Words of the day- Less and Fewer
Doesn’t it sound awkward to anyone else when someone uses the wrong word- less instead of fewer and vice versa? I was never an english major but maybe because I read so much the wrong usage sticks out, like the wrong spelling.
Anyhow, wanting to educate myself I did some investigation and found that there is a proper way to use these words:
LESS- use this when you are referring to a collection of things you cannot count individually.
FEWER- use this when you are referring to a collection of things that you can count individually.
LESS money, FEWER dollars.
LESS alcohol, FEWER drinks.
It isn’t always easy, but something to think about if you want to sound like you are intelligent!
Note Well Your Dawns and Sunsets
In researching a thrift find from last night ($1.97 silver cocktail jigger, has gone for $31 on eBay, not bad!) I came across the quote below from Crosby Gaige, author of 1941′s Cocktail Guide and Ladies’ Companion. I think it’s a keeper. I also noticed that the graphic from the front of his book, as seen in the photo on the Crosby Gaige homepage , is also the one I took a photo of at PDT in NYC in January- small world!
NOTE WELL YOUR DAWNS AND YOUR SUNSETS;
REMEMBER THE COLOR AND TINTS OF LIFE AS YOU LEAD IT;
DON’T FORGET THE SMELL OF SMOKE,
WHETHER FROM A FIRE IN THE OPEN
OR FROM ONE THAT CRACKLES ON THE HEARTH;
REMEMBER
HOW GOOD FOOD CAN BE WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY;
HOW SOFT AND COMFORTABLE A BED WHEN YOU ARE TIRED,
AND HOW EXCITING WHEN YOU HAVE PLEASANT COMPANY;
NEVER FORGET A FRIEND NOR THE CLASP OF HIS HAND;
GIVE ALWAYS AS MUCH AS YOU RECEIVE AND PERHAPS AN EXTRA PORTION;
REMEMBER THAT THE TRUEST PHILOSOPHY LIES IN AN UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF OUGHT AND MUST.
DON’T LET THE SMALL THREADS OF THE DAY’S WORK SLIP AS THEY RUN THROUGH YOUR FINGERS, FOR FINALLY,
IF YOU HAVE KEPT THEM REASONABLY INTACT AND UNTANGLED THEY MAKE THE WARP AND WOOF OF THE TAPESTRY OF LIVING.
Word of the day-Festoon
The little used word festoon ( to adorn with) has been in my head lately since I saw it used in the Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas issue, 1956. Now when I try to look for it I can’t locate it but you know I would not, could not make that up.
Instead I bring you this:
Other words that have caught my ear today:
Sobriquet (thanks Little Edie!)
Denizen (thanks Dyslexic Heart!)
