# 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:** 42
**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:** [February 19, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/824 "2024-02-19T20:24:21Z")
You certainly _could_ say that But if anyone heard you abusing English in that too-cute way they’d fling you off the peak in a fit of pique and when you hit bottom after your peak experience you’d be looking a little peaked. Bruised and broken too. 😁 ---
**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:** [February 20, 2024, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/825 "2024-02-20T11:38:55Z")
Slight correction (at least to British English) - you’d be feeling understandably piqued, and looking rather peaky too. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2024, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/826 "2024-02-21T04:46:55Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > at least to British English In American English, it’s _peaked_, pronounced peek-id. Is peaky the same word/meaning as in Peaky Blinders? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2024, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/827 "2024-02-21T05:55:25Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Is peaky the same word/meaning as in Peaky Blinders? No, AIUI the latter name is derived from the gang’s wearing traditional flat caps with a peak. Such a cap was called a “peaky” in the slang of the day. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2024, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/828 "2024-02-21T07:01:41Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Such a cap was called a “peaky” in the slang of the day. Thanks! ---
**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:** [February 23, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/829 "2024-02-23T15:39:58Z")
**on behalf of X** : representing or acting for/in the interests of X **on the part of X** : ascribes to X responsibility for something. I occasionally see the former where the latter is meant. ---
**Author:** ![EnolaStraight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/830 "2024-02-23T17:14:49Z")
**Affluent:** wealthy. **Effluent:** sewerage. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/831 "2024-02-23T17:22:23Z")
**terminal** : at the end of something **terminus** : the end of something ---
**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:** [February 23, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/832 "2024-02-23T20:55:53Z")
_gaiter_: an article of clothing that keeps snow and mud out of one’s boot _gator_ or _'gator_ or _gater_: an alligator _Gater_ or _'Gater_: a fan of _Stargate_, the science fiction franchise ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/833 "2024-02-24T22:29:23Z")
goiter: swelling on the neck, usually due to enlarged thyroid gland ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2024, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/834 "2024-02-25T05:25:27Z")
**passive** : receiving action from without **impassive** : not susceptible to pain or suffering ---
**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:** [February 25, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/835 "2024-02-25T14:55:12Z")
**passivist** : one who avoids action **pacifist** : one who avoids violence ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/836 "2024-02-27T19:11:37Z")
> [@EnolaStraight](#): > > **Affluent:** wealthy. > **Effluent:** sewerage. Effluent can also be an outflow of any kind. It doesn’t have to be sewage (or, to be delicate, wastewater). ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/837 "2024-02-29T00:56:53Z")
**upload** : To transfer programs or data over a digital communications link from a system near you (especially a smaller or peripheral client system) to one further away from you (especially a larger or central host system). **download** : To transfer data or (esp.) code from a far-away system (especially a larger host system) over a digital communications link to a nearby system ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/838 "2024-02-29T10:48:43Z")
There’s also sideloading: > **[Sideloading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideloading)** > > Sideloading describes the process of transferring files between two local devices, in particular between a personal computer and a mobile device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, tablet, portable media player or e-reader. > Sideloading typically refers to media file transfer to a mobile device via USB, Bluetooth, WiFi or by writing to a memory card for insertion into the mobile device, but also applies to the transfer of apps from web sources that are not vendor-approved. > When referring to... ---
**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:** [February 29, 2024, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/839 "2024-02-29T15:14:27Z")
Usage seems to vary somewhat, but the below is my understanding of these terms. **Sewer** : a pipe or ditch used to direct the flow of wastewater **Sewage** : wastewater that flows in a sewer **Sewerage** : a system of interconnected drains, sewers, manholes, pumps, etc., used to direct the flow of sewage, usually toward a sewage treatment plant **Effluent** : wastewater released into surface waters, often after having been treated at a sewage treatment plant ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/840 "2024-02-29T21:44:40Z")
> [@bibliophage](#): > > **Sewer** : a pipe or ditch used to direct the flow of wastewater There’s also sewer pronounced like “sower”, meaning “one who sews”. Some needlework sites and groups are starting to substitute “sewist”, but “sewer” is still very commonly used. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/841 "2024-02-29T21:46:59Z")
In the US, they don’t use the word sewage any more. “Sewage” has negative connotations, you see. It’s wastewater and wastewater treatment plants. “Sewage sludge” is now “biosolids”. There was a vote on that one. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2024, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/842 "2024-03-02T04:15:11Z")
**epic** : a long narrative poem on a heroic theme **epoch** : a period of history, or an event that marks the beginning of such a period The [transcript](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/brooks-and-capehart-on-the-immigration-policies-of-biden-and-trump) of tonight’s PBS Newshour Brooks and Capehart segment says > [@](#): > > - **Geoff Bennett:** I think perhaps the biggest story of this past week was the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, announcing that he would not seek another term as the Republican leader, ending a stretch as the longest-serving party leader in Senate history. I want to get your reaction to his announcement and really your assessment of his consequential and controversial legacy. > > - **David Brooks:** Yes, I think it was epical, and mostly because he made it clear, I’m out of touch with the party. In that context, I’m pretty sure Brooks meant _epochal_, not _epical_. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/843 "2024-03-02T17:19:48Z")
We watch a lot of British crime dramas. In many of these the bad guys wear baklavas. No wait, or are they balaclavas? Why don’t they just say “ski masks” and be done with it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=41) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772.md?page=43)