WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!

Origins of words explored

As far as I can tell, a "lurch" is something you get left in by an inconsiderate acquaintance. But what exactly is it?

"Lurch," by itself, means a decisive defeat, especially in cribbage. I can say with certainty that I have never talked about cribbage. Yet I've used the phrase "in a lurch."

Being left in a lurch means you're in a situation without the proper tools to deal with it, so you're vulnerable. Some examples are being up a creek without a paddle, having the flu without a box of tissues or realizing that your spouse has just finished the last of the mint chocolate chip ice cream.

There are other words besides "lurch" that we use often though their meaning remains elusive.

I have been known to take umbrage at things, though I won't go into details. Umbrage-taking happens when someone does something so rude that you're offended.

What the heck is "umbrage" anyhow? It comes from the Latin root for "shade," as in the dark area caused by tree branches. But I couldn't find a connection between shade and being rude.

Are you ever out of cahoots? As far as I can tell, you can be only "in cahoots" with someone. It means you're conspiring with a person to play a trick or do something a bit devious.

The origin of the word "cahoot" isn't certain. One theory is that it comes from the French word for cabin. That doesn't make much sense to me, unless it's a cabin where the Artful Dodger and his nimble-fingered pupils live. Another theory is that is comes from the French word for "cohort." That sounds better.

"Snuff" is often something up to which things aren't. We may say a pitcher's arm or an English essay or a cake isn't up to snuff, meaning it's not as good as it should be.

But "snuff" on its own means the charred part of a candlestick or tobacco you chew. Get this: "Snuff" also is an obsolete term for "umbrage." (I love when things connect.) One source says "up to snuff" is related to the stimulant effects of tobacco.

And have you ever spoken "on the cuff"? Many people speak off the cuff, or without preparing remarks. Apparently people used to write notes on their cuffs before a presentation.

In a scene from the Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times, a woman scribbles the lyrics to a song on Chaplin's cuff so he can remember the lines.

But the phrase seems to have changed meanings. If what you will say is written on your cuff, it's not without rehearsing. "Off the cuff" is used when a person speaks without having rehearsed his lines.

DAVID SEDARIS

A couple of years back, I saw the always witty writer David Sedaris reading from his books.

After his hilarious reading, I stood in the requisite line so he'd sign my favorite book of his, Naked. After I had softened him up with a bag of cookies, I asked him whether he has any grammar pet peeves.

As he was trying to think, he said he doesn't call out people to their faces if they use incorrect grammar.

Still, he has a pet peeve. He had been talking on stage for two hours and signing books for at least an hour, but he came up with one for me.

He said he doesn't like when a flight attendant says something such as this on landing: "Enjoy X City, if this is your final destination. Or enjoy wherever your destination takes you."

"Your destination doesn't take you anywhere," Sedaris said, making me like him even more.

WEEKLY REVIEW

A lot vs. allot

"A lot," as in "many," is always two words.

I have a lot to say on the subject of bourbon cake.

"Allot," as in to assign or distribute, is one.

Our parents would allot us one dessert item each after dinner.

English has no word spelled "alot." An easy way to remember that: You wouldn't use "alittle" as one word, would you?

Same for alot.

Sources: Oxford Dictionaries, Cambridge Dictionaries Online, Mental Floss, Merriam-Webster, Online Etymology Dictionary, Grammarphobia.com, Thesaurus.com, The Phrase Finder, Language Log

bkwordmonger@gmail.com

ActiveStyle on 09/03/2018

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