Main Text
Did you ever hear my definition of marriage?
It is, that it resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they can not be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing any one who comes between them.
Sydney Smith shares his definition of a strong marriage.
3m 39s
Love-in-a-Mist
Second Suite of English Folk Dances
A gentle English dance, orchestrated by Ernest Tomlinson.
Did you ever hear my definition of marriage?
It is, that it resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they can not be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing any one who comes between them.
From a ’Fifties Classroom
The words shear and sheer are homophones. Homophones are words that sound exactly alike, but differ in spelling and in meaning. Even in such a short passage, there are a few more. I found five: see if you can spot them — and any others.
Don’t Use Words Off-the-Peg
So many remarks have been devastating, so many blows staggering, so many advances spectacular, so many figures fantastic, so often has variety been bewildering, that these descriptive words have lost their sting. Don’t make it look as though you get your language from a chain-store.
NL Clay, Straightforward English (1949)
Issue 1 •
02 • Biography
Richard Cobden thought his employers were taking a big risk — on him.
03 • George Herbert
A road accident made parish priest George Herbert late for his musical evening, but he was not a bit sorry.
04 • Anecdotes
A Victorian commuter arrived home carrying more than his briefcase.