CORRECTIONS & EXPLANATIONS - November 18, 2007

Here are the corrections and explanations for last week's entries.

Monday

PALATE/PALETTE/PALLET

“Palate” is the roof of the mouth or one’s sense of taste.

“Palette” is the board on which paints are mixed or a range of colours.

“Pallet” is a bed or a flat platform for carrying loads.


Tuesday

Are there errors below? (Hint: look for two.)

"The city and trustees should review their respective positions and consider whether a compromise can be reached that would allow both of them to save a little face while saving the historic theatre. Because if this dispute goes to court while the theatre remains closed, everyone loses no matter which side wins."

In this sentence, “whether” means “regardless of whether” and must be followed by “or not” because a comparison is presented.
The clause, “Because if...side wins,” is an incomplete thought and should be reworded.

"The city and trustees should review their respective positions and consider whether or not a compromise can be reached that would allow both of them to save a little face while saving the historic theatre. If this dispute goes to court while the theatre remains closed, everyone loses no matter which side wins."


MYSTIC/MYSTIQUE

“Mystic” (n.) refers to a prophet, a religious leader or a believer and is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable.

“Mystique" (n.) refers to a personal magnetism, a heightened aura about a person or a charisma and is pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable.


Wednesday

ORIENT/ORIENTATE

“Orient”, as a noun, means east and may be capitalized.
“Orient”, as a verb, means to give or find direction.

“Orientation” is the noun form of orient.
“Orientation”, as a verb is outdated, pompous and should not be used.


Thursday

"[We will be affected by winds] coming off of Lake Michigan and off of Lake Huron."

“Off of” is never acceptable. Both words are prepositions which are words that begin phrases such as “off the wall” or “of the brain”. Phrases are not begun with two prepositions together.

"[We will be affected by winds] coming off Lake Michigan and off Lake Huron."


Friday

PRONUNCIATION

The indefinite article “a” is pronounced as in the word “act”. “A”, as in “hayseed”, is incorrect or, at best, regional.
“An” is used in front of words beginning with vowels.

The definite article “the” is not the pronoun “thee”. The closest word I can use to indicate pronunciation is the vowel in “up”. Any other pronunciation suggestions will be considered.


THE WEEKLY WORDS

“Panegyric" (n.) means paean or eulogy or song of praise.

“Elucidation" (n.) is a clarifying interpretation or elimination of ambiguity.
“Elucidate” is the verb form.

“Nexus" (n.) is a tie or link or means of connection.

“Recumbent" (adj.) means lying in a comfortable position or reclining.

“Asperity" (n.) means grimness, harshness or rigourous.