Part 10

~only~: This word, whose correct position depends upon the intention of the author, is often misplaced. The examples of the uses of _only_ here given will serve to illustrate correct usage. “_Only_ his father spoke to him”; here _only_ means that of all persons who might have spoken, but one, his father, spoke to him. “His father _only_ spoke to him” implies that his father “only _spoke_” and did not scold him, which, perhaps, he might have felt his duty called upon him to do. “His father spoke _only_ to him” means that, of all the persons present, his father chose to speak to him alone, but this sentence may perhaps be more lucidly expressed “His father spoke to him _only_.”

~on the level~. See under LEVEL.

~on the street~. Compare IN THE STREET; ON.

~onto~: A word meaning “upon the top of,” avoided by purists as colloquial or vulgar. Condemned by Phelps as a vulgarism but now gradually growing in popularity. Inasmuch as its form is analogous to _into_, _unto_, _upon_, all of which are sanctioned by best usage, Phelps’s condemnation is perhaps a little premature. The word has been objected to by some critics as redundant or needless. “Considered as a new word (it is in reality a revival of an old form), it conforms to the two main neoteristic canons by which the admissibility of new words is to be decided. (See HALL, _Modern English_, pp. 171, 173.) It obeys the analogy of _in to_ = _into_. It may also be held to supply an antecedent blank, as may be shown by examples. It never should be employed where _on_ is sufficient; but simple _on_ after verbs of motion may be wholly ambiguous, so that _on to_, meaning ‘to or toward and _on_,’ may become necessary to clear up the ambiguity. ‘The boy fell _on_ the roof’ may mean that he fell while _on_ the roof, or that he fell, as from the chimney-top or some overlooking window, _to_ the roof so as to be _on_ it; but if we say ‘The boy fell _on to_ the roof,’ there is no doubt that the latter is the meaning. The canons for deciding the eligibility of new words appear therefore to claim for _on to_ the right to struggle for continued existence and general acceptance.” So says Dr. I. K. Funk in the STANDARD DICTIONARY.

~O~, _Oh_: Although often used indiscriminately it is generally conceded that “O” is used to express exclamation or direct address while “oh” is used to express the emotion of joy, pain, sorrow, or surprise. See the examples.

“O Mary, go and call the cattle home.” “O God, whose thunder shakes the skies.”

“Oh! say, can you see by the dawn’s early light”-- “Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud?”

~open up~ is properly used to signify “explore; discover; as, to _open up_ a new country,” but not so in the sense of “introduce; as, to _open up_ a subject.” Here the word _up_ is superfluous; but in this, as in the majority of cases where _open up_ is used, it would be better to substitute a more specific term. See UP.

~opinion~ is sometimes more than an _impression_, being a conclusion or judgment held with confidence, though falling short of positive knowledge. The word should therefore not be used interchangeably with _idea_, which may be a mere conception, with or without foundation for its belief. One may have an _idea_ of enjoyment, but hold an _opinion_ on the result of a campaign.

~or~. Compare IF; NOR.

~oral~ should be differentiated from ~verbal~. The former applies to what is spoken by mouth, whereas the latter indicates that which has been reduced to words.

~orate~: A term to avoid when “speak, declaim, harangue,” or a like word will express what is intended. It may, however, be fittingly used meaning “to play the orator, talk windily in round periods”: it meets the canon of “supplying an antecedent blank,” and is a legitimate word, especially in humorous or contemptuous use.

~ordinance~, ~ordnance~: These words have no relation in common. An _ordinance_ is a regulation ordained by some one in authority as a “municipal _ordinance_.” _Ordnance_ is artillery, especially heavy guns, cannon of all kinds, mortars, howitzers, etc.

~ornery~: A barbarous dialectism for “ordinary” which can not be too severely condemned.

~other~: This word is often improperly omitted from general comparisons; for instance, “All men are better than he” obviously should be “All _other_ men,” etc., as the person excepted of necessity belongs to the class embraced by “all men.”

~other~, ~otherwise~: When these words introduce a clause of comparison they should be followed by the conjunction _than_, instead of which the words _but_ and _except_ are often erroneously introduced. _Than_ is indeed the conjunction of simple comparison, and should be used after adjectives in the comparative degree. In better usage _else_ is also followed by _than_, unless the word is introduced, as frequently, without appreciably adding effect to the sentence; as, “She did nothing (_else_) _but_ weep,” though even here the introduction of the unnecessary word would make _than_ the preferable sequence. “He knew no _other_ course _than_ this”--not _but_ or _except_. “It can not operate _otherwise than_ for good”--not _but_. “No _quicker_ did he climb the rope _than_ (not _but_) back he fell.”

~ought~. Compare AUGHT.

~ought~, ~hadn’t~. See HAD OUGHT.

~out of sight~: An intense vulgarism for “superb.”

~over and above~, if redundant, is an undesirable expression. Avoid the addition of words to a sentence that fail to add to the sense. “_Over and above_ his debts illness had now to be provided for.” It were better to say “In _addition_ to his debts,” etc.

~over~, ~across~: _Over_ is sometimes misused for “across.” Do not say “go _over_ the bridge” when you mean _across_ it.

~overflowed~: The banks of a river may be _overflowed_; they should never be spoken of as _overflown_. There is no verb to _overfly_, but there is one to _overflow_ the participles of which are _overflowed_, _overflowing_. The termination--_flown_ used commonly by the illiterate is the past participle of _fly_. Although _flown_ originally meant “flooded” the word in the sense is now obsolete.

~over~, ~not over~: Opposed by some writers when used as equivalent to _more than_, _not more than_, but defensible as having a tinge of metaphor suggestive of overflowing quantity or overtopping height and having the support of literary usage.

~overshoes~. Compare RUBBERS.

~over with~: Avoid as incorrect all such sentences as, “When the game was _over with_, we enjoyed a cold collation.” Here the word “with” is redundant.

~owing~. Compare DUE.

~own~: Some critics object to the use of this word in the sense of _confess_, but it is sanctioned by literary usage and dates from the seventeenth century. ~To own up~, or ~to~, in the sense of “to make a full confession” or “to admit unreservedly when challenged” is a colloquialism.

P

~pack~: A word sometimes misapplied especially in speaking of a number of persons; as, “the whole _pack_.” It is correctly used when applied to dogs or wolves, hence, from the latter application, also to any band of men leagued together for evil purposes; as, “a _pack_ of thieves”: sometimes, also, correctly styled a _gang_.

~pain~. Compare PANE.

~pair~: Great care should be exercised in applying modifying adjectives to this word. Thus one may say “a new _pair_ of trousers;” “a new _pair_ of scissors;” but not “a new _pair_ of shoes.” There is a distinction in the use--“a new pair” as applied to gloves or shoes implies exchange of one pair for another; here, “a _different_ pair” would be preferred. In general, say, rather, “a _pair_ of new shoes”; “a _pair_ of new gloves.” This word remains _pair_ in the plural when it is preceded by a number: otherwise it takes the _s_. “Two _pair_ of gloves,” but “many _pairs_ of trousers.”

~pane~: Sometimes confused with ~pain~. The first designates “a piece, division or compartment, most commonly a plate of window glass”; the second denotes “a distressing or disagreeable emotion.” The spellings of the two words should never be confused, but occasionally are.

~pants~: A vulgarism or tailor’s cant for _pantaloons_ meaning _trousers_ which should be the word used by preference.

~paradox~: Commonly used incorrectly in the phrase “a seeming paradox,”--a thing that does not exist, a paradox being a statement that seems to be at variance with common sense. A statement may, however, be characterized as _paradoxical_.

~paraphernalia~, from the Greek _para_, beyond, + _phero_, bring, is properly applied to the personal articles, as jewelry, reserved to a wife over and above her dower or marriage portion, and should not be used in the sense of finery or regalia. Yet the application is common but savors of grandiloquence. The finery and regalia are not, or should not be, “over and above,” but should be as of right or of good taste. Compare OVER AND ABOVE.

~pare~, ~pair~: Words the spellings of which are sometimes confused. _Pare_, to remove the outer covering from is from the Latin _paro_ and means “prepare”; _pair_, designating two persons or things, is from the Latin _par_, which means “equal.” See PAIR.

~parenthesis~: The phrase _in parenthesis_ includes both signs, and an expression placed between these signs is therefore said to be “in parenthesis.” _Parentheses_ refers only to two or more sets of parenthetical expressions. Due care should be exercised in using this word.

~parson~: Although a good word used to designate “the clergyman of a parish,” _parson_ is often used contemptuously, and from this use has acquired a sense that detracts from the dignity of the office; therefore, is one to be avoided. Do not say “Our _parson_ is a popular man”; say, rather, “Our _minister_....”

~partake~ should never be used as a synonym for “eat” or “drink.” One may _partake of_ a meal with other persons, that is, share it with them, but one does not partake a meal by one’s self.

~partially~ should not be used for “partly,” as, having the meaning “with unjust favoritism” it may be misunderstood.

~party~, ~person~: Except in legal terminology, _person_ is preferable; _party_ means, in general, an entertainment. In the legal sense, _party_ is a person (or body of persons collectively) who (or which) takes a certain specified part in a legal transaction, as “A. B., the party of the first part.” From this application of the term, the word has been loosely extended to mean _person_. Do not say “A certain _party_,” etc., but “A certain _person_”; party in such a connection is a vulgarism.

~pathos~. Compare BATHOS.

~patrons~ should not be used for “customers.” A _patron_ is one who fosters a person or thing; a _customer_ is one who deals regularly at one establishment.

~peach~: Used in the sense of “beauty,” possibly from the delicate and downy skin of the fruit, is a playful though undesirable expression used commonly by young men and boys, especially in referring to women; as, “Isn’t she a peach!” Lexicographers do not recognize this usage of the word.

~peculiarly impressive~: A phrase heard sometimes for “singularly” or “strikingly impressive”; but the word is from the Latin _peculiaris_, “one’s own,” and it is in this respect that the individuality enters the case. What belongs exclusively to a person is _peculiarly_ his; and the sense of remarkable, as from singularity, intensity, or exceptionality, is better expressed by the word of this class best adapted to the case.

~pecuniary~. Compare FINANCIAL.

~peel~ should not be confused with ~peal~. The first designates “rind”; the second, “ring.”

~pell-mell~: This word etymologically implies a crowd and confusion and is not applied to an individual. Thus, “He rushed out _pell-mell_” should be “He rushed out hastily and excitedly.”

~penny~: In the plural this word is either _pennies_ or _pence_. In the one case it means a number of individual coins; in the second case it signifies a specific sum of money.

~people~: Where individual persons, or a number of such, are intended, this word should be discarded in favor of _persons_; as, “most _persons_ are of this opinion.” People means _persons_ collectively; as “_People_ say.”

~per~: This is a Latin preposition, correctly joined only with Latin words; as, _per centum_, abbreviated _per cent._; _per diem_; _per annum_. _Per head_ and _per person_, _per year_, _per day_ are common commercial locutions; use preferably the English forms _a_ head, _a_ person, _a_ year, _a_ day. If you must use a Latin phrase be sure you use all Latin.

~perfectly killing~: An inane expression used commonly by women for “in stylish attire,” and also, “intensely comic” or “absurd.” Compare SPLENDID.

~perform~ does not mean ~play~. One _performs_ music _on_ a piano or _plays the_ piano, but does not _perform_ the piano. To perform _on_ the piano would rather indicate “to strum” upon it or (if you like) _play upon_ or _play with_ it than to _play it_.

~perform~. Compare ASSUME.

~permit~. Compare ALLOW.

~perpetually~; Distinguish from _continually_. There is a difference between that which is done unceasingly and that which merely takes place constantly.

~person~. Compare PARTY.

~personalty~ is sometimes considered to mean articles of personal adornment. It does not. It is a legal term, now in contradistinction to _realty_, and includes therefore all movables, as money; personal property of any kind whatever, as household goods; chattels real and personal; things movable as distinguished from _realty_ or landed property in any form.

~persons~. Compare PEOPLE.

~perspicacity~, ~perspicuity~; Terms often confused. _Perspicacity_ is “acuteness, clear-sightedness or penetration”; _perspicuity_ is “clearness of expression or style, lucidity”; and is applied to speech and writing.

~persuade~, ~convince~: That which _persuades_, leads or attracts (Latin _suadeo_, advise), that which _convinces_, binds (Latin _vinco_, conquer). A person when _convinced_ that he is wrong is _persuaded_, by justice or interest, to amend his ways.

~peruse~ should not be used when the simple _read_ is meant. The former implies to read with care and attention and is almost synonymous with _scan_, which is to examine with critical care and in detail. A person is more likely to _read_ than to _scan_ or _peruse_ the Bible.

~petition~, ~partition~: Sometimes pronounced as if they were homophones, but they are not. Exercise care in their use. A _petition_ is a request, a _partition_ is that which separates anything into distinct parts.

~phenomenon~ is the singular of _phenomena_, and the distinction should be observed in speech. Avoid as incorrect such locution as “A remarkable phenomena.”

~piece, a~: A provincial vulgarism used in such phrases as “We went along the road _a piece_”; “he followed me _a piece_,” etc.

~pike~: A vulgarism used as a verb for “to move away rapidly,” and as a noun, contemptuously, for “a shiftless class of persons.”

~pillar~, ~pillow~: Discriminate carefully between these words. A _pillar_ is a firm, upright, separate support; a _pillow_ is a head-rest. Note the difference in the spellings.

~pile-in~: Slang for “get to work.”

~pipe-off~: A vulgarism for to “take in at a glance.”

~pity~, ~sympathy~: Not synonymous terms. _Pity_ awakens a feeling of grief or sorrow in one for the distress of another; _sympathy_ is a feeling kindred with that of another for his state or condition. _Sympathy_ implies a degree of equality which _pity_ does not. We may _pity_ one whom we disdain but we can not _sympathize_ with him.

~place~: Used objectively without a preposition, or even adverbially, a provincialism common in parts of the United States; as, “She is always wanting _to go places_”; “Can’t I _go any place_ (correctly _anywhere_)?” “I must _go some place_ (_somewhere_)”; “I can’t find it _any place_.” Such forms are solecisms.

~place~, ~plaice~: Homophones, so care should be exercised in their use and spelling. A _place_ is a particular point or portion of space; a _plaice_ is a fish.

~plank~: Used usually with “down” this term is commonly employed by persons careless of their diction for “pay out” or “lay down”: said especially of money, and a term to be avoided.

~plead~, ~pleaded~ or ~pled~, ~pleading~: The spelling of _pled_ for the past is not warranted, and is a colloquialism. Careful speakers use _pleaded_.

~pleasure~ is distinguished from _happiness_, although in common conversation the terms are frequently used as if they were synonymous. “By _happiness_,” says Hamilton, “is meant the complement of all the _pleasures_ of which we are susceptible.” Crabb says, “_Happiness_ comprehends that aggregate of _pleasurable_ sensations which we derive from external objects”: it is “a condition in which _pleasure_ predominates over pain or evil; a continued experience of _pleasures_ and joys.” “_Pleasure_ is the accompaniment of the moderate and suitable activity of some organ or faculty of the mind.”

~plentiful~. Compare BOUNTIFUL.

~plenty~: The colloquialism by which _plenty_, which is a noun, is treated as an adjective or adverb is altogether inadmissible. In such cases _plentiful_ and _plentifully_ should be used. “We have _plenty of_ money.” “Cash is _plentiful_.” “We are _plentifully_ supplied”--not “We have _plenty_ enough cash.”

~plunk~: A vulgarism for a silver dollar.

~polite~, ~civil~, ~polished~: _Civil_, from the Latin _civilis_, from _civis_, a citizen, denotes that which is becoming to a citizen. _Polite_ is the Latin _politus_, participle of _polio_, polish. Civility is therefore negative, the mere absence of rudeness, whereas politeness is the positive evidence of good breeding. A _polite_ man is naturally so, but a _polished_ man is one who has, by art, acquired the smoothness which comes of having had the rough edges rubbed off. _Polite_ denotes a quality; _polished_ denotes a state.

~politics~ is a singular word of plural form. “His hobby _is politics_”--not “_Politics are_ his hobby.”

~polity~ and ~policy~ both come from the Latin _politica_, (Gr. _politeia_, polity, _polis_, city); but they must not be confounded. “_Polity_ is the permanent system of government of a state, a church, or a society; _policy_ is the method of management with reference to the attainment of certain ends. The national _polity_ of the United States is republican; each administration has a _policy_ of its own.”

~pore~: Compare POUR.

~possessive case, the~: A very unnecessary difficulty appears to be felt, even by educated men, in the use of the apostrophe in the possessive case. It is placed immediately after the noun under consideration. If, for instance, you are talking of a lady and refer to her glove, you say “the _lady’s_ glove”--then the apostrophe should immediately follow the noun in question; viz., _lady_, in the singular. If, however, there are two ladies or more, you say “the _ladies’_ gloves,” and the apostrophe should follow _ladies_; that is, _lady_, in the plural. In like manner, you write “the _boy’s_ father,” or “the _boys’_ father,” when referring to one or to two or more boys, respectively. “The _man’s_ hat,” “the _men’s_ hats,” with the apostrophe following the noun _man_ or _men_, will note the possessive in the singular and plural for the noun _man_.

The nearest approach to a difficulty is where a plural ends with an “s” or a sibilant sound; but here the rule is still the same--place the apostrophe after the noun referred to, that is, the plural, though for the sake of smoothness and euphony, omit the succeeding (or rather non-succeeding) “s.” Thus, “the _boss’s_ desk” in the singular, “the _bosses’_ desks,” in the plural. When the singular ends in “s,” the possessive “s” is usually retained, excepting where the noun has three or more syllables and the word following commences with this letter. Thus, Charles’s uncle; Burns’s poems; Burns’s stanza; Damocles’ sword. The possessive “s” is also generally omitted before “sake”--as, “For conscience’ _sake_” (conscience having the “s” sound); “for Jesus’ _sake_.”

In speaking of a firm, where the partners constitute but one object of contemplation, the apostrophe is used but once--after the complete object of contemplation, that is, after the title or firm name; as, “Jones and Robinson’s store.” If Jones and Robinson, instead of being in partnership had independent businesses you would speak of “Jones’s and Robinson’s stores”--this being no exception to, but merely an exemplification of, the rule that the apostrophe immediately follows the noun or name (or firm name) under consideration.

Occasionally, the possessive appears in double form, the substantive being preceded by _of_ and followed by the apostrophe with _s_. This occurs, however, only in idiomatic phrases, as, “He was a friend of my father’s,” which is equivalent to “He was one of my father’s friends” or “He was a friend of (the number of) my father’s (friends),” when it may be supposed that the person spoken of possesses more than one object of the kind referred to, this double form of possessive is properly used. “It was a fault of my friend to be loquacious” would signify the one particular weakness of my friend: “It was a fault of my friend’s to be loquacious,” that is, “of my friend’s faults,” would signify that this was one of various faults.

The apostrophe is not used with the possessive personal pronouns. Write “yours (_not_ your’s) truly.” Compare ’S.

~post~: A colloquialism, generally undesirable, for _inform_. It is derived from the bookkeeping signification of the term, where it means that the ledger is supplied, by transfer, with the information contained in the books of original entry.

~pour~, ~pore~: Exercise care in using these homophones. The first is of Celtic origin and means “to cause to flow, as a liquid, in a continuous stream”; whereas _pore_ is from the Middle English _poren_, and means “to gaze or ponder with close and continued application, as in reading or studying.”

~power~: In the sense of “a great number or quantity,” this word is an undesirable colloquialism that has gained ground especially in rural districts. One may say of a man “He was a _power_ among the people,” but not “A _power_ of people heard him.”

~practical~: Do not confound with ~practicable~. The former means “that can be put into practise or rendered applicable for use; as, _practical_ knowledge”; whereas the latter is perhaps best expressed by the synonym “feasible.” _Practical_ has a general application, being governed by actual use and experience; as, _practical_ statesmanship or wisdom: _practicable_, on the contrary, is particular, and signifies the suitability of the particular thing named to the desired end. Thus one may know a _practical_ man but not a _practicable_ one.

~pray~, ~prey~: Exercise care in using these homophones. Etymologically they are distinct. _Pray_ is from Old French _praier_, to ask; while _prey_ is from Old French _preier_, booty, probably from the Latin _prœhendo_, to seize. Note the difference in spelling.

~precedent~, ~president~: Although almost homophones these terms have widely different meanings. A _precedent_ is something that has occurred before in time and is considered as an established rule or an authorized example; a _president_ is the head of a nation, society, or the like.

~predicate~, ~predict~: Though these words are both derived from the same Latin source, the one must not be used for the other. To _predict_ is to foretell, whereas to _predicate_ is to proclaim as inherent. In United States usage _predicate_, with _on_ or _upon_, is sometimes treated as synonymous with _establish_; as, “On what do you _predicate_ the assertion?”

~prefer~: The act or thing preferred should never be followed by _than_. _Prefer_ is properly followed by the preposition _to_, or occasionally by _above_ or _before_. Thus do not say “I _prefer_ to talk than to dance,” but “I _prefer_ talking _to_ dancing.”

~preferable~: If the preference is stated in terms, as “This is _preferable_ to that,” the word is followed by the preposition _to_--never by _than_. The preference may, however, be implied; as, “This is _preferable_.”

~prejudice~: Sometimes erroneously used for “prepossess” or “predispose.” A _prepossession_ is always favorable, a _prejudice_ always unfavorable, unless the contrary is expressly stated. _Predispose_ means “to dispose or incline beforehand.” Therefore, we should not say that a person is _prejudiced_ in any one’s favor but that he is _prepossessed_ or _predisposed_.