say “The house was destroyed _by_ fire.” “His friends were displeased _by_ the selection of another chairman” means that the action displeased them; “his friends were displeased _with_ the selection,” etc., means that the man selected was not their choice.

“A gentleman _by_ the name of Hinkley.”

“Oh, no! You mean ‘A gentleman _of_ the name of Hinkley.’ This is English, you know.”

One may say “I know no one _of_ the name of Brown,” or “I know no one _by_ the name of Brown”; but the meaning is different. One might know a man _of_ the name of Brown, but know him _by_ the name of Smith. It is better to say simply “a man named Brown.”--STANDARD DICTIONARY.

C

~cabbage~ for “steal” or “crib,” as from a pony, is schoolboy slang.

~cake, takes the~: A slang equivalent for “wins the prize.” Used usually to designate that the person, act, or statement to which it is applied exceeds in impudence anything within the knowledge of the persons present.

~calculate~: The verb signifies to ascertain by mathematical or scientific computation; and the word _calculated_ therefore strictly means adapted by calculation. It is then illogical to speak of “measures _calculated_ to do harm” when the measures were in fact designated for a specific purpose--that of doing good.

~calligraphy~ and ~cacography~ respectively mean good and bad writing. It is therefore pleonastic to speak of excellent _calligraphy_ or wretched _cacography_; and to describe the former as wretched would simply be to say that at the same time it was both excellent and the reverse.

~cameo~: The plural of the word is not formed by adding “-es” as in “potato” or “grotto” but by the adding of “-s”; as, _cameos_.

~can~: Misused for _may_. _Can_ always refers to some form of possibility. An armed guard may say “You _can_ not pass,” since he has physical power to prevent; hence the question “_Can_ I pass the guard?” is perfectly natural. But where simple permission is required _may_ should be used. “_May_ I (not _can_ I) use your ruler?”

~can but~, ~can not but~: Discriminate carefully between these phrases. Both these sentences are grammatically correct, though they have not exactly the same meaning: “I _can not but_ believe your proposition” means “I _can not help_ believing,” etc.; while “I _can but_ believe your proposition” means “I _can only_ believe,” etc., a much less strong assertion.

~canine~ should not be used for “dog.”

~cannon~, a tubular gun, comes from Greek _kanna_, reed, and must be distinguished from ~canon~, a rule or law, which comes from the Greek _kanon_, rule.

~capacity~. Compare ABILITY.

~caption~ is not to be used in the sense of title, save as to a legal document “showing the time, place, circumstances and authority--under which it was made or executed.” “The affectation of fine big-sounding words which have a flavor of classical learning has had few more laughable or absurd manifestations than the use of _caption_ (which means seizure, act of taking) in the sense ... of heading.”--R. G. WHITE, _Words and Their Uses_, ch. 5, p. 98.

~carnival~, which comes from the Latin _caro_, flesh, + _levo_, take away, and alludes in Catholic countries to the pre-Lenten “farewell to meat,” which concludes with Mardi Gras, has been stigmatized by Dr. William Mathews as an “outlandish term” which “has not a shadow of justification” in the popular sense of a gay festivity or revel. Inasmuch as the pre-Lenten farewell is marked by festival, frolic and fun, the stigmatization is undeserved, and such expressions as “the crows are holding high _carnival_ on the hill” are not merely permissible but good.