Comments on: French Words for Writers

By: Pen Names

Pen Names — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:53:40 +0000

[...] different name is using a “stage name”. The phrase “nom de plume”, as explained by Maeve in French Words for Writers was adapted from the French “nom de guerre” – a fictional “war [...]

By: Dipankar Ghosh

Dipankar Ghosh — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:18:33 +0000

Excellent, it must have more option for users to look into.

By: humper

humper — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:11:47 +0000

I LOVE THAT WEBSITE BUT ITS ALITTLE HUMPERO!

By: Maeve

Maeve — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:26:41 +0000

Tom,
Whether or not people are bothered by “Please RSVP” probably depends upon who receives the invitation. Anyone aware of what the letters stand for will see the “Please” as redundant. Those who think of RSVP as merely “let is know whether you are coming” won’t be bothered by the English “please” attached. “Please RSVP” will probably prevail.

I’d guess that “dove” has been around longer than “dived.” At least “dove” is closer to the Old English past for dyfan (to dive) than “dived.” I grew up saying “dove” and still do.

H.W. Fowler (A Dictionary of Modern English Usage, 1963 ed.) has some very harsh words for people who pronounce the “t” in often. I think we’re going to see a lot more words change pronunciation to match the letters in them.

By: Maeve

Maeve — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:46:20 +0000

Zack,
Food was hors de mon thème (outside my theme), which was terms to do with the actual writing we do. But I’m with you–writers need their food — and since some of us eat while writing, why not include hors d’oeuvres?!