Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2004

There appears to be a larval stage of the turban- a fabric-covered
lump that some young South Asian males sport. What would this be
called?
The origin of the word tulip is interesting, but perhaps it's just a

When and in what circumstances do you (and should you) correct another
person's mistakes in English grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage?
When and in what circumstances do you (should you) choose not to?

What does 'badabing badaboom' mean?  Is it associated with anything?

What does the subject mean and what language is it in?
"Musi ques
I sews on bews
I pues a twos on que zat

while reading an essay about Tibetan Art, i happened to find this
sentence, but it looks somewhat improper to me.  is this okay for us
to make this kind of sentence?
"It is the works of art that these two princesses brought with them to

Is the word "slats"  below the ones in Venetian blind? If not, what does
it mean "the blaze of light falling in slats"?
I woke up because I sensed a strange light coming into the trailer. It
was only the afternoon slant of the southern summer sun. It didn't look

Does the word " half" below only refer to the size? Or is the inferior
quality  of the refrigerator implied?
The refrigerator was a little half job with a tiny yellowish light like
a single bulb on a Christmas tree.

I remember hearing an expression with the words 'stick' and 'shovel'
in it, but I've never heard it again and don't know what it really
means. I'd also like to know if it's a common expression.
Thanks!!

I understand that "until" and "before" usually denote different
concepts. In the following examples, however, they seem to be
interchangable. Are they any different in meaning or formality?
How long (will it be) before we get to New York?

This is just silly:
=====
The FBI is warning police nationwide to be alert for people
carrying almanacs, cautioning that the popular reference books

Pls. help clarify direct and indirect objects.  According to grammar book it
define as following: 1. A direct objects is a noun, pronoun, or group of
words acting as a noun that receives the action of a transitive verb. 2. An
indirect objects is a noun, pronoun, or group of words ...

From a recent press release:
"Appleton, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of carbonless, thermal,
security, inkjet and performance packaging products, announced today that it
has acquired BemroseBooth, headquartered in Derby, (pronounced dar-bee)

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is on at the moment, and we are being
plied with all sorts of boating metaphors. (Sorry for what I'm about
to do Rey).
One term that I always thought I'd understood was 'coming home with a