A Desk-Book of Errors in English Including Notes on Colloquialisms and Slang to be Avoided in Conversation — Themes and Context

ses motion away from; _fetch_ expresses motion from a given place to another, as for the purpose of obtaining some article, and return to the given place with the article required. _Go and fetch_ is pleonastic.

~Britannia~: This word is often misspelled “Brittannia.” It is from Britain and should be spelled with only one “t” but two “n’s.”

~broach~, ~brooch~: Discriminate carefully between these terms. Although both are derived from the same source etymologically (Latin, _broca_, a spike) they are now widely different in meaning. A _broach_ may mean “a boring into an opening, a spit, or a spire.” It is also the name of the boring bits or drills used in carpentering or engineering. It means also “to approach any one in conversation” on some particular subject. A _brooch_ is “a breastpin or an ornamental pin or clasp used as for display or to fasten some part of a dress.”

~broke~: A word often misused for “broken.” Do not say “I’m _broke_” say rather “broken”--~To go broke~: A colloquial phrase common in commercial circles for “to become bankrupt.” These terms are avoided by persons who cultivate a refined diction.

~brothers~: Distinguished from ~brethren~. The one applies to those who are _brothers_ by birth, whereas the other indicates fraternal relationship in some order or society.

~building~, ~being built~: There are advocates of either form. Fitzedward Hall has shown conclusively that “is being built” has been used by the best writers for a century or more, and now has universal literary sanction. Richard Whately, George P. Marsh, Richard Grant White, and other critics have strenuously objected to this use. In literature there is support enough for their views: Milton wrote “while the Temple of the Lord _was building_.” Dr. Johnson, in writing to Boswell, of his _Lives of the Poets_ said “My ‘Lives’ _are reprinting_;” Macaulay followed the same style and wrote “Chelsea Hospital _was building_”; “while innocent blood _was_ shedding.” _Being_ has a special modern use with passive forms of verbs to express progressive action. For example, is, are, or _was being_ built, expresses what is expressed also by is, are, or _was building_, _a-building_, or _in building_. Both forms are permissible, but “is _being built_” is more frequently heard and, perhaps, preferable.

~building~, ~construction~: Alfred Ayres (_Some Ill-used Words_, p. 44) quotes the following example of the misuse of these words: “These two advisory bodies have recommended the _building_ of battleships. It is understood that Mr. Long is opposed to the _construction_ [constructing] of any armorclads.” Mr. Ayres points out that if _building_ is correct--and it is--then _construction_ is incorrect and the correct word to use is _constructing_.

~bum~: A vulgar term for “an idle, dissolute fellow; a loafer,”--~on the bum~. A vulgar phrase used to denote that that to which it is applied is of poor quality, badly done, or has been subjected to careless treatment.

~busted~: A slang term for financially broken, not used by persons accustomed to a refined diction. Compare BROKE.

~but~, ~however~: Discriminate carefully between these words. Do not say “He is suffering--not, _however_, acutely;” say rather, “He is suffering, _but_ not acutely.”

~but that~: Implies a negative, but when it follows another negative phrase (as “I _don’t know but that_ I did it”) it suggests the positive or, as in the example given above, the likelihood or possibility that some act has been done. Locutions of this kind should be avoided as inelegant, say rather “I may have done it.”

~but what~: This is equivalent to _but that which_ and is an incorrect expression for _but that_. “I am not sure _but what_ I shall be there” should be written _but that_, and indicates the possibility or even probability of being there; but note that if the _but_ be omitted from the latter (and correct) usage, the indication is the reverse. Compare BUT THAT.

~but yet~: Should not be used when either _but_ or _yet_ is sufficient by itself; as, “Wealth may seek us; _but_ wisdom must be sought”; not _but yet_. When, however, Archbishop Trench says, “_But yet_ these pains hand us over to true pleasures” (_Study of Words_, p. 232), each conjunction has its distinct adversative sense. This appears still more clearly in “Ye are but common men, _but_ [on the contrary] _yet_ [notwithstanding that fact] ye think with minds not common.”--COLERIDGE _Wallenstein_ 2, 3.

~bute~: A vulgar corruption of “beauty” used by illiterates; as, “She’s a _bute_.” Correctly “She is a beauty” or “a beautiful woman.”

~butt in, to~: A vulgar although expressive phrase meaning “to interfere officiously or inquisitively with,” not used by persons accustomed to refined diction.