Discussion Groups / English Usage / May 2007

Is there anything wrong with the following sentence?
"It was an enjoyable job and I believe if I had more knowledge about
each and every industry I would have been able to translate their
research reports more efficiently."

Can someone tell me what is the different its and it's or life's and
lifes'
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First of all, thanks for a very exhaustive discussion on "can't find the
right word".
Now something easy. The other day I heard an expression "same deal" on the
radio but missed the context since I wasn't listening carefully.

Which of the following is incorrect?
(1)I thought it might be interesting to ask the group in general what
they thought was a good or bad essay.
(2)I thought it might be interesting to ask the group in general what

I just heard a new acronym on the radio.  People who object to
planning applications are BANANAs.
Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere At all
I see that Word Spy already knows it, but with a slightly different

My professor has habit of saying "take all this crab or crap"... What
does it mean?
You can hear part of what he said.
http://boomp3.com/m/c19af7e16336

Need the specific term : - to describe People who read all post in any
particular online forum but dont post anything?

May 18 2007
   Photographs From Today's AUE Boink!
http://www.purlgurl.net/aue/aue_boink.jpg
Purl Gurl

What does "wherever" means in the following cliches?
1. My dear friend Bob, wherever you are, I hope you enjoy only gourmet
food.
2. My beloved late husband, wherever he is now, I hope he would

What is the etymology of the word "Cocks" (or, I guess, "cock"), especially
in the context of family names?  (And when did 'surnames' become
unfasionable?)

Story headline From a 1919 newspaper:
   FARM BUREAUS ARE "CUTTING EDGE" OF STATE FOOD SYSTEM
   So Writes Governor to Officers of Drive for Members
   The Hartford Courant (1887-1922) - Hartford, Conn.

Can anyone show me examples of good short essays, about 200-300 words
in length?
Tks

It seems that "the" in
"And there will be only the more confusion"
is quite rare, isn't it?
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In Roald Dahl's short story _Katina_, "I" describe a
nine-year-old girl like this:
I couldn't see much of her face because of the blood, but
I could tell that she was lovely.  She had high cheekbones