The Language Perfectionist: The Great Unbeknownst

Another article posted by Port Dickson Toastmasters Club.

By Don Hauptman

Consider the following three sentences, all found via online search:

· "Unbeknownst to me, they had been planning my birthday all weekend."

· "Unbeknownst to most Americans, oil fields dot northern Afghanistan near its border with Turkmenistan."

· "You blamed us, when all of it was unbeknownst to us, and completely unintentional."

The word unbeknownst has an archaic or literary ring, but it's used with surprising frequency. Google turns up eight million examples.

Bryan Garner, in Garner's Modern American Usage, notes some disagreement among grammar gurus about the appropriateness of the word, and concludes by favoring unbeknown.

But even that option strikes me as pretentious. I would opt for the simpler unknown. That would make the first example above: "Unknown to me, they had been planning my birthday all weekend." Or, as an alternative: "Without my knowledge...."

PD Toastmasters Club's Word of the Day: Immutable

Immutable (ih-MYOO-tuh-bul) - from the Latin for "unchangeable" - means ageless; not subject to variation in form or quality over time.

Example (as used by William James): "The most immutable barrier in nature is between one man's thoughts and another's."

PD Toastmasters Club's Word of the Day: Pervicacious

Pervicacious (pur-vih-KAY-shus) - from the Latin for "to maintain one's opinion" - means stubborn or headstrong.

Example (as used by Samuel Richardson in Clarissa): "... one of the most pervicacious young creatures that ever was heard of!"

Port Dickson Toastmasters Club Meeting on 22nd March 2011

Port Dickson Toastmasters Club had its meeting on 22nd march 2011.

TM Indra took over from the President who was absent.

AG Robert Ram inducted TM Shaharin and TM Kamarul Muluk into the PD TMC.

TM Lee Kah Tor played the role of Table topic master.

TM Shaharin was the first to be called to speak during tabletopics.

Then it was TM Kamarul Muluk's turn.

TM G T Singam was not spared.

Past President Kala was called next.

AG Robert Ram was asked to speak on "To err is human, to forgive is devine." Note: Look at how TM Stephen Francis was looking at Robert Ram.

The table role card says it all. TM Vallie was the TOE.

A view of the members enjoying their dinner. It was Loh Shee Fun or nasi goreng kg or mamak mee for choice.

After dinner, TM Rosa spoke first on "How to motivate yourself"?

TM Shaharin was next, speaking on "3 lessons to be learnt from fishing."

TM Amy was next and she was dressed so stylishly.

Lady Kat spoke on "The Unwanted Intruder" and this was easily one of her best speeches so far.

TM Robert Tan evaluated TM Rosa Phua.

TM Kay Ku who was Table topics evaluator earlier, evaluated TM Shaharin.

Former member Stephen Francis evaluated TM AMY Siew. Later in the meeting, he handed up his application to rejoin the club. Welcome back Stephen.

TM Tan Lai Hock evaluated Lady Kat.

TM Chandran was Language Evaluator.

No prize for guessing what role the AG was playing.

TM Kamarul was smiling cos he got to play the role he was suited for. He gave a humorous report.

TM Yeoh was time keeper and was humorous when reporting.

TM Kay Ku was all ears and was the tabletopics evaluator.

The results were out. The best tabletopics speaker is AG Robert Ram.

The best speaker award goes to Tm Shaharin.

Best evaluator was........ ahem......

TM Indra closing the meeting.

Kay Ku's guest, Danny, stood up to give his comment. We hope you you can attend more of our meetings.

Although attendance was not so good, it was a fun and wonderful meeting that night.

See you again at our coming meeting in April. Till then, Adios Amigoes.

Today's Word of the Day: Repartee

Repartee (rep-er-TAY) - from the French for "retort" - is a quick, witty reply or a conversation full of such replies.

Example (as used by Charles Dickens): "Silence is the unbearable repartee."

The Language Perfectionist: A Caucus of Confusables

By Don Hauptman

It's time once again to set the record straight on pairs of words that are commonly confused. Here are examples from print and online sources:

• "The number had been cut before the premier of the film."

A gala event is a premiere. The adjective meaning first is premier.

• "Mr. Heiberger said his new company would provide brokers with a network of consultants - from a concierge service for brokers and their clients to legal services and social-networking advise."

The noun, intended here, is advice; the verb is advise.

• "This particular corner, where Canal Street meets West Street and the Hudson River, is one of the more honorific and important intersections in New York City."

An honorific is a title of respect or a salutation, such as Mister or Doctor. The word presumably wanted in this context (though perhaps with some exaggeration) is honored.

• "The 19th-century philosopher John Stuart Mill... barely survived a 'tiger father' who enforced a regimen of ruthless discipline and learning that would make [author Amy] Chua blanche."

The verb blanch means to turn pale; Blanche is a woman's name.

Earl Nightingale's The Strangest Secret (MP3)

The Strangest Secret has sold over a million copies and is the only gold record ever achieved for the spoken word. It's message is simple, yet powerful. You become what you think about. and it became the basis for the Nightingale-Conant Corporation. Many thousands of people have attributed this recording with turning their lives around and helping them make their fortunes in the world. Turn up your speakers and enjoy listening to Earl Nightingale's great words, inspiration and thought.

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