An oxymoron is a contradictory sentence, often with multiple meanings. Examples include “vegetarian meatballs,” “bird dog,” and “pretty bad.” An oxymoron is a sentence in which the parts are contradictory or incongruous in different ways. Often, at least one of the words in an oxymoron is not used literally or has multiple meanings, or there […]
The imperative mood in English is used for commands and permissions, with the subject implied. The verb form is the bare infinitive, except for “to be”. Negative sentences use “do not”. Indirect speech acts using the indicative mood are often used for requests instead of the imperative, which can be seen as rude. The English […]
The term “social butterfly” may have originated as a derogatory term for women who dated many men. It now describes outgoing individuals who are comfortable in social situations and move from group to group at parties. True social butterflies have a light touch and innate social grace, while obnoxiously gregarious individuals do not fit the […]
A vocal coach provides training to singers to improve their singing and care for their voices. They develop a work plan to expand vocal range, improve voice quality, and develop skills. Vocal coaches also provide instructions for taking care of the voice and work with singers to prepare for performances. They can work independently or […]
Endowment accounting tracks financial transactions involving donor-restricted investment funds of a nonprofit organization, ensuring that funds are used in accordance with the donor’s wishes. Nonprofits must separate endowment funds into permanently and temporarily restricted assets and ensure proper management to maintain their tax-exempt status. Endowment accounting is the process of tracking, categorizing, and recording financial […]
Shepherds historically managed sheep on public lands and were responsible for their safety, predator control, and veterinary assistance. Changes in sheep raising and fencing have made shepherds largely obsolete, but they can still be found in some regions and are iconic figures in some religions. A shepherd is someone who takes care of the sheep. […]
Collections agents contact debtors on behalf of clients, following legal protocol and creating urgency for payment. They send letters and make phone calls, keeping debt confidential. They aim to agree on a payment schedule, but cannot make threats. The job has a high turnover rate due to stress. A collections agent works at a collections […]
A request for information (RFI) is a document used by government agencies or companies to request information from the public to address a particular problem. It is used for large procurements and can be in various formats. RFI is similar to request for proposal (RFP) and request for quotation (RFQ). An RFT advertises opportunities available […]
“As the crow flies” is an idiom meaning the most direct route between two points. It may have originated from sailors following a crow to land in fog, or from the path a bird takes when flying. The phrase has been used in literature and there is a similar Scottish idiom. Other idioms involving crows […]
Guillemets are punctuation marks used as quotation marks in many languages. They can be single or double and have additional functions in computer languages. They are named after a French printer and are used differently in various languages. They are also known as angle quotation marks or duck foot quotes and have become universal symbols […]
Silent strokes, often ischemic, can cause brain damage and increase the risk of further strokes. Symptoms may be ignored or not noticed, but can be visualized with MRI. Routine brain screening is recommended for those at higher risk. When people think about stroke, they often visualize a dramatic incident in which a person suddenly shows […]
Abnormal psychologists study and categorize mental disorders, using theories such as cognitive, behavioral, and medical to explain their causes and develop treatments. They consider cultural and demographic factors and the impact of behavior on others when assessing abnormal behavior. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders provides information for clinical psychologists. […]
Small entities, including businesses with fewer than 500 employees, independent inventors, and non-profit organizations, are eligible for reduced patent application fees and maintenance fees. Small entities must declare their status and notify the USPTO of any changes. Licensing a patent to a non-small entity will result in loss of small entity status. The discount for […]
Concrete poetry is a form of verse where the shape of the poem on the page conveys meaning. It challenges established notions about language and images, and was part of a larger movement in art and literature. It must be seen by the public and is sometimes called visual poetry. It preceded later trends in […]
A triolet is a French poetic form with eight lines and two rhymes, where the first line is repeated three times. It can convey humorous or serious ideas, and its repetition and brevity make it appealing. Thomas Hardy’s triolet “How Great is My Sorrow” exemplifies how repetition can add complexity to a seemingly simple poem. […]
The Kshatriya caste in Hinduism traditionally held power and were rulers and warriors. The caste system, based on the Vedas, became hereditary and discriminatory. Kshatriyas were expected to intermarry and were responsible for defending society. They were originally the highest caste but were replaced by Brahmins. Reforms have abolished discriminatory aspects of the caste system. […]
Contra assets have a natural credit balance and are used to reduce asset accounts such as accumulated depreciation. Two common examples are the allowance for doubtful accounts and accumulated depreciation. Contra accounts may have a zero balance in some cases and may require a separate disclosure paragraph. A contra asset is an account that has […]
Yellow journalism is sensationalized and biased reporting that distorts facts to attract readers and increase market share. It originated in the late 1800s with William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer’s competition for sales. While less prevalent today, it still exists in some media outlets. Critics argue it can pervert justice and make it difficult to […]
A polymath, or Renaissance man/woman, has extensive knowledge of a wide range of subjects and an assortment of skills. The term comes from Greek roots meaning “to learn”. Erudition was highly valued in classical Greece, Rome, and China, and the tradition of well-rounded scholarship persists in China. Becoming a polymath requires drive and the ability […]
Interpersonal skills training improves communication, assertiveness, negotiation, conflict resolution, and cultural sensitivity. Soft skills are useful in business and can be learned through seminars and courses. Employers may pay for employee development. Reviews and recommendations help choose the right course. Interpersonal skills training is a business education designed to improve communication skills with others. People […]
