Teetotal = Wasted, Drunk. Wrong!

Never, just as I am serious about being a teetotaller, I am also serious about the use of a dictionary. So that is what you thought of me, eh? Well, now what do you think. Oh, never mind.... Say! Do you know it is almost Christmas! Where did the time go?

I always thought a teetotaler was someone who sneaked a nip every now and then. I was surprised when I found out it means to completely abstain... hence the word 'total' in there I guess. I remember when I was taking courses in Scientology, LRH had 'study tech' that was rigorously implemented in the courseroom. He was very big on not going past a word that you did not fully understand. And when you looked up a word it was 'suggested' that you use it in a few sentences to ensure you got it. I hated it when the supervisor was sitting there with me when I was looking up a word because I would have to make up some sentences and say them out loud. I was always embarrassed that I was going to use the word wrong and demonstrate my ignorance, hehehe. Once I used the word cacophony in a conversation with my sister. The thing is, I had only ever seen it in print, I had never heard it spoken, nor had I ever looked it up, I just got the gist of what it meant from the context of the sentences I had ever seen it in. So anyway, my little sister ended up correcting my pronunciation of the word. I'm sure glad I no longer think I have to be perfect!!!!

Till a few years ago , i confused the meaning word spendthrift. instead of taking it as one who is extravagant and wastefule with money i misunderstood it for one who is stingy. I really wonder what made me understand that word in that way.

I have had serious problem with pronunciation of teetotaler. Always was kind of confused as to the spelling and the subsequent pronunciation. Even now I am very careful with it. Coming to the confusion, I am sure I have been there on several occasions. Just right now my memory is failing This reminds me of my friend who once had written, I have an unfamiliar wife, taking that UNFAMILIAR means congenial and gentle. I still remember the laugh that we had! Good old memories...

I do it all the time with foreign words in Arabic, Before this I would get mixed up with Hindi and in the Philippines I would get mixed up with Tagalog as well. Thankfully I don't seem to trip up with English that often though, so I guess it kinda balances out! English can be a tough language when it comes to similar words and their usage. Word usage like practice versus practise etc can get confusing for many of us at times. Boon and bane are at opposite ends of the spectrum so I'm glad you worked it out in the end!

Hmmm, the words "Quips" & "Qualms" comes to mind...not the exact opposite meaning...but i was using "Quips" when what I really meant to say was "Qualms"...Exhibit A: I absolutely have no "QUIPS" about using the Thesaurus when I run across unfamiliar words.

hi there.. i know the meaning of this word... what is ridiculous is the word fatuous... i thought it means something fatty or fat..cr chubby.. wahh.. it meant..stupid... just how apt.. hahhaha..this can make u really feel stupid because it means stupid...sheesh...

Yes, I'm sure this must have happened to me several times in life, though I've conveniently blocked them all from my memory.