Wednesday June 08, 2005

Two word-related questions and a rant.

First question. Can anyone think of an English word, other than 'choir', that begins with a 'ch' that is pronounced with a 'kw' sound? I can't.

Second question--a research librarian favorite. What English words, other than 'angry' and 'hungry', end in '-gry'? Hint: There are several, though none are common.

The rant. Improper use of the word 'circa', which means 'about, used especially in approximate dates.' There's a house in my town--a huge McMansion--whose owner erected a granite post near the street that says 'circa 1999' on it. That's simple ignorance on the part of the homeowner, but consider the following bookstore sign in the TF Green airport in Providence, RI.

That's downright embarrassing.