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Having always used the expression vicious circle, I was confused when I heard vicious cycle mentioned on an audio programme the other day. After some research I have found that both are used, although vicious circle is preferred. Here are a few notes: Cambridge Dictionaries online define vicious circle as “a continuing unpleasant situation, created when … Continue reading
After reading the following quote in my franklinplanner.com daily planning pages, I had to look up the word exigencies (which is the plural of exigency): “If difficulties arise, we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times” ~ George Washington Wiktionary defines exigencies as “the demands or requirements of a situation”. … Continue reading
I would always have said that the main difference between the spellings centre and center is that the former is British English and the latter is American English; however, I have learnt today that there are some variations to this rule. Difference Between.net explains that countries such as Canada and India “have adopted the British system of spelling” and therefore spell it … Continue reading
“Is this a case of regional variation taking over?” said a work colleague when reading the following paragraph in the Metro newspaper: “A child can now be at greater risk sat in their bedroom on their computer than outside the school gates.” (Source: London Metro, 31 Jan 2012. Article: More at risk online than outside) … Continue reading
Image by Intiaz Rahim via Flickr I don’t know why I hesitate before writing the word occasionally (there – I did it again!). The correct spelling has just not stuck in all these years; if I could just remember that it’s got two ‘c’s, I would know that one ‘s’ followed. On research, this isn’t one that’s been blogged about much, … Continue reading
According to Wikipedia, mnemonics are “any learning technique that aids memory” and I think they are wonderful things if you can remember them! A school friend (back in the ’80s) gave me a tip on how to spell the word necessary and I can honestly say that I have recited the following phrase in my head almost every time I have … Continue reading
Dos-à-dos is French for ‘back-to-back’. Although I seem to remember this as a dance step from my younger days, I wasn’t entirely sure of the spelling – I probably would have said that it was spelled do-si-do or something similar. According to Wikipedia, dosado (a corrupted spelling of dos-à-dos) is a basic dance move, that can also be known as do-sa-do, do-si-do or … Continue reading
A writer friend and I were discussing how we squeeze writing into our busy lives. She has recently learnt to do 20 minute short bursts of writing and although she was dubious of this method at first, it is working really well for her. I told her that I’m more of a 30 minute writer as this (quite by … Continue reading
If someone asked me to think of a long word, I’d probably say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious; however, I’ve only heard it used in a song in the Mary Poppins film so I don’t know if that counts. I think it’s about time I learnt another one. Time for some research… Wikipedia say that the longest word in most English … Continue reading
Even if you love writing, there may be days when you are feeling a bit under the weather and cannot face logging on to your computer. When you find yourself feeling like this and you are up against a writing deadline, wouldn’t it be lovely if you had something prepared that you could just tidy up and … Continue reading
My Writing Notebook 