Grammar Stammer - Grammar Stammer Blog

Malapropisms - mixed up words

12/12/2025

We’ve all heard someone say something that sounds almost right, but not quite. That’s a malapropism, when a word is mistakenly used in place of another that sounds similar, often with unintentionally funny results.

Think of someone saying they’re “the pineapple of politeness” instead of “the pinnacle of politeness.” The meaning slips just enough to make you grin.

Even everyday expressions get tangled. One that is often heard is “per say” instead of per se (Latin for “by itself” or “intrinsically”). The mix-up is so common that you’ll spot it all over social media and maybe in a few emails, too.

Here are a few other favourites:

Malapropisms remind us that language isn’t just about correctness, it’s about sound, rhythm, and how our ears make sense of what we hear. They show how English is wonderfully human, a mix of logic, creativity, and the occasional linguistic oops.

That vs. Which

11/3/2025

I love my cats. The one that is wearing the red scarf is named Melanie. Her sister is named Alice.

Have you ever been told to use that instead of which, but no one could quite explain why? The answer isn’t about sounding formal or following an old grammar “rule.” It’s about meaning, specifically, whether the clause identifies what you’re talking about, or simply adds a bit more information.

In grammar terms, we call these identifying and non-identifying clauses. Once you get the hang of telling them apart, you’ll never look at commas the same way again.

Identifying clause: this gives you information that defines exactly which person or thing you’re talking about. Without it, the reader might ask “Which one?”
Example:
The cars that were parked illegally were towed.
Only the illegally-parked cars were towed.

Non-identifying clause: this adds extra detail about a noun you’ve already identified. The sentence still makes sense if the clause is removed.
Example:
The cars, which were parked illegally, were towed.
All the cars were parked illegally and all were towed.

When you’re on the fence, remember:
That ➤ no commas
Which ➤ commas

In the Nick of Time

10/23/2025

We often say “in the nick of time” when something happens just before it’s too late. A train caught at the last moment, a deadline met with seconds to spare, or a timely rescue all fit the expression perfectly. But where does this phrase come from?

The word “nick” has been part of English since the 14th century. It originally meant a small notch or mark cut into something, such as tally marks used to keep score or track time. To “make a nick” was to record an exact moment or point. Over time, the phrase “in the nick” began to mean “at the precise moment.”

By the 16th century, the full expression “in the nick of time” appeared in English writing to emphasize accuracy and timeliness.

From there, the phrase evolved to describe something that happens just in time to prevent a problem or disaster.

So the next time you make it to an appointment just as the door closes or finish a project moments before the deadline, take comfort in knowing you’ve done it in the nick of time — a phrase that has been celebrating perfect timing for more than four centuries.

References:

Gossip

9/10/2025

The word gossip hasn’t always carried the sting it does today. Its roots go back to Old English, where god-sib meant “godparent”. Over time, the term expanded to describe companions and friends, particularly women who supported each other during childbirth or in daily life. Far from being negative, it was about kinship, community, and trust.

But by the 16th and 17th centuries, the meaning began to shift. “Gossip” was increasingly used to describe women talking together and then twisted further to mean idle chatter or rumours. The transformation was no accident. In patriarchal societies, women’s voices — especially when they gathered — were often treated with suspicion. What started as a word for mutual support became a way to belittle women’s speech, reducing it to trivial talk.

Today, gossip is still loaded. While everyone gossips, the label is disproportionately applied to women, reinforcing stereotypes that their conversations are less serious or valuable. Recognizing this history helps us see that language isn’t neutral. It reflects power, and it can be used to silence.

References:
Gossip - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
the curious history of the word ‘gossip’ – word histories
How did "the Gossip" Become a Woman? | Psychology Today

Honorary

8/11/2025

Why “Honorary” Doesn’t Have a U — Even in Canadian English

In Canadian English, we usually follow British spelling rules, meaning we keep the “u” in words like colour, favour, and honour. But there are some quirky exceptions, and honorary is one of them.

Why?

It’s partly about tradition and consistency. In English, when we add certain suffixes (like -ary), we often drop the “u” from honour. So while we write honour for the noun, the adjective becomes honorary — no “u.”

It’s a little odd at first glance, but it’s not alone. Words like honorific follow the same pattern, as do some others that shift in spelling when a suffix is added.

Language is full of these small curveballs and they’re part of what makes it fun.

Question for you:
Do you know any other Canadian English words that break our usual “u” rule?

Vein vs. Vain

7/21/2025

This kitty is so vain, he thinks he's a lion!

English is full of tricky homophones — words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. One of the most commonly mixed-up sets? Vein and vain. Let’s break them down.

Vein refers to the tubes that carry blood through your body. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a streak or thread of something, like a “vein of humour” or “a vein of gold” in rock.
Examples:

The nurse found a vein for the blood test.
His story had a dark vein of sarcasm.

Vain means having excessive pride in your appearance or achievements. It can also mean "futile" or "without success."
Examples:

She’s too vain to admit she made a mistake.
All their efforts were in vain.

Quick tip to remember:
Vein contains "e" like in vessel, which is what veins are — blood vessels.
Vain has an "a", just like appearance and arrogance.

Bare Vs. Bear

6/17/2025

This kitty is baring her teeth, and looks as cuddly as a teddy bear

The English language is full of homophones — words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. One common pair that often trips people up is “bare” and “bear.” Let’s break them down!

"Bare" can be an adjective and means uncovered, empty, or plain. It can also be used as a verb meaning to reveal or expose.

Examples:

The room was bare, with no furniture or decorations.
Please bare your arm so I can give you the vaccine.
He spoke with bare honesty, holding nothing back.

"Bear" can be a noun, referring to the large animal 🐻 — but it’s also a verb meaning to carry, endure, or give birth to.

Examples:

We saw a grizzly bear while hiking in the Rockies.
I can’t bear this heat any longer!
She will bear witness to the events in court.
The bridge must bear the weight of the truck.

Quick Tip to Remember:

If you’re talking about revealing something or going without, it’s bare.
If it’s about carrying something (emotionally or physically) or involves a fuzzy animal, it’s bear.

Wandering vs. Wondering

5/22/2025

Wandering the living room like a lion. Wondering why I’m not fed like one.

Wandering and wondering are often mistaken for one another — perhaps because they sound so similar, or because both involve a kind of openness to the unknown. But while they may share a poetic resonance, the two are delightfully different.

To wander is to move without a fixed course — physically, mentally, or even emotionally. It's meandering through a new neighbourhoods, taking the scenic route, or letting your thoughts drift during a long walk. Wandering has an aimlessness to it.

To wonder, on the other hand, is to be captivated by curiosity. It’s asking questions, entertaining possibilities, and seeking to understand. You wonder what’s behind that old door. You wonder why the stars exist. You wonder if things could be different. Wondering sparks imagination and fuels innovation.

Wandering and wondering might seem like distractions, but they serve a purpose. One helps you see what’s out there; the other helps you make sense of it. In work and in life, both can lead to insights you wouldn’t get by staying on a fixed track.

Advocacy Vs. Activism

4/4/2025

When it comes to creating change, both advocacy and activism are powerful tools. While they’re often used interchangeably, they’re not quite the same – and understanding the distinction can help individuals and organizations be more intentional in their efforts for equity and inclusion.

Advocacy involves using established channels – like policy, education, or dialogue – to influence decision-makers and advance change.
Examples: writing letters, meeting with elected officials, policy briefs, government consultations, speaking engagements.

Activism is about taking public action – like protests, art, or community-led efforts – when change is urgent, or systems aren’t working. It’s bold, visible, and meant to shake things up, shine a light on injustice, and bring people together to push for change.
Examples: marches, petitions, rallies, social media campaigns.

In brief: Advocacy works within systems to influence change. Activism challenges systems through public action to demand justice and raise awareness.

Rhyme or Reason

3/18/2025

The phrase "rhyme or reason" is often used to describe something that makes sense or follows a logical pattern. While it might seem like a modern expression, its roots actually trace back much further. The phrase first appeared in the 15th century as "rhyme or reason", signifying the idea of logic or structure in a situation.

By the time Shakespeare used the phrase in The Comedy of Errors (1590), it had evolved into "rhyme nor reason", indicating a lack of logic or sense. Over time, this expression became widely recognized in English literature and everyday speech.

More often than not, the phrase appears in its negative form – “there is no rhyme or reason” – to describe situations that seem completely illogical or chaotic, where no clear structure or explanation can be found.

Today, when people refer to "rhyme or reason", they’re often talking about finding order or logic, even when it’s hard to see at first.

Next time you hear "rhyme or reason", you'll know it's about making sense of the world around us, even when it seems confusing.

Reference:
Rhyme Nor Reason - Meaning & Origin Of The Phrase

Historical vs. Historic

2/6/2025

Words matter – especially when talking about the past. People often mix up historic and historical, but they’re not quite the same.

🔹 Historical refers to anything related to history. A historical document? Just an old record. A historical event? Something that happened in the past—important or not.

🔹 Historic, on the other hand, means something truly significant. A historic event changes the course of history. Think groundbreaking moments, not just things that happened.

For example, an election is historical because all elections belong to history. But an election that threatens democracy itself? That’s historic – just not in a good way.

Schrodinger’s cat: a historical thought experiment that had historic impacts on quantum mechanics and our understanding of superposition.

Recrudescence - a word worth knowing

1/3/2025

Language is filled with fascinating words that capture nuanced experiences, and "recrudescence" is one of them. Though it may not appear in everyday conversation, it conveys a concept that's surprisingly relatable.

At its core, recrudescence refers to the revival or reappearance of something undesirable, often after a period of dormancy. Its roots lie in the Latin word recrudescere, meaning "to become raw again,". In other words, it’s a return of something terrible after a time of reprieve.

Recognizing recrudescence can be empowering. When we anticipate the possibility of setbacks, we can prepare to confront them with resilience. Whether it's revisiting unresolved conflicts or dealing with the resurgence of an old challenge, understanding this concept encourages us to face it with clarity and grace.

So next time you’re describing something unpleasant making a comeback, consider using recrudescence. It’s a beautifully specific word for life’s inevitable moments of renewal—even when those moments aren’t what we hoped for.

Disorganized vs. Unorganized

12/23/2024

Both words are adjectives, but there is a subtle difference in how they describe messiness.

Disorganized is used to describe something that used to be orderly, but not anymore.
Example: My office space tends to get a little disorganized throughout the day, but I always remember to clean everything up by the end of my shift.

Unorganized is used to describe something that has never been orderly in the first place.
Example: The event felt completely unorganized because there was no clear schedule or direction for participants.

Christmas with cats always ends up being a little disorganized

Equality Vs. Equity

11/1/2024

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources of opportunities. It assumes that everyone has the same starting point and needs.

Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities need to reach an equal outcome. This means that some people or groups might require additional resources or support. Equity addresses imbalance. Nothing is taken away from those who can already achieve their goals. Others just require a little bit more.

Source:
Equity: how we strive for equal opportunities

Past vs. Passed

10/25/2024

Past can be used as a noun, an adjective, a preposition, and an adverb.
Example as a noun:
- Star Wars takes place a long, long, time ago, in the distant past.
Example as an adjective:
- I miss working with some people and sometimes think of past times.
Example as a preposition:
- The library is just past the memorial park.
Example as an adverb:
- I saw the father running past our house, chasing after his young child.

Passed is the past tense of the verb pass.
Example: I thought I had failed, but I received the result today and I passed the test!