How is the word ‘schism’ pronounced?
(T Sharmila, Cuttack)
Some people pronounce the ‘sch’ like the ‘sk’ in ‘skit’, ‘skip’ and ‘skin’; others pronounce it like the ‘s’ in ‘sit’, ‘sip’ and ‘sin’. The ‘i’ sounds like the ‘i’ in ‘bit’, ‘hit’ and ‘pit’, and the final ‘sm’ is like the ‘sm’ in ‘prism’, ‘feminism’ and ‘hypnotism’. The word can be pronounced ‘SKIZ-em’ or ‘SIZ-em’; in either case, the stress is on the first syllable. ‘Schism’ comes from the French ‘scisme’ meaning ‘split’, and the word is mostly used nowadays in formal contexts to refer to a disagreement among a group of people — this rift usually results in a single group breaking up into two. The disagreement may be about anything — ideas, beliefs, etc. The word was first used to refer to the split that occurred within the church in 1054.
*The strike failed because there was a schism within the Union.
*If the controversy continues, it is likely to create a schism within the party.
What is the difference between ‘forefathers’ and ‘ancestors’?
(TN Sama Rao, Thiruninravur)
The two words tend to be used synonymously nowadays; both can be used to refer to someone who lived in the distant past and to whom you are related. In other words, you are their descendent. For example, your great-great-great grandfather can be called your ancestor or forefather. Some people argue that the word ‘forefather’ should be limited to men, while ‘ancestors’ can be used to refer any blood relative — both male and female. The two words can be used in other contexts as well.
*Raju ploughed the same field that his ancestors/forefathers had.
*According to scholars, Chuck Berry was the forefather of Rock and Roll.
*This article claims that the harpsichord is the ancestor of the piano.
Why do we say ‘blanket ban’ on something?
(D Jagannadha Rao, Hyderabad)
When you say there is a ‘blanket ban’ on something, it means there is a complete or total ban on it. The ban ‘covers’ or includes everything — there are no exceptions.
*There should be a blanket ban on the sale of tobacco products.
*My friend believes there should be a blanket ban on IPL.
Just like a blanket is used to cover everything, the ban too should cover or include everything. The word ‘blanket’, by the way, comes from the French ‘blanc’ meaning ‘white’; originally, all blankets were made of white wool. Some people believe it was an Englishman, Thomas Blanket, who gave rise to this word. He lived in the mid-14th century and manufactured blankets!
What is the meaning of ‘He gave her a chaste kiss’?
(M Vimala, Bangalore)
The word ‘chaste’ has several different meanings. In this context, it means it was a harmless kiss, one that was not sexual in nature.
*The chaste embrace was followed by a chaste kiss.
*The two friends exchanged a chaste kiss.
In India, the word ‘chaste’ is frequently used to talk about someone’s language; the manner in which a person speaks. For example, it is common to hear people in our country say that someone speaks ‘very chaste Tamil’ to mean that he speaks ‘pure Tamil’ or very good Tamil. Native speakers do not use the word to talk about someone’s language. ‘Chaste Tamil/Hindi/Telugu’ is an Indianism.
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“Shake your family tree and watch the nuts fall out.”
— Unknown
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