What is the difference between ‘semi-monthly’ and ‘bimonthly’?

(Mukesh, New
Delhi)

The word ‘bimonthly’ is rather ambiguous; it has two very different meanings. A
magazine that is published twice a month — i.e. every two weeks — can be called a
‘bimonthly’. The term, however, can also be used to refer to a journal or magazine
that is published once in two months. Americans, in general, prefer ‘semi-monthly’,
and they frequently use the word to mean ‘twice a month’.

We decided that the new publication was going to be a semi-monthly/bimonthly.

What is the meaning and origin of ‘happy as a sandboy’? (Vinod Ghai,

Amritsar)

This rather old-fashioned expression is mostly limited to British English; the idiom
was quite popular till the 19th century. The original expression was ‘jolly as a
sandboy’. When you say that someone is ‘happy as a sandboy’, what you are
suggesting is that the individual is extremely happy about something. The idiom has
more or less the same meaning as ‘happy as a clam at high tide’. In the old days, the
word ‘boy’ was frequently used to refer to a man who did menial work; a male worker
of low status. This probably explains why the men who look after cattle and work on
ranches are called ‘cowboys’, and why men who work in hotels and carry people’s
suitcases are called ‘bellboys’. Several centuries ago, sand was used as a form of floor
covering in theatres, bars, houses, etc.; whenever someone spilt something or spit on
the floor, the sand absorbed it. Sandboys were hired to spread the sand on the floor
and also remove it at regular intervals. Though these individuals were seldom paid in
cash, they always remained in excellent spirits — the free drinks that they received
ensured they always remained happy.

Ramana was happy as a sandboy when the company promoted him.

He’s happy as a sandboy when his grandchildren play with him.

What is the meaning of ‘moonstruck’? (G. Sailaja, Madurai)

Many people believe that the moon somehow influences the way human beings
behave. There are many stories about how on a full moon night, some people
transform into werewolves. When you say that someone is ‘moonstruck’, you are
suggesting that the individual is acting in an odd manner — the person is in love and
is therefore not himself; he is acting in a crazy or foolish manner.

Don’t pay any attention to Priya. She’s moonstruck.

When the actor stepped out of the club, moonstruck teenagers mobbed him.

How is the word ‘mollycoddle’ pronounced? (Nalini, Erode)

The first word rhymes with ‘jolly’, ‘volley’, and ‘poly’. The ‘cod’ in ‘coddle’ rhymes
with ‘god’, ‘pod’, and ‘mod’, and the second syllable sounds like the ‘dle’ in ‘middle’
and ‘fiddle’. The word, which is mostly used to show disapproval, is pronounced
‘MO-li cod-el’ with the main stress on the first syllable of ‘molly’. When you
mollycoddle your children, you are being overly protective. The word also suggests
that you indulge them too much; in other words, you make sure that all their wants
and demands are met.

Like any grandmother, she took great delight in mollycoddling her grandchild.

I don’t understand why the government is mollycoddling the power industry.

********
Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody. Mark
Twain
How is the expression ‘qui vive’ pronounced? (S. Jayanth, Pune)

The first word is pronounced like the word ‘key’; the second, rhymes with ‘leave’,
‘weave’ and ‘heave’. It is pronounced ‘key VEEV’ with the stress on the second
word. In the past, whenever a stranger approached a French fort, the sentry on duty
would shout the question “qui vive”, meaning “Long live who”? The expression was
the short form of “qui voulez vous qui vive”, meaning “Whom do you wish to live?”
The question was used to determine if the person at the gate was a friend or a foe. If
the stranger responded by saying, “Long live the King”, he was usually allowed to
enter the fort. When this French expression was adopted into English, it took on a
totally different meaning. The English were so impressed by how vigilant the French
sentry was, they began to use the expression “on the qui vive” to mean “to be alert”,
“to be on the lookout”.

Soldiers along the border have been on qui vive since last night’s bombing.

I must tell Veda about the sale at the mall. She’s always on the qui vive for great
bargains.

What is the difference between ‘no doubt’ and ‘without doubt’? (K. Srivani,
Trichy)

The difference is one of emphasis; ‘without doubt’ is the more formal of the two. It
has the same meaning as ‘without a doubt’. When you say, “You’ll no doubt go
trekking in the morning”, what you are suggesting is that you are pretty sure that the
person will go on a trek. In other words, you believe that the person is very likely to
go — there is, however, a small element of doubt. When you say, “Dilip without (a)
doubt is the most intelligent boy in class”, what you are suggesting is that you have no
doubt whatsoever that he is the smartest boy in class. You are absolutely certain about
this; ‘without (a) doubt’ adds emphasis to your belief.
Karthik has no doubt told you that he’s getting married next month.

She is without (a) doubt the girl of Karthik’s dreams.

What is the meaning of ‘hardcore’ in ‘hardcore drug addict’? (L. Aswath, Delhi)

The word ‘hardcore’ or ‘hard-core’ can be used both as a noun and an adjective.
When you describe someone as being a ‘hardcore addict’, what you are suggesting is
that he is into drugs big time; he uses substances regularly, perhaps even on a daily
basis. There is little one can do to help him kick the habit. The word is also frequently
used to refer to one’s belief system. When you say that someone is a ‘hardcore
conservative’, you are implying he is someone who strongly believes in conservatism;
nothing you do or say will get him to change his existing set of beliefs. He is someone
who is very dedicated to the cause he believes in.

The hardcore members of the ruling party did not like the PM’s decision.

Like most hardcore gamers, Sita doesn’t have time to take a bath.

Is it okay to say, “You needn’t to sing”? (V.V. Madhusudhan, Hyderabad)

‘Needn’t’ is not usually followed by ‘to’. For example, ‘You needn’t sing at the
event’. ‘You needn’t do your assignment now’. If you wish to use ‘to’, then you will
have to say, “You don’t need to sing at the event”, and, “You don’t need to do your
assignment now”.

********
“Love is like an hourglass with the heart filling up as the brain empties.” Jules
Renard

The author teaches at the English and Foreign Languages University,

Hyderabad. upendrankye@gmail.com