About 22 results
Open links in new tab
  1. Which is more proper "rarest" or "most rare"?

    Nov 17, 2020 · In the following usage, which is the correct form for the superlative of the adjective "rare"? "the rarest on Earth" or "the most rare on Earth"?

  2. The origin of 'water breaking' during pregnancy

    Feb 16, 2025 · Indeed the earliest-occurring term, amnios, the OED assigns to its frequency band 2, its second to rarest classification. That means it remains extremely rare. The OED estimates that it …

  3. Were clothes called "loud" because they actually made a noise?

    Oct 4, 2020 · In the mid 19th century, taffeta was ‘loud’ The taffeta and silk used in dresses in the 1830s could have inspired the expression “loud clothes”. This is only a conjecture of mine but it is based on …

  4. expressions - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Jul 10, 2023 · She’s found: an antique piece of serving ware–I think it was a pie slicer or cheese knife that was the rarest part of a set, rare pyrex dishes, an original Holly Hobbie doll, a jar of buttons that …

  5. What are the percentages of the parts of speech in English?

    Jan 21, 2012 · What are the percentages of the parts of speech in English? For instance, what percent of English is comprised of nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.? I have done an extensive web search using …

  6. Synonym for "slice and dice" - English Language & Usage Stack …

    Feb 13, 2019 · Can anyone provide me with a more professional way of saying "slice and dice"? For example, "This new interactive report allows you to slice and dice information regarding your clients"

  7. Etymology for "petrichor" - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Jan 22, 2015 · It's common knowledge that the (Greek) gods drank nectar and ate ambrosia, but I've never heard that their ichor had a noteworthy odor—or that the gods exuded it on any but the rarest …

  8. word usage - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Jun 14, 2016 · Lexico says that 'misconstrue' is rare. Collins shows a frequency-of-usage graph indicating the same, and puts it in the 'rarest' of its categories.

  9. "So that it be" vs "so that it is" - English Language & Usage Stack ...

    Jul 15, 2016 · The subjunctive is rare in British English, but perhaps less so in American English. In either variety, I want you to give this money to him so that he have enough for lunch seems a most …

  10. american english - Pronunciation of 'aunt' in the US - English Language ...

    Jan 3, 2013 · There are five different pronunciations of the word aunt in North America, yet the only one with a diphthong is the rarest of the 5. It’s the one that sounds just like ain’t, like when Andy Griffith …