How is the word ‘dotard’ pronounced? (Usha, Secunderabad)
When Kim Jong-Un took a jab at Donald Trump by calling him a ‘dotard’, people made a beeline for the dictionary. For several hours, it was the most referred to word in most online dictionaries. The first syllable ‘dot’ rhymes with ‘boat’, ‘coat’ and ‘goat’, and the final ‘ar’ is like the ‘a’ in ‘china’. The word is pronounced ‘DOAT-ed’ with the stress on the first syllable. It comes from the German ‘doten’ meaning ‘to be foolish’. The word is used nowadays to mean an old person who has become feeble — both physically and mentally.
It’s time to replace the dotards that have been running the company.
What is the meaning and orgin of ‘go hammer and tongs’? (RN Revathi, Chennai)
This is an expression that has been around for several centuries, and it is mostly used to suggest that someone is doing something with a lot energy or enthusiasm. For example, if you go after someone hammer and tongs, you are arguing with him violently. The expression suggests that the two participants are going at it with considerable force or energy.
At the meeting, the coach and the captain went at it hammer and tongs.
Whenever Sunitha is asked to do something, she goes at it hammer and tongs.
When a blacksmith wishes to beat a piece of hot metal into shape, he uses the hammer and tongs to do it. He uses the tongs to remove the metal from the fire and hold it in place while he be beats it with the hammer with great force.
When there is no electricity, we use the word ‘blackout’. Is there a word to describe a situation when the voltage is low? (B Deepesh, Chennai)
Low voltage is a common problem in our country — especially during the summer months. When this happens, the tube lights keep flickering, and some of the other bulbs burn rather dimly. The Americans have a term for this dip in voltage — they call it ‘brownout’.
Arun never uses any of his electrical appliances during a brownout.
We always experience brownouts in the early morning.
What is the difference between ‘bribe’ and ‘graft’? (Ajay Singh, New Delhi)
There is a tendency nowadays to use the two words interchangeably; both refer to the corrupt practices adopted by people to gain advantages of different kinds. Of the two, ‘bribe’ is the more general term. Anyone can be bribed to do something for you — politicians, businessmen, auto rickshaw drivers and even children. The piece of chocolate that parents dangle before a child in order to get him/her to do something can be considered a ‘bribe’.
The word ‘graft’, on the other hand, is mostly used in the context of politics; it is a form of political corruption. When someone who is working for the government takes money in order to do a job for you, he is taking graft. He is using his power and authority in the government to obtain money. Public officials take ‘graft’; others take a bribe. Even native speakers of English, however, do not always maintain this distinction between the two words.
Kamana was found guilty and sent to prison on charges of graft.
We paid the doorman a bribe to get into the building.
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Bribes are the glue that’s kept teenagers and parents connected for generations.
Gayle Forman
The author teaches at the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. upendrankye@gmail.com
