CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - February 14, 2009

Here are the corrections for last week's entries.

Monday

AM/PM

“AM” means Ante Meridiem or before noon in Latin.

“PM” stands for Post Meridiem or after noon in Latin.

In formal writing it is preferable to capitalize them, though the lower-case “am” and “pm” are now accepted.
It is now rare to see periods between the letters.

Remember that 12 AM is midnight and 12 PM is noon.


Tuesday

STAID/STAYED

“Staid” is an adjective denoting a person who is stodgy, sedate, serious or dull. A staid person is a stick-in-the-mud.

“Stayed” is the past participle of the verb “stay” and means to remain behind.


Wednesday

SPACIOUS/SPECIOUS

“Spacious” is an adjective meaning roomy or large and open.

“Specious” is an adjective meaning pleasing to the eye but deceptive, superficially pleasing or appearing to be good or right but without real merit.


Thursday

BENEFACTOR/BENEFICIARY

A “benefactor” is one who gives gifts.

A “beneficiary” is one who receives a gift or gifts.


Friday

METHODOLOGY/METHOD

“Methodology” (n.) is about the methods of doing something; it is not the methods themselves.

“Method” is a noun meaning the process, means or technique of doing something.


THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE DISMISSING IT

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”
Voltaire, French author (1694 - 1778), composed this idea.


THE WEEK’S WORDS

“Empathy” (n.) means entering into the feeling of a person or thing, appreciative perception or understanding, sympathy or compassion.

“Satiate” (v.) means to satisfy, to fill, to quench or to slake.

“Demagogue” (n.) refers to a leader who uses the passions or prejudices of the populace for his own ends or an unprincipled orator or agitator.

“Pungent” (adj.) means strong, sharp, bitter or overpowering.

“Autonomous” (adj.) means independent, self-directed, self-ruling or self-sufficient.


NOTE

Due to the provincial holiday, there will be no posting on Monday, February 16, 2009.