1 A. Rahman., Cox Town. What is meant by the cusp of history?
‘Cusp’ (originally from Architecture) has found its way into various disciplines like Astronomy, and Mathematics. (The cusp of a curve is the point at which the direction of a curve is abruptly reversed.) It is also found in a figurative sense in ordinary language: ‘a point of transition between two different states, e.g. those on the cusp of adulthood.
The crossing of the Rubicon by Julius Caesar (BC 49); the sack of Rome by Alaric (AD 410); the fall of Bastille (14 July 1789) —these events can be said to mark a cusp in western European history. But sports writers, ever on the look out for striking phrases use this expression indiscriminately. Many a writer spoke of Team India’s tour of Australia as marking a cusp in Indo-Australian cricket. One can speak with greater justification of the formation of IPL as marking a cusp in the history of cricket.
2. Shankar, K, V. Is there a distinction between proved and proven?
The past participle of prove is proven in American English and proved in British English. Americans will say It has been proven; the British will say It has been proved. Strictly speaking, both forms are correct.
This apart prove has several senses worth noting: to prove a theorem (establish a theorem as true, correct; Mathematics); establish something as true (We have enough evidence to prove that he is guilty. Note the construction: prove + that -clause); turn out (The trek proved to be more difficult than anticipated (prove+ infinitive); He proved himself an able manager (=himself to be an able manager).
In the adjectival use (i.e. qualifying a noun) the word is proven. Kissinger has a proven ability to negotiate deals.
American usage is now spreading in India. It is a given fact which has been satisfactorily proven… A. Chaudhury: India Today and Tomorrow, Feb. 2008.
3. Venkatesh M.C. 51 police personnel were arrested. Why personnel? Why not policemen?
Personnel is more or less a technical word. It refers to persons employed in an organisation — military, police, etc. The word came into use when the need was felt to distinguish the ‘hardware’ (equipment, materials, etc.) in an organisation from the staff managing and using it.
4 Somashekar, Y What is the meaning of green shoe option?
Those who have been following the recent spate of IPOs (=initial public offer) cannot have failed to notice two phrases in the announcements: green shoe option, red herring prospectus. Green shoe option is a share market term not explained, surprisingly, in most dictionaries. It refers to the company’s right to retain a certain percentage of money received over and above the capital initially announced to be raised. Additional shares will be issued to the value of the amount so retained.
As for red herring prospectus, frankly this puzzles me. ‘Red herring’ is something introduced in a text, debate, etc. to confuse and distract the opponent. The phrase has its origin in hunting where red herring was used to confuse the hounds and put them off the trail. (For details see my Current English, 2002, OUP paperback). Are the prospectuses issued by these companies so worded as to confuse and distract the investors?
Chaitaneysh has a couple of questions. (a) Is there any difference between from now on and henceforth?
None whatever, except that the first one is informal and that is what you would normally use in speaking. Henceforth is more formal. L&T cement will be known henceforth as Ultratech.
(b) He hit a six off Murali Karthik. / 52 runs needed off 55 balls. Is not of more appropriate?
No. the meaning here is ‘away from’ — both literally and figuratively. So off is the correct word.
(d) In connection with / with regard to — any difference?
With regard to introduces a new topic. Thus speaking about the coming Budget a speaker may say: ‘With regard to personal income tax, I have some suggestions’ In connection would not be used here. It is more likely to be found when a reference has to be made to something already presented/ mentioned. ‘In connection with the new savings schemes announced by the FM, I’d like to say…
Shyamsunder. ‘Each of all those present — is this phrase acceptable?
No. All those present includes everyone who is present. So where is the need for each? But suppose you want to draw attention to every one who was present. You could say: Each one of those who were present. All would be redundant here. But if you still want to have both each and all, you may have to say; Each one of all those who were present…
Correction. In the Feb. 28th issue of this column some bearded Turks managed to nudge their way in and edged out some 20 Albanians with beautiful moustaches. This slackness in security is regretted.
Contact the writer at ksyadurajan@yahoo.com
