The English Language

[Matt Fletcher]

"Table" when used as a verb is a very odd one (albeit not one I'd personally use very often).

In UK usage it means "to offer something for discussion" eg "the MPs tabled several last minute amendments"
In US usage it means "to leave something for discussion later" eg "the motion has been tabled"

These are extremely close to being opposite meanings - which can be very confusing...

[E Michael White]

What does it mean to fly a continuation?

As mentioned by RdeC and Ian Thompson the word fly as used here is idiomatic and means to try. It is not good written English and is now considered dated idiom. It usually refers to new or so far untested ideas, which are released for more public comment.

It derives from WW2 RAF and USAF slang, The US version was "run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes it"; this remained popular in the US during 1950s and 1960s. There are many internet references. However the Brits were less inclined to salute fabric and had the version "run it up the flagpole and see if it flies". This was reintroduced into cavalier office speak in the UK during the 1990s as this Daily Mail article picks up.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... dwich.html

[soheil_hooshdaran]

Can "square" mean king's throne?

[soheil_hooshdaran]

What's the difference between "plus" and "advantage"?

[MartinCarpenter]

Advantage is the real word Plus used to mean the same sort of thing, I think maybe coming from the +/= and +/- notations.
(The + being plus.).

[Barry Sandercock]

Soheil Hooshdaran wrote:
Can "square " mean king's throne?

No, It can't.

[soheil_hooshdaran]

What's the difference between:
It sounds like a wonderful idea to me, does it really work
and
It seems like a wonderful idea to me, does it really work?
Thanks in advance

[Michael Farthing]

I think in this case it can safely be said that there is no difference!

[MartinCarpenter]

Not sure The one with a question implies reasonably strongly that the question is meant to be answered by the reader, without it it might be about to turn retorical/be answered by the immediately following text.

[Ian Thompson]

Not sure The one with a question implies reasonably strongly that the question is meant to be answered by the reader, without it it might be about to turn retorical/be answered by the immediately following text.

I was tempted to reply with the somewhat facetious "one's missing a question mark and the other one isn't", until I realised that the question mark that is there is probably for Soheil's question, so they're both missing a question mark.

[MartinCarpenter]

Ah, true

[Michael Farthing]

Interesting. I just thought the missing question mark was a typo.

[soheil_hooshdaran]

Indeed there was no question sentence.
The question mark was for my own question

[soheil_hooshdaran]

What's the difference between breaking a promise and going back on your word?

[Clive Blackburn]

What's the difference between breaking a promise and going back on your word?

No difference really, they mean the same thing