# Words one can get confused **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 18, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772 "2022-09-18T20:10:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/424 "2023-06-05T16:55:25Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > French is an attempt to have a language that has no actual consonants or vowels, only a series of accents. 😛 Nah, only about 1/3 of the words contain an accent… **bonsai** : miniature trees planted in a bowl **banzai** : “10,000 years” in Japanese **coop** : an enclosure for birds **coup** : a quick, successful act ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/425 "2023-06-05T16:59:47Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > **on route** : along a (particular) path, road, or highway. “There were many motels on Route 66.” > **en route** : on the way. “We were en route to Los Angeles on Route 66.” I often hear the meaning _en route_ rendered as “in route” in the U.S., I’m pretty sure it’s a substitution of the English preposition rather than a variant pronunciation. I suppose it’s something that you might say originated as an eggcorn, but I think it’s now well established as a valid variant. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/426 "2023-06-06T00:01:44Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > **coop** : an enclosure for birds > **coup** : a quick, successful act **coupe** a car with a fixed roof, two doors, and a sloping rear (US pron: coop, other coo-pay). ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/427 "2023-06-06T14:26:39Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > **Straight** - Moving or extending in one direction, as a ‘straight line’ > **Strait** - A narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water **Strait** – also an adjective meaning narrow (as in the Biblical “strait and narrow is the way”.) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/428 "2023-06-06T14:50:01Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > Strait – also an adjective meaning narrow (as in the Biblical “strait and narrow is the way”.) But that’s usage is obsolete. It’s also worth noting that the phrase in the Bible is: > strait is the gate, and narrow is the way It’s stylistically appropriate to use two close synonyms in that construction, when modifying two different nouns. But it would be stylistically odd to describe a single thing as “strait and narrow”, it’s like calling something “big and large”. So although it presumably has that Biblical origin, it’s no surprise that the obsolete “strait” morphed into “straight” in the contracted modern expression “straight and narrow”. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/429 "2023-06-06T16:51:11Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > It’s also worth noting that the phrase in the Bible is: > > > strait is the gate, and narrow is the way Thank you. I think there’s a Bible somewhere in the house, but it’s probably packed away in the attic or the basement. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/430 "2023-06-06T16:53:42Z")
There is also “straitened” which refers to becoming limited or hemmed in. e.g. “Since losing his job, his finances have been straitened.” Probably also related to the “strait” of “strait jacket”, a highly limiting garment. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2023, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/431 "2023-06-09T06:46:40Z")
**serjeant** : a lawyer **sergeant** : a soldier (if we nitpick, however, these are really just spelling variations) ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2023, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/432 "2023-06-10T01:17:49Z")
**serge ant** : a nattily dressed insect. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/433 "2023-06-11T20:38:22Z")
**jive** : lively dancing; misleading talk **gyve** : shackles **gybe** (= **jibe** , **gibe** ): to cause a sail to swing from one side of the vessel to the other; to address with scoffs and sneers (gibe someone); to agree, harmonize (gybe with something) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/434 "2023-06-13T03:04:49Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > **gybe** (= **jibe** , **gibe** ): to cause a sail to swing from one side of the vessel to the other; to address with scoffs and sneers (gibe someone); to agree, harmonize (gybe with something) Those are actually separate words. [gibe](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/gibe) or jibe - to utter mocking or scoffing words; jeer. First recorded before 1560–70; perhaps from Middle French giber “to handle roughly, shake,” derivative of gibe “staff, billhook” [jibe](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/jibe) - to be in harmony or accord; agree An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; origin uncertain [jibe](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/jibe)[3] - to shift from one side to the other when running before the wind, as a fore-and-aft sail or its boom. to alter course so that a fore-and-aft sail shifts in this manner. First recorded in 1685–95; variant of gybe, from Dutch gijben, more commonly gijpen ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/435 "2023-06-13T04:04:23Z")
See, I was easily confused! **mantel** : shelf above a fireplace **mantle** : cloak, robe ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/436 "2023-06-13T14:01:55Z")
[Beautification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beautification) - the act of improving the appearance of a particular location, by adding attractive features such as shrubs, flower beds, or fountains. [Beatification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatification) - a declaration by the Catholic church that a particular deceased person has entered Heaven ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2023, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/437 "2023-06-13T16:41:37Z")
Don’t forget: **self-beatification** - a form of personal amusement that does _not_ amuse the Catholic church. Nor a few other uptight sects. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/438 "2023-06-14T04:18:54Z")
**indicted** and **indicated**. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/439 "2023-06-14T05:09:59Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > indicted Guilty and not guilty. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/440 "2023-06-14T19:54:51Z")
**gamble** : to wager or to take a risk **gambol** : to frolic or dance about **climatic** : relating to the earth’s climate **climactic** : relating to the climax of a literary work or a series of events **climacteric** : critical or relating to a critical stage, age, or period ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/441 "2023-06-14T20:01:24Z")
The mantle is the shell-secreting organ of certain mollusks. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/442 "2023-06-14T20:34:44Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > **climacteric** : critical or relating to a critical stage, age, or period Also an archaic medical term for “menopause”. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/443 "2023-06-15T02:55:35Z")
It also refers to fruit (e.g. bananas) that ripen after picking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=23)