The idiom “in the running” means being a candidate or still competing. It originated from horse racing and is now used for any type of competition. It can refer to individuals or organizations, and has an opposite corollary, “out of the running.” The English idiom “in the running” refers to someone who is a candidate […]
The term “embryonic” is being used to describe projects, ideas, and relationships that are in their early stages. This may be influenced by the ongoing debate about the status of human embryos. With time and care, these embryonic things may develop into something great. Once they do, there are other idioms to describe them. If […]
Consumer credit counseling is a service that provides financial advice to those with unmanageable levels of debt. A credit counselor assesses an individual’s financial situation and educates them on possible options for managing their debt. Seeking counseling shouldn’t significantly affect credit standing, but it’s important to ensure the firm is legitimate. Legitimate counseling firms are […]
Extraordinary items are unexpected gains or losses due to unusual circumstances outside a company’s control. They are recorded in accounting records and appear on profit and loss statements. Examples include natural disasters, embezzlement, and sudden changes in demand. Each event is recorded separately, and details are provided in financial statement notes. Most companies only record […]
Research programs are coordinated by large organizations and vary in structure and objectives. Program managers oversee projects and ensure they remain in business. Different organizations have different goals for research programs, including market research, social goals, and development. Inter-organizational funding and cooperation may occur. A research program coordinates several projects that share a common research […]
Relative pronouns link two clauses together. The most common are “that, who, whom, which”. They can be used in restrictive or non-restrictive clauses. The pronoun refers to the antecedent in the first clause. Non-restrictive clauses use a comma and “which” or “who”, while restrictive clauses use “that”. A relative pronoun is a type of pronoun […]
Aristotle believed that the purpose of rhetoric in speech is to persuade the listener of the speaker’s point of view. Different types of rhetoric serve different purposes, from persuading people to vote to inciting revolution. Rhetoric is a one-way system for conveying information and opinion. While rhetoric has played an important role in democracies, it […]
Asset trading, or asset swapping, can help improve a company’s cash flow by creating a package that includes a cash medium or credit asset and a swap of assets of equal value to create a floating interest rate instrument. This strategy can be useful in bringing current liabilities in line with assets and making the […]
An annual general meeting (AGM) is a yearly meeting where companies discuss important business matters outlined in the agenda, including progress reports, financial statements, dividends, and board elections. Attendance is restricted to the board, shareholders, and invited guests, and the president presides over the meeting. The minutes are recorded and distributed for approval, and shareholders […]
Process specification provides clear step-by-step guidance for completing a task. It can be standardized or include non-standard language. The reader follows a flowchart to produce an indistinguishable final product. It is used in manufacturing, software development, and document generation. Standardized terminology guides and conventions are available. Process specification is the provision of clear, step-by-step guidance […]
The distributive hypothesis suggests that words with similar meanings are grouped together in texts. Linguists like Firth and Harris used mathematical methods to study this, leading to the development of statistical semantics and HAL. This has implications for AI and language acquisition. The distributive hypothesis proposes the idea that words with the same meaning are […]
Eye dialect is a literary technique that alters the spelling of words to visually represent speech patterns. It can enhance characterization, create humor, and show a character’s state of mind. It has been used by authors such as William Faulkner and JK Rowling, as well as in comic books and films. Eye dialect is a […]
Phone swapping, or telephone switching, is the process of transferring funds from one mutual fund or variable annuity to another of a similar type, using the phone as the medium. It allows investors to take advantage of changes in the market and can be done online or via landline. Also known as phone swapping, phone […]
Weak verbs, often auxiliary verbs like “to be” and “to have,” can create passive voice and weaken writing. Regular verbs requiring “-ed” are also weak. Strong verbs are irregular and change internally. A weak verb is typically an auxiliary verb that is used in conjunction with a main verb resulting in a sentence that feels […]
Pomposity is a rhetorical device where someone acts as or represents someone else who is absent or imaginary. It can provide a different perspective in an artistic way, but must be used carefully. It derives from ancient Greek and is a key component of fiction and theatre. It can also be used in everyday life […]
Brainstem encephalitis causes inflammation of the brainstem, often due to cancerous tumors. Symptoms include ataxia, dizziness, and visual disturbances. Treatment involves intravenous drugs and surgery if necessary. Brainstem encephalitis is a medical condition that causes swelling and inflammation of the brainstem, the area of the brain that connects to the spine. The most common cause […]
Bailiffs are responsible for maintaining security in courthouses and prisons, managing buildings and grounds, and protecting court officials. They may also administer the jury and perform police activities in some jurisdictions. Education and experience requirements vary. The duties of a bailiff generally include supervising the operations and maintenance of the court and its grounds. The […]
Work in progress (WIP) refers to a product that has been created but is not yet ready for sale due to unfinished production, delayed release dates, or issues within the supply chain. Proper supply chain management helps companies avoid excess WIP and minimize costs. Work in progress, also known as WIP, is a term generally […]
Objectivism is a philosophy by Ayn Rand, promoting rational self-interest and minimizing government influence. It has influenced the modern libertarian movement and adheres to metaphysical realism and Romantic Realism. Rand’s books have sold over 22 million copies worldwide, with tens of thousands identifying as Objectivists today. Objectivism is a philosophy presented by Russian-American writer and […]
Theoretical sociology focuses on theory and broad research traditions, while practical sociology is more concrete. It involves identifying and analyzing sociological problems and reacting to them with action points or principles. Subcategories include structural functionalism, Marxism, and conflict theory. Theoretical sociology seeks to draw conclusions about causal events and address real problems in sociology, similar […]