From the Archives: Know your English
Language column explaining idioms, pronunciation, and regional word choice
Language notes on idioms, pronunciation, and usage
A language column answers reader questions on English meanings, pronunciation, and usage. It explains the idiom “to bite the dust”, the informal American word “hooch”, the phrase “snail mail”, the regional word choice between “flats” and “apartments”, and the expression “ad nauseam”.
The material is useful mainly as vocabulary support. It has limited direct UPSC value because it does not touch a policy, institution, law, or event, but it can help in precision of language for essay and comprehension practice.
UPSC can use such vocabulary notes mainly for English comprehension, essay writing, and precise expression. The expressions are not core current affairs, so the study value is limited to language proficiency rather than direct Prelims or Mains content.
