Saturday, April 18, 2026

Oh Language – 27

 Oh Language – 27                           

In response to the content in episode 26, as ever, Mr. Ashok acknowledged the relevance and utility of the terms discussed there in. 

My good friend Dr. Kannan had opined thus:

A good article. That the word ‘amount’ can be used different contexts has been driven home nicely. Sometimes we say ‘Enormous amount of labour has gone into the task. Another example is ‘Expense’ which has specific connotation; One such is ‘They are enjoying a joke at his expense. In this case, ‘expense’ has no financial implication but refers to ‘making someone the central object’ of fun or ridicule.       Other curious combinations are --Warm water, Warm welcome, cool drinks, cool reception. On the whole a fine article, ‘Congrats’ Prof R K

Thank you Dr. R. K for supplementing the efforts

Many keep saying that they have read the piece. Seldom, they choose to add. Perhaps they have grand readership elsewhere; why write in a place of bygone values? is their contention perhaps.                                     Once again, Thank you Professor.  K Raman

The day’s episode on terms and their applicability are presented as under:

Board

The tem indicates a flat surface of wood or metal that serves as a support for writing or for ironing linen and so on.

Board

The term may mean the body responsible for the conduct of ‘Examination/ selection of personnel to different job positions in a government through bodies like ‘Examination Board’ ‘Staff selection Board’ or ’Screening Committee’ and so on.

Board can mean a body of members vested with a defined authority to govern the activities of an organization like Water management or Electricity distribution or Housing facility and so on.

Within a board there could be a high power committee like “The Board of Directors”

‘Above Board’

The term is an expression of appreciation that suggests highly principled and dignified handling of activities without indulging in corrupt practices. The members of the committee are ‘above board’ and are beyond any shadow of suspicision.

Book [n]

The term refers to a compilation of data / chapters /topics under a defined theme or title or for general reading. Eg : I was reading a book on Culture.

Book[v]

Book can refer to the act of ‘registering’ something of a defined nature, as in “Please book four First class tickets for the cricket match on Sunday” or ‘Mr. Jackson was booked in a murder case’. Rash driving can land the person in jail and get the person  booked for negligent driving.

Books

The expression is a ‘technical’ name for any register of data on money transactions in sale or purchase of goods as in “Books show a clear rise in profits though your statements on income seem to hide them”.

 Boot

The term is a name for a large protective shoe covering the lower limb from below the knee to the foot. It helps to wade through forests, marshy land or slush.

Boot

It can refer to the covered space at the rear side of the car for carrying luggage [named ‘Boot space’]

BOOT

In computer operation, the term refers to the step of ‘entering’ the system or its data base. At times the operation does not occur when the computer is said to be   ‘hanging’ or failing  to boot. 

Boot

The term as used in employment circles may indicate ‘losing’ a job as in Mr. Mahesh got the boot for mismanagement of accounts.

Employees who do not follow work rules are likely to “get the boot” or given the boot which means getting thrown out of job.

To Continue …

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Oh Language – 27

  Oh Language – 27                             In response to the content in episode 26, as ever, Mr. Ashok acknowledged the relevance and...