Are names of chemicals not proper nouns? - English Language
Apr 22, 2024 · Product names which are derived after an inventor's name will often remain capitalized, though not always (e.g. the petroleum distillate used to power trucks and locomotives is called …
Throttle is to slow down, but full throttle is max speed?
Dec 19, 2023 · Originally, throttle meant throat. So "full-throttle" for a motorized vehicle is like a lion's full-throated roar - the throttle/throat is opened as wide as possible (for maximum throughput of fuel …
"If it works, it works" - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
Mar 20, 2025 · I suppose a more realistic example is the development of powered pumps, locomotives etc. Newcomen's atmospheric engine did a vital job, but was bettered by Watt's improvements. …
Origin of the phrase "Now we're cooking with
The original is "Now You're Cooking With Gas", supposedly part of an ad campaign from the era when gas stoves first started replacing wood stoves for cooking in the home. The Wikitionary entry cooking …
"on time" in Chess Jargon - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
Mar 12, 2025 · Note there is a much more common non niche meaning of 'on time' (with stress on both words "Please be on time for work in the morning." meaning arrive at a specific clock time. In the …
Origin of the phrase, "There's more than one way to skin a cat."
Jun 30, 2011 · There are many versions of this proverb, which suggests there are always several ways to do something. The earliest printed citation of this proverbial saying that I can find is in a short story …
"Particulate" vs. "particle" [closed] - English Language & Usage Stack ...
What’s the difference between particulate and particle? Should it be diesel particulates or diesel particles, and why? Could you provide three or more examples where it should use particulate rat...
grammatical number - Plural/singular verb agreement with units ...
Jun 15, 2020 · When writing about specific quantities, should the verb reflect a singular or a plural value? Do abbreviations vs. spelled-out words make any difference? I took 2 ml of water, which …
capitalization - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
Sep 8, 2019 · For example, we have: diesel, in diesel fuel and diesel engines, for inventor Rudolf Diesel (Wikipedia) leotard, for performer Jules Léotard (Wikipedia) voltaic pile, for physicist Alessandro …
what is the origin of the phrase "gimme a break"?
Jul 3, 2024 · The meaning is easily found, but per Etymonline, while it probably comes from cue sports (billiards of some sort), the exact origin isn't totally clear. So this seems a valid question, even if it …