Is the word ‘topper’ used only by Indians? (K Nandini, Mysore)
No, it isn’t. The word ‘topper’ is listed in all standard dictionaries, but the meaning that we Indians have given the word is not included in many of them. In our country, a ‘topper’ is someone who gets the highest marks in a test/exam; a person who comes first in a competition is also referred to as a ‘topper’. Dictionaries that include these meanings of ‘topper’ maintain that it is ‘Indian’.
Chandrika says that she’s been a topper all her life.
In the half-yearly exam, Bharat was the topper.
For a native speaker of English, however, ‘topper’ has a completely different meaning. It is sometimes used to refer to a person who is well liked by those around him. ‘Topper’ is also used to refer to a machine that ‘cuts off the top of weeds’.
What is the meaning and origin of ‘circle the wagon’? (R Jayashree, Tiruchi)
It is mostly used in informal contexts in American English.
The expression ‘circle the wagons’ — not ‘wagon’ — has several different meanings; but its primary meaning seems to be ‘to unite in defence’. When you ‘circle the wagons’, you prepare yourself from an imminent attack; you and those around you unite in an attempt to defend what is or what you consider to be yours.
When the media attacked the Minister, party members started circling the wagons.
Raj wants to open a bar very close to a school. I think the parents need to work together to circle the wagons.
In the past, when families had to travel long distances, they usually did so in wagons. As there was safety in numbers, several families usually came together before they ventured into hostile territory. They ensured that the people and the wagons they were travelling in stayed close together.
Whenever Native Americans attacked the travellers, all the wagons were brought together to create a circle; settlers believed that this circular formation gave them a better chance of protecting themselves against their attackers. According to one story, 32 soldiers succeeded in fighting off a thousand Native Americans using this formation.
How is the word ‘cacography’ pronounced? (RV Vijith, Chennai)
The ‘a’ in the first and third syllables sounds like the ‘a’ in ‘china’, and the ‘cog’ in the second rhymes with ‘fog’, ‘dog’ and ‘jog’. The word is pronounced ‘ke-KOG-re-fi’ with the stress on the second syllable.
It comes from the Greek ‘cacos’ meaning ‘bad’ or ‘ill’ and ‘graphy’ meaning ‘writing’.
The word literally means bad writing. The use of this word is considered old fashioned; it is used to refer to someone’s bad handwriting or bad spelling.
The teacher said that I lost marks because of my cacography.
Is it wrong to say ‘enclosed herewith’? (S Revathi, Coimbatore)
No, it is not. The expression is usually found in letters written by job applicants — not just in our country, but all over the English-speaking world. Careful users of the language, however, object to the use of ‘herewith’. They contend ‘enclosed’ is enough.
I am enclosing (herewith) a cheque for ₹1,000 along with the documents.
We are (herewith) enclosing a copy of the contract.
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You may not be able to read a doctor’s handwriting and prescription, but you will notice his bills are neatly typewritten. — Earl Wilson
The author teaches at the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. upendrankye@gmail.com
