Chapter C

~cabbage~ for “steal” or “crib,” as from a pony, is schoolboy slang.

~cake, takes the~: A slang equivalent for “wins the prize.” Used usually to designate that the person, act, or statement to which it is applied exceeds in impudence anything within the knowledge of the persons present.

~calculate~: The verb signifies to ascertain by mathematical or scientific computation; and the word _calculated_ therefore strictly means adapted by calculation. It is then illogical to speak of “measures _calculated_ to do harm” when the measures were in fact designated for a specific purpose--that of doing good.

~calligraphy~ and ~cacography~ respectively mean good and bad writing. It is therefore pleonastic to speak of excellent _calligraphy_ or wretched _cacography_; and to describe the former as wretched would simply be to say that at the same time it was both excellent and the reverse.

~cameo~: The plural of the word is not formed by adding “-es” as in “potato” or “grotto” but by the adding of “-s”; as, _cameos_.

~can~: Misused for _may_. _Can_ always refers to some form of possibility. An armed guard may say “You _can_ not pass,” since he has physical power to prevent; hence the question “_Can_ I pass the guard?” is perfectly natural. But where simple permission is required _may_ should be used. “_May_ I (not _can_ I) use your ruler?”

~can but~, ~can not but~: Discriminate carefully between these phrases. Both these sentences are grammatically correct, though they have not exactly the same meaning: “I _can not but_ believe your proposition” means “I _can not help_ believing,” etc.; while “I _can but_ believe your proposition” means “I _can only_ believe,” etc., a much less strong assertion.

~canine~ should not be used for “dog.”

~cannon~, a tubular gun, comes from Greek _kanna_, reed, and must be distinguished from ~canon~, a rule or law, which comes from the Greek _kanon_, rule.

~capacity~. Compare ABILITY.

~caption~ is not to be used in the sense of title, save as to a legal document “showing the time, place, circumstances and authority--under which it was made or executed.” “The affectation of fine big-sounding words which have a flavor of classical learning has had few more laughable or absurd manifestations than the use of _caption_ (which means seizure, act of taking) in the sense ... of heading.”--R. G. WHITE, _Words and Their Uses_, ch. 5, p. 98.

~carnival~, which comes from the Latin _caro_, flesh, + _levo_, take away, and alludes in Catholic countries to the pre-Lenten “farewell to meat,” which concludes with Mardi Gras, has been stigmatized by Dr. William Mathews as an “outlandish term” which “has not a shadow of justification” in the popular sense of a gay festivity or revel. Inasmuch as the pre-Lenten farewell is marked by festival, frolic and fun, the stigmatization is undeserved, and such expressions as “the crows are holding high _carnival_ on the hill” are not merely permissible but good.

~carry~: Although formerly used with the meaning of “conduct,” “guide,” or “escort” the term in this sense is now archaic. Do not say “Mr. A. _carried_ Miss B. to the party;” say rather, “... _escorted_ Miss B....” Compare also BRING.

~case~: Not to be applied to persons. The expression sometimes used of an eccentric or vicious person, “He is a _case_” or “a hard _case_,” is an objectionable colloquialism.

~casket~, which is from the French _casque_, helmet, is frequently now used in the United States as a euphemism for ~coffin~, which is from the Greek _kophinos_, basket. Such innovations are not to be recommended. They savor of pedantry, or, worse still, of pride. If _coffin_ is not good enough for the worthy deceased or for his purse-proud relatives, why rest content with the simple _casket_, when by a mere figure of speech ~sarcophagus~ may save the reputation of both the living and the dead?

~casuality~ is an obsolete form of ~casualty~, and should be treated as such.

~cataclasm~ and ~cataclysm~ are often interchanged. The Greek _kata_, down, is combined in the one case with _klaō_, break, and in the other with _klyzo_, wash. Where sudden overwhelming change is intended, as by revolution, _cataclasm_ is to be preferred to _cataclysm_, which, though sometimes used to signify such a change, is strictly applied to an overwhelming flood of water, and, specifically, to the Noachian deluge.

~catch on~, ~to~: A colloquialism having two distinct meanings, the first bordering on the vulgar, is used by persons with little sense of refinement in speech for “to understand”; the second, used instead of “to suit the popular fancy” or “to please the popular taste.”

~ceiling~ which in derivation is allied with the French _ciel_, Lat. _cœlum_, heaven, is to be distinguished from its homonym ~sealing~, the act of attesting with a seal, which springs etymologically from the Latin _sigillum_, dim. of _signum_, mark.

~celery~, ~salary~: Exercise care in spelling these words. _Celery_ is a biennial herb; _salary_, a periodical allowance made as compensation for services.

~cereal~, a word derived from _Ceres_, the goddess of corn. It has nothing in common, save the sound, with _serial_, which fitly describes a literary publication in parts issued successively (Lat. _series_, _sere_ join). Exercise care in spelling these words.

~cession~, from Latin of _cedo_, yield, meaning surrender, must not be confounded with _session_, from Latin _sedeo_, sit, as used in the expression a _session_ of court.

~character~, ~reputation~: These are not synonymous terms. _Character_ is what one is; _reputation_ is that which one is thought to be. _Character_ includes both natural and acquired traits; _reputation_ designates only those traits acquired as by contact with one’s fellow men. Holland in _Gold Foil_ (p. 219) makes the following distinction: “_Character_ lives in a man; _reputation_ outside of him.”

~chargeable~: Do not spell this word _chargable_. Remember its components are _charge_ + _able_ and the “e” is retained before the second “a.”

~cherubim~ and ~seraphim~: Do not use these plurals as singulars. There is no such thing as _a cherubim_.

~chew the rag~: A low phrase sometimes used as an equivalent for “wrangle;” as, “stop chewing the rag,” meaning, “cease wrangling.” The use of expressions of this kind can not be too severely condemned.

~childlike~, ~childish~: There is a distinction between these words. The one is used in a good sense, the other is spoken in derogation.

~chin music~: A low phrase sometimes used as an equivalent for “talk,” but not uttered by persons of refinement.

~chuck-full~ is the American colloquial form of _choke-_ or _chock-full_, but this form finds no literary favor, and indeed the expression is far from elegant, both in sense and sound.

~circus~: This word should not be used as a synonym of “frolic;” as such it is a vulgar perversion.

~cite~, from the French _citer_ (Latin _cito_, frequentative of _cieo_, call), means “mention by name, summon” and has no relationship with _site_, similarly pronounced, which means “local position,” and is derived from Lat. _situa_, pp. of _sino_, put.

~citizen~: Not to be used for _person_, except when civic relations are referred to. “All _citizens_ are entitled to the protection of the law,” but not “Ten _citizens_ were walking up the street,” unless reference is had to some civic relation, as when opposed to soldiers, policemen, residents of the country, or the like.

~claim~: “He _claimed_ that the discovery was his,” “I _claim_ that this is true,” etc. Incorrect if the meaning is simply _assert_ or _maintain_; but correct if the meaning is _assert_ with readiness to _maintain_, and confidence that the thing _asserted_ can be _maintained_, with the added idea that it makes for the advantage or side of him who _asserts_ and _maintains_ it.

~clever~: In American colloquial usage _clever_ means “_good-natured and obliging_”; in English use it means “skilful.” The American synonym for the English meaning of “clever” is _smart_, and the English synonym for the American meaning of “clever” is _jolly_.

~climax~, ~acme~: Discriminate carefully between these words. A _climax_ is a successive increase in force of language for the purpose of intensifying it. The _acme_ is the highest point or greatest intensity attained.

~climb down~: As _to climb_ signifies ascension, this colloquialism of the United States is apparently unwarranted. If, however, a descent be laborious, as though by hands and feet, _crawl_ should be used as a substitute for _climb_.

~coeval~, ~contemporary~: Discriminate carefully between these terms. _Coeval_ is said of things existing at the same time; _contemporary_ is applied to persons living in the same period.

~coffin~. Compare CASKET.

~commence~. Compare BEGIN.

~commodious~. Compare CONVENIENT.

~common~. Compare MUTUAL.

~commonly~: Do not confound this word with _generally_, _frequently_, _usually_. That is _commonly_ done which is common to all; that is _generally_ done, which is done by the larger number; that is _frequently_ done which is done by a large number or by a single person on many occasions; that is _usually_ done which is customarily done whether by many or one.

~community~ is not a common noun personified, and therefore should always be preceded by the article. Congress and Parliament, State and Church have been personified, and may accordingly be used definitely in the singular number without the article; but to permit such treatment to army, navy, public, or _community_ would be a literary solecism.

~compare to~ or ~with~: We compare one thing _with_ another to note points of agreement or difference. We _compare_ one thing _to_ another which we believe it resembles.

“As a writer of English he [Addison] is not to be _compared_ except with great peril to his reputation, _to_ at least a score of men.”--RICHARD GRANT WHITE, _Words and their Uses_, ch. 4, p. 79.

He should have said _with_. If Addison is to be _compared to_ the (presumably) able writers referred to, it can not be with “peril to his reputation.” If _comparing_ him _with_ these men is perilous to his reputation, then for his sake the comparison should not be made. The sentence is an attempt to combine two ideas incompatible in a single construction, _viz._, “If he is _compared with_ these men, it will be to his disadvantage,” and “He is not to be _compared to_ these men.”--STANDARD DICTIONARY.

~complected~ for ~complexioned~ is dialectical in the United States, and not sanctioned in general usage.

~complement~, ~compliment~: Discriminate carefully between these words. _Complement_ means “full quantity or number; that which is needed to complete or fill up some quantity or thing; or a complete or symmetrical whole.” A _compliment_ is “a delicate flattery, an expression of admiration or an act of civility or courtesy.”

~complete~: A speech may be _finished_ but far from _complete_. To _finish_ is to bring to an end, but to _complete_ is to bring to a state in which there is nothing more to do. You _finish_ your dinner, but _complete_ your toilet.

~completion~. Compare FINAL.

~comprehend~. Compare APPREHEND.

~conciseness~. Compare BREVITY.

~conclude~ should not be used for “close.” To _conclude_ is a mental process; to _close_ a physical one.

~condign~ means “well-merited”; therefore, the common phrase “_condign_ punishment” is correct, but the phrase “Deserving (or not deserving) _condign_ punishment,” is absurd because tautological.

~conduct~: Although the dictionaries give both a transitive and intransitive place to this verb in the signification of “behave,” it should properly be used only reflexively, as a transitive. Say, “How did the débutante _conduct_ herself?” rather than “How did the débutante _conduct_?”

~confess~. Compare OWN.

~congratulate~. Compare FELICITATE.

~congregation~, ~corps~: Exercise care in the use of these words. A _congregation_ is an assemblage of persons who meet as for religious worship or instruction; a _corps_ is a body of men associated in some specific work, as a marine _corps_; a _corps_ of engineers. A _congregation_ embraces both sexes, _corps_ is restricted to the male sex.

~con man~: A vulgar term for a swindler’s decoy or “bunco-steerer”; a _confidence man_: not used in polite society.

~conscious~, which relates to knowledge within one’s self, should not be used for _aware_, which implies being on the lookout. The one refers only to the past, or a present allied to the past, the other to the future. We are _conscious_ of suffering, but _aware_ of imminent danger. One is _conscious_ of the inner workings of his own mind, but _aware_ of that which exists without him.

~constantly~ does not always mean “continually.” A man eats _constantly_ but he would soon cease to be a man if he were to eat _continuously_. In this sense _constantly_ means “regularly” and _continuously_ means “without ceasing.” _Perpetually_, which means “incessantly,” must also, and for the same reason, be distinguished from _constantly_. Compare PERPETUALLY.

~construct~: Although this verb formerly had the meaning of _construe_, both words having the same etymology, being derived from the Latin _con_, together, + _strua_, pile up, it must no longer be used as synonymous therewith. You _construe_ a sentence but _construct_ a theory.

~construction~. Compare BUILDING.

~construe~. Compare CONSTRUCT.

~consul~, ~counsel~, ~council~: Discriminate carefully between these words. A _consul_ is an officer appointed to reside in a foreign port or city as the representative of his country’s commercial interests; a _counsel_ is a lawyer engaged to give advice or act as advocate in court; a _council_ is a body of persons elected or appointed to assist in the administration of government or to legislate; a _councilor_ is a member of a council; a _counselor_ is one who gives counsel; or, who is an adviser or a lawyer.

~contagious~, ~contiguous~: Discriminate carefully between these words. A disease may be _contagious_, that is catching; fear is _contagious_ when it spreads from one to another. _Contiguous_ is used chiefly of neighboring regions or places and means “adjacent or situated so as to touch.”

~contemplate~: May be used in the sense of _plan_, _intend_, but unless the matter in question be somewhat doubtful and involves further thoughtful consideration, it is better to say _intend_ or _propose_.

~contemporary~. Compare COEVAL.

~contemptible~, ~contemptibly~, ~contemptuous~, ~contemptuously~: Discriminate carefully between these words. A _contemptible_ person is one deserving of contempt as for meanness or vileness; _contemptibly_ means “in a contemptible manner” or “in a manner deserving of contempt.” A _contemptuous_ person is “a disdainful person.” One who speaks _contemptuously_ of another speaks of him with scorn or disdain.

~continual~, ~continuous~: _Continual_ implies the repeated renewal of an act; _continuous_ means its unceasing continuity. The following sentence will serve to illustrate the correct use of these words; “_Continual_ interruptions impede _continuous_ work.”

~continually~. Compare CONSTANTLY.

~controller~, derived from the French _contre rôle_ and indicating a person whose office it is to keep a counter roll or check in the accounts of others, should not properly be spelt _comptroller_, which word originates in a false derivation from _compter_, to count. Instead of the word being thus derived, the spelling has been accommodated by some to the imagined derivation.

~convenient~, ~commodious~: These terms are not always interchangeable. A room may be “convenient” in that it is suitable for a required purpose and “commodious” because it affords ample accommodation for the purpose for which it is applied. A book may be _convenient_ in size or arrangement but not _commodious_.

~correspond~. When the word means “answer or conform to” it is followed by the preposition _to_; when it means “hold written communication” the preposition is _with_.

~cotemporary~ which implies “equally temporary” should not be used for “contemporary” which means existing at the same time.

~cough up~: Used as an equivalent for “pay up,” is vulgar and, therefore, not used in polite society.

~council~, ~councilor~, ~counsel~, ~etc.~ Compare CONSUL.

~couple~: Does not mean merely two, but two united, as it were by links. Thus a man and wife illustrate a _couple_; but to talk of “a couple of weeks” is an absurdity for were two weeks coupled so as to become one, the product (one week multiplied by two) would no longer be a week but a fortnight.

~couple~, ~two~: Discriminate carefully between these terms. _Couple_ as an indefinite amount is a Teutonism common in America. Do not say “He has a _couple_ of dollars in the bank”; say rather, “He has some money in the bank.” Compare COUPLE.

~courage~. Compare BRAVERY.

~courier~, ~currier~: Discriminate carefully between these terms. A _courier_ is a special messenger sent express with letters or despatches; an attendant on a party of travelers. A _currier_ is a man who dresses leather or combs a horse.

~covey~: As this word means “a brood or hatch of birds,” especially quails or partridges, it should not be applied to persons or things as is done by Thackeray in “The Virginians,” ch. 27.

~creditable~ is sometimes confounded with ~credible~, but the one word means that which redounds to one’s credit, whereas the other signifies that which is worthy of belief.

~crime~, ~sin~, ~vice~: Exercise care in the use of these words. _Crime_ is an abstractly, flagrant violation of law or morality in general; _sin_, disagreement in word, thought, deed, or desire, whether by omission or commission, with the divine law; _vice_ is the habitual deviation from moral rectitude.

~crow~, a colloquialism for _exult_.

~crush~ implies to force out of shape, therefore, it is pleonastic to say “_crush out_,” of a mutiny.

~cultivation~, ~culture~: Discriminate carefully between these words. While one of the various senses of _cultivation_ is culture, _culture_ should be used only of the development of the individual.

~cunning~, meaning “artful,” and by extension “innocently artful,” and hence “bright,” “amusing,” or “characterized by quaint and playful moods,” is often improperly introduced to imply “dainty,” “choice,” especially if applied to anything diminutive. Such usage is not permissible. A kitten may properly be said to be _cunning_, but not a brooch, although (in archaic usage) that may exhibit the _cunning_ or skill of the artificer.

~curious~, in such expressions as “It is a _curious_ fact” has been hypercritically censured. The propriety of the usage is unquestionable. “_Curious_ first ... denoted a state of mind, interest or diligence in inquiry or prosecution; then it was predicated of things which exhibit evident tokens of care (_cura_), dextrous application, ingenuity; and, as such things are out of the common and are apt to arrest attention, it naturally acquired the sense of ‘novel,’ ‘unusual,’ or more generally ‘novel and noticeable.’”--FITZEDWARD HALL, _False Philology_, p. 25.

~cuss~: A vulgar corruption of “curse,” designating a worthless or disagreeable person, and as such it should be avoided.--~To cuss and swear~, that is, “to use blasphemous language” is a phrase that also should be avoided by persons having pretensions to refinement.

~custom~, ~habit~: It is the _custom_ of a person to do a thing until it becomes a _habit_. From a voluntary act of the will it has grown into an involuntary practise. It will thus be seen that whereas a _custom_ is followed, a _habit_ is acquired. Moreover, as involuntary acts are not predicated of bodies of people, _habits_ are of necessity compared to individuals, “The _custom_ of social nipping tends to individual _habits_ of dissipation.”

~customs~. Compare EXCISE.

~cut it out~, with the sense “eliminate,” is of recent introduction and may be characterized as expressive though inelegant.

~cute~, which is an abbreviation of _acute_ and means “shrewd, smart, clever, or bright” is a colloquialism, and as such is not favored in certain literary circles.