terminology - Whats the definition of unpatient? - English Language . . . 'Unpatient' is apparently an obsolete form of 'impatient', but given the medical field and reference to neologisms, I'm guessing that isn't the meaning you are after I think this is a jargon question rather than english usage The website you link seeks to separate historic notions of paternalism and suffering associated with 'patient' from an updated model of an informed and empowered
Focussed or focused? Rules for doubling the last consonant when . . . The rules are much more complicated, and I don't think it's a good idea to post them all here Re: doubling of the final consonant in an unstressed syllable Pam Peters (in "The Cambridge Guide to English Usage") argues that when the final syllable is identical with a monosyllabic word, the final consonant is also doubled in British English: eavesdropped, kidnapped, formatted, worshipped
Is nr. a correct abbreviation for the word number? Normally we use 'nr' as an abbreviation of 'near', and 'no' to abbreviate 'number' (from Latin numero) Moreover, unlike AmE, abbreviations do not usually end with a stop if they comprise the first and last letter of the word So in BrE we have and Mr and Dr, in AmE they use Mr and Dr But because the abbreviation 'no' is easily confused with the word 'no', we usually capitalise it with a
What is the etymology of flabbergasted? - English Language Usage . . . Just an idea: I wonder if "flabbergast" has anything to do with OE frófregást (Old High German fluobargeist), a word meaning literally "consoler" or "comforter" and coined to translate the Greco-Latin paracletus which sometimes refers to the Holy Spirit in Vulgate translations of the New Testament It is easy to imagine the possibly playful coinage of a participial form "flabbergasted" that
Origin of the proverb There is a lid for every pot There is a lid for every pot is a saying that essentially means quot;There is someone for everyone quot;, most commonly used in the context of romantic relationships Variations include quot;Ever
“If I was to” vs. “If I were to” - English Language Usage . . . In British English, both of those are acceptable, and as I understand it, equivalent In American English, however, were is required in hypothetical sentences like these, rather than was For detailed answers to your question, please see “If I was” or “If I were” Which is more common, and which is correct? (But only one answer there, not high rated, mentions BE vs AE )
Vendor vs. vender in Standard American English The spelling vendor is the standard spelling The New Yorker, as part of its bizarre house style, uses the spelling vender No one else does, besides those trying to emulate The New Yorker’s style Of the 45 examples in COCA, only 17 were actual uses of the spelling vender outside of The New Yorker (compared with over 2000 examples of vendor, a ratio of over 100 to 1) Two were proper names
Check or check in on - English Language Usage Stack Exchange Dear Greybeard, one of the meanings "to check in" is the same as "to check", even though the words are separate their meaning might be the same (example from M-W above - check in on work before bed) Or am I wrong here? Is it possible to figure out when to use "to check" and when "to check in (on sth)"? For instance: "After I'd finished the exam, I checked my answers for mistakes" or "After I