# 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:** 32
**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:** [October 12, 2023, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/624 "2023-10-12T02:22:46Z")
If you want we can start a thread on “Earth’s Most Horrifying Organisms”. It’s a rather long list of nightmare fuel and I’m no expert by any means. 😬 ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/625 "2023-10-12T04:31:17Z")
Stumbled across some unfamiliar word use in [this discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kids-arent-alright-cotd/991200/92) and it reminded me of this thread. rattletrap: an old or rickety vehicle rattrap: a device for trapping rats; a dilapidated building (e.g., one inhabited by rats); a difficult or entangling situation; (adj., usually describing a mouth or jaw) thin-lipped, wide and tight, especially connoting a hostile or menacing expression ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/626 "2023-10-12T08:45:24Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > All the stars with a Bayer name use the genitive form of the constellation’s Latin name. Also numbered stars such as 18 Scorpii, one of the closest Sunlike stars. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/627 "2023-10-12T19:49:21Z")
**talon** : claw **talion** : retaliation, retribution ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/628 "2023-10-27T10:45:22Z")
**principle** : a fundamental assumption **principal** : primary, first level in importance **semiotic** : relating to signs or symptoms **semetic** : [probably not a real word? semet = anther] **semitic** : of any of a number of peoples of ancient southwestern Asia and East Africa ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/629 "2023-10-27T20:37:44Z")
Maybe cheating a bit because these are proper names, but Pantheon: an ancient Roman temple in Rome Parthenon: an ancient Greek temple in Athens I used to get these confused all the time, because the name “Pantheon” is clearly from Greek roots (“pan” = all, “theion” = of a god), while Parthenon, although also Greek, has a less obvious root. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/630 "2023-10-27T22:56:15Z")
trial and trail I remember that a path might have a rail fence. I can still screw it up after a long day at work. Martial arts and Marital ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/631 "2023-10-28T11:08:42Z")
**execrate** : to denounce, curse **excrete** : to discharge material **excoriate** : to flay, strongly denounce ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/632 "2023-10-28T13:56:11Z")
Discreet/discrete: distinctly diffident/distinctly different Coruscating/excoriating: flashing and sparkling/flaying and disembowelling In the realm of simple typing errors, I would sometimes type Louise as Lousie (oops), and I lost count of the times I missed out an unimportant word like “not”. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/633 "2023-10-28T13:57:09Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Martial arts and Marital Not always that different… ---
**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:** [October 28, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/634 "2023-10-28T15:31:34Z")
I didn’t even know _talion_ was an English word until I read your post today. I knew it as a French word with the same meaning, and that only because I read the novel _Les Sept Jours du Talion_ by Patrick Senécal. It’s worth reading if you know French, but like a lot of his books, it’s not for the faint of heart. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/635 "2023-10-28T15:32:18Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > Coruscating/excoriating: flashing and sparkling/flaying and disembowelling Maybe the same if you scourged one of those sparkly vampires? ---
**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:** [October 28, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/636 "2023-10-28T15:43:11Z")
**censor** : (1) v., to suppress or prevent publication of a work, opinion, etc.; (2) n., one who censors **censure** : (1) v., to formally rebuke; (2) n. a formal rebuke **censer** : n., a kind of incense burner **sensor** : a device, often electronic, that measures some physical phenomenon **senser** : a person or animal that senses ---
**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:** [October 28, 2023, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/637 "2023-10-28T21:26:15Z")
Along those lines: phosphorus: Chemical element, nonmetal, atomic number 15 Phosphorous: Containing, characteristic of, pertaining to, or resembling phosphorus ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/638 "2023-10-29T11:36:49Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > **Colombia** : tropical country > **Columbia** : America Colombia is in America, too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Amia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@Amia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amia)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/639 "2023-10-29T11:56:02Z")
It drives me crazy when people claim they raised a family. We raise sheep and rear children. Secondly, if you are not concerned about a topic , you could NOT care less. Think about it. My son recently found out they were expecting a baby. I jokingly commented the “to heir is human!” He has a Masters degree and was valedictorian years ago but needed me to explain my play on words. Ugh! I teased him that if he were bilingual I could overlook errors but if he is only fluent in English, he should speak it well. Being articulate opens many doors. Loved this post. I personally struggle with effect and affect continuously. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/640 "2023-10-29T16:28:34Z")
> [@Amia](#): > > needed me to explain my play on words. To be fair, not everyone is familiar with Alexander Pope, and that isn’t a phrase in constant use among people of a younger persuasion, I’d guess Besides, to forgive is divine… Here’s an obscure one I just came across in a novel: Demurred: raise objections/show reluctance Deferred: [depending on context] withdrew/suppressed objections/ accepted someone else’s decision ---
**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:** [October 29, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/641 "2023-10-29T16:39:00Z")
> [@Amia](#): > > I personally struggle with effect and affect continuously. **continuous** : absolutely uninterrupted **continual** : recurring at frequent intervals ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/642 "2023-10-29T16:40:55Z")
> [@Amia](#): > > Secondly, if you are not concerned about a topic , you could NOT care less. Think about it. This isn’t really a word you can get confused’. It is an idiom, and we’ve had at least two threads dedicated to it. > [@I could care less....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-could-care-less/86006/10): > > I think Glenoled has it right. It’s not as bad when people say things like “I am literally going insane” when they mean “figuratively”. Or using made up words like supposably. > [@"I could care less"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-could-care-less/696622?page=1): > > Now, I have done an advanced search and couldn’t find a thread on this topic anywhere, so hopefully I am not duplicating any previous discussion. The reason the thread is in General as opposed to Great Debates is because I would like to know whether the American expression “I could care less” has always been accepted usage, or whether the UK expression “I couldn’t care less” has ever been common currency in the States, and somehow became transmuted into “I could care less”. I am not seeking … Put me in the camp that says ‘you could care less’ is a perfectly cromulent idiom. However, ‘cromulent’ is itself a word with debatable status. > [@"Embiggen" is now a perfectly cromulent word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/embiggen-is-now-a-perfectly-cromulent-word/810105?page=1): > > [At least according to Merriam-Webster, that is.](http://www.businessinsider.com/embiggen-simpsons-2018-3?r=UK&IR=T) Embiggen, [defined as](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embiggen) “to make bigger or more expansive : enlarge, expand”, is part of the new crop of words the dictionary has added this year. Can “crapulence”, “boostafazoo”, “adultivity”, and “dumbening” be far behind? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/643 "2023-10-29T16:49:21Z")
> [@Amia](#): > > I jokingly commented the “to heir is human!” He has a Masters degree and was valedictorian years ago but needed me to explain my play on words. Ugh! I teased him that if he were bilingual I could overlook errors but if he is only fluent in English, he should speak it well. This is not a joke that is obvious without seeing it in print, since he would have no way of knowing you were making a play on words that are pronounced identically. But go ahead and insult your son for not getting your random joke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=31) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=33)