I heard that many Singaporeans misuse the word ‘revert’.
What does it actually mean, and how should we say ‘please reply to this email’ correctly in writing?
Jenna
Hi Jenna!
This is a very, very popular issue, Jenna!
If you look in the dictionary, you will find that “revert” means to go back to a previous state. If you use word processing software often, you will sometimes encounter a message that goes something like “Revert to previous version?” when you try to save a document.
Another example is if your friend quit smoking but went back to smoking again. Then you could say your friend reverted to being a smoker.
And you've actually already suggested a great way to say “please reply to this email” in writing. It's that phrase exactly! Another way is to just say “please get back to me”.
What is the meaning of the phrase ‘keep calm and carry on’?
Eric
Hi Eric!
Well, we're not history experts but we seem to recall that this was a phrase used as propaganda in the UK during wartime. The government wanted its citizens to not panic and to carry on living their lives as usual so that's exactly what the phrase means!
What are they trying to say?
Do they mean that "good looks do not make a good leader”?
Alif
Hey Alif!
Your guess is absolutely correct!
That headline is just another way to say it.
I would like to know what the difference between ‘explanation’ and ‘interpretation’ is when both come in a sentence.
Thanks!
Miao
Hi Miao!
Well, you only need to look in a dictionary to clear your doubts on this. So that's what we did!
Now, these two words can mean the same thing if you want a statement that clarifies something and makes it understandable. You could ask for both an explanation or an interpretation of a poem and you would be asking for the same thing.
But if you want someone's personal conception of something, you should ask for their interpretation. You could be asking someone to interpret someone else's behaviour for example. You cannot rightly call their conception an explanation because it hasn't been proven to be right, but it is their personal conception of things.
We hope that clears things up, Miao!
What is the meaning of word mayhem?
Hazel
Hi there Hazel!
Well, if you look in a dictionary, you will find that “mayhem” is a noun that refers to random or deliberate violence or damage, or a state of rowdy disorder!
What is quench?
Fataniah
Hey there Fataniah!
Well, all you have to do is to look in a dictionary and you will find out all the meanings of the verb “quench”!
We commonly use the “quench” in the context of consumption by saying something along the lines of “quench your thirst”. This just means to satisfy your thirst.
For the many other different meanings of “quench”, you can look in a dictionary, Fataniah. There are too many for us to list here!
Hi,
I was wondering if you could tell me what ‘islandwide’ means?
Thank you in advance.
Have a great day,
Ploy
Hi Ploy!
Well, “islandwide” means all over the island. Just like how “worldwide” means all over the world!
Hi,
What does 'care of ' and 'care off ' mean?
Thanks
Angel
Hi Angel!
The phrase is “care of” and not “care off”. There's no such thing as “care off”!
And “care of” is a phrase that you usually see on envelopes that refers to an intermediary who is responsible for transferring the piece of mail.
‘Kacang Foul’ anyone!?
I came across a stall that displayed these at Pasir Ris West Plaza. :)
alamakow
Hey there Alamakow!
This really intrigues us!
We had no idea what “kacang foul” might be so we didn’t know if this even needed correcting.
But after a quick search we realised that there is such a dish and it’s spelt exactly like that! So there’s no error there, Alamakow.
We sure would like to taste that dish, even though it has “foul” in its name.
Does ‘emigrating’ also mean ‘leaving’?
Lynn
Hi Lynn!
“Emigrating” does have the general sense of “leaving” but no, they don't mean the same thing exactly, Lynn!
“Emigrating” is a very specific act that involves leaving but you can't equate the two.
