The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 28

www.pantagraph.com D2 The Pantograph Tuesday, April 9, 2002 Good grammar magic to her ears Stamp highlights carnivorous plants is who start every other sentence with the word "basically" usually have limited vocabularies. My pet peeve double negatives: "I don't know nothing" and "We don't go nowhere" are the worst offenders. Some people think the plural of "you" is "youse." It's not. "You" is both singular and plural. The word "forte" (meaning strong point) is pronounced "fort" not for-tay Also, people use the word "snuck" instead of "sneaked." Although "snuck" somehow sneaked into the dictionary, it's not used by people who use proper English.

Ask someone to define "hoi polloi," and it's a good bet that he will say "high-tone or upper class." Actually, it means "the masses" or the general population. "Nuclear" is pronounced "nuke-lee-er," not And how about "he's got," "she's got" and "they've The better word is "has." has," "she has," etc.) "Got" has got to go! The month of February has two "R's" in it, but we keep ASSOCIATED PRESS Science fiction has portrayed carnivorous plants as bloodthirsty killers waiting for jungle explorers to wander into their clutches. This is nice melodrama, but pure fabrication. Truth be told, carnivorous plants are rather beautiful and colorful and are native to North America. Last year the U.S.

Postal Service released a quartet of carnivores capturing small insects, their normal prey. The stamps feature Venus' flytrap, the yellow trumpet, the English sundew and the cobra lily. Venus' flytrap is shown with a butterfly caught in its leaves. These are found in the Carolinas. The yellow trumpet is seen with a fly in its leaves.

They are found in the southeastern region of the United States. The English sundew is shown using its sticky leaves to trap small insects found in mossy bogs of the U.S. Southwest. The cobra lily has captured 4ri -iSrtfc. Dear Abby means, "Not all women are beautiful." We frequently hear "between you and Wrong! It's "between you and me." Another irritant is "try and" instead of "try to." For example, one may try to win then lose.

But how can one try and win and then lose? One hears supposedly educated people say "between she and instead of the correct "between her and me." And how about the word Just plain "regardless" will do, but regardless of how "irregardless" grates on one's nerves, it has nosed its way into the dictionary. (It means Talk about overusing a word, I nominate "basically." People GopdNeiglibors Dear Abby: I wish you would run your collection of "pet peeves" again. Seventy years ago I learned to conjugate verbs, and I am amazed at the number of people who use "got" when they should say "have." Thank you. MR. J.W.

ANDERSON, LEVITTOWN, PA. P.S. Remember, Abby, "Got has got to go!" Dear Mr. Anderson: It has been nearly 10 years since these rules of basic grammar appeared in my column and we can all use this refresher course. Read on: Dear Readers: A while back, I wrote a column on the misuse of words and other irritants and named a few.

I then asked readers to send their pet peeves concerning common mistakes in grammar and pronunciation. How's this for a collection? The "lie" and "lay" confusion: To "lay" means to set or put; to "lie" means to recline. Remember, chickens lay eggs. People lie down. The use of "all are not" when the person means "not all are." Example: Saying, "All women are not beautiful," when one PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE D.W of Bloomington is in charge of helping women prepare to enter the work force for the first time, and is hoping someone can donate some proper professional clothing in sizes 10 through 28.

Good Neighbors: I have six jacket-dresses and many blouses, size 16 and 18, all very lovely, for D.W. A Pantagraph Subscriber, (309) 726-1625. Good Neighbors: I can help out with the request for professional clothing for women preparing to enter the work force. A.P. of Normal, (309) 454-7623.

CATCHING UP Good Neighbors: For the Neighbor asking about tub re-finishing: I will share my experiences with a recent bathroom remodeling project which included granitizing of my tub. Chris W. of Normal, (309) 454-4663. Good Neighbors: For the reader seeking an album for storing the state quarters: If you will send name and address I will mail a company name and address and a flier about ordering a catalog for $3 or less and no postage or handling. It PeaceMeal hearing "Feb-yoo-ary." We frequently hear that a man has "prostrate" trouble, when actually he has "prostate" trouble.

Another error using the word "myself" instead of "me." Example: "If you have any questions, see Bobby or myself after the meeting." "See Bobby or me" is correct. The "infer" and "imply" mix-up: The writer the reader "infers." (It's like pitching and catching.) Please do not say "0" instead of "zero." Or use the word "that" when "who" is correct. refers to inanimate objects, "who" to people.) Now, lend me your ear: Don't use "loan" as a verb, as in, "Loan me a 20." It should be, "Lend me a 20." "Loan" is a noun; "lend" is a verb. Finally, the misuse of the word Some say "ax" instead of "ask." I would much rather be "asked" than "axed." Wouldn't you? Dear Abby is written by Pauline Phillips and daughter, Jeanne Phillips. Write to Abby in care of The Pantagraph, 301 W.

Washington Bloomington, IL 61702-2907. slide projector with round slide containers. If someone has these parts, I would be so grateful. Also, I'm hopeful of finding what I would call a glider swing. When I was a kid about 75 years ago, my parents had a glider swing that had a bench on each side of a swinging platform and you could swing back and forth by pushing on the platform with your feet.

Any help would be appreciated. J.M. of Bloomington. Glue removal: I need some help getting a glued-on piece of linoleum off a table top. It's the old black-tar type and I need to know what to use to get it off.

Help! A Good Neighbor Fan. Wicker Rattan Sunroom Furniture One of the Largest Selections in Illinois Allow Plenty of Time to Browse East on Hwy. 6, Peru 10-5 Sun. 12-4 815-224-3690 find out how to Reduce them. April 11'" 6 p.m.-? The Peace Meal Nutrition Program offers a noon meal Monday through Friday for people age 60 and older at various McLean County and De-Witt County locations.

Menus for Monday through April 19 are: Monday ham and beans, copper carrots, corn bread, sliced pears. Tuesday barbecue beef, tri-tators, cooked cabbage, baked apple. Wednesday chicken cutlet, baked onions, seasoned green beans, rice pudding. Thursday roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn, peach caramel bat crisp. Friday salmon loaf, scalloped potatoes, peas, pumpkin raisin The meals also can be home delivered.

has an oven glass this size. Thank you. B.B. of Dewitt. Moving boxes: We have moving boxes to give away.

We are also remodeling, so we have two bathroom vanities and marble tops to give away. K.T. of El Paso. French's: I'm looking for a place to purchase French's spices and cannot locate them anymore. I am especially interested in the pumpkin pie spice.

Can a reader help me with this? G.V. of Lincoln. Roll-away: I'm looking for a roll-away bed if someone has one to give away. I can pick it up. WD.

of Bloomington. Appliances A granddaughter with three small children is moving to a bigger apartment and needs a refrigerator, electric stove and washer and dryer. Any items readers may have to give away can be picked up. Jamie. Mirror: I have a very nice mirror from a dresser to give away It is light yellow trimmed in gold.

Also, I have 30 or 40 issues of Love Story and True Story magazines I'd like to give someone who enjoys that type of reading. WW of LeRoy. Slide projector: I have lost or misplaced the removable lens and remote control cable for an older Kodak Ectagraphic III2 SeniorClipboard Women's Greatest Fears is Starcrest of California. Hope this helps. Mrs.

R.R. of Farmer City, (309) 928-9891. Good Neighbors: For WS. of Saybrook: We would appreciate having your scrap material, cotton curtains and blue jeans. We have all wood floors in our house and would like to make a rug so our 8-month-old can get down and play.

Thank you. J.B., (309) 723-5437. Good Neighbors: For the reader searching for Tom Thumb lettuce: It is in the Thompson Morgan catalog, P.O. Box 1308, Jackson, N.J. 08527-0308.

Toll free phone number is 1-800-274-7333. Item number is 467. 1 called because my catalog was from 2001, but they said it should still be available. A Neighbor in Normal. NEW QUESTIONS IBM typewriter: My IBM Selective typewriter has "bitten the dust." I need a replacement in working order as I am left stranded.

Can someone help? R.F. of Lexington. Oven glass: I need a piece of tempered glass from an oven door that is 28V2 inches by 18 inches to replace the one in my oven door. Perhaps someone has a non-working stove that Get a FREE order of McDonald's rench fries with every private party classified ad you place! Toro Associated Press The U.S. Postal Service stamp features carnivorous plants.

a wasp in its mouth. This plant is native to the West Coast and is sometimes called the cobra plant. For further information on the carnivorous plant set, call (800)-STAMP-24 or visit the Postal Store at www.usps.com. Reservations for the meals must be made by noon one day in advance by calling the number listed with the meal site as follows: Miller Park Pavilion, 434-2255; Normal Activity Center, 888-9099; Western Avenue Community Center, 829-4807; Wood Hill Towers, 829-3360; Chenoa Senior Citizens' Center, (815) 945-5701; Danvers Fire Department meeting room, (309) 963-3958; LeRoy Community Center, (309) 962-9900; Lexington Community Building, (309) 365-8047; Cheney's Grove Township Building, Saybrook, (309) 475-6121; DeWitt County Friendship Center, Clinton, (217)935-9411; Weldon Community Building, Weldon, (217) 736-2322; and Santa Anna Township Hall, Farmer City, (309) 928-3321. "Peter and the show and transportation, van leaves The Oasis Senior Center at 6 p.m.

with return at 10 p.m.; reservations required. Also, loomers needed for rug and table mat craft group which meets 9 a.m. to noon each Friday to cut, sew and loom; skills for participation will be taught; call The Oasis, (217) 732-6132 for information. Towanda Senior Citizens potluck, noon Wednesday at Towanda Community Building; program will be a time of fellowship; Jean Miller and Rose Remschner, hostesses. ZRT offers easy under deck access Ground speed of up to 10 mph m.

i mm sm PANTAGRAPH CLASSIFIEDS TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD CALL 829-941 1 OR (800) 747-7323, EXT. 357 CENTRAL ILLINOIS Heyworth Young At Heart potluck, noon Wednesday at Heyworth Christian Church; program by Shelley Hunt, director of Bick-ford House, retirement facility. Lincoln Logan County Senior Citizens 1:30 p.m. Monday; birthday party for those with April birthdays; games, prizes dessert, sponsored by ASTA Health Care; guests welcome. Also, van trip to Sangamon Auditorium on April 19 to see Let us help you Thursday, It's Classi-Fries! Informational evening Featuring the benefit of Synergic The Cellulite Solution Lose Inches and Dimples Microdermabrasion Reduce wrinkles Age Spots Join us for Live Demonstrations Testimonials Evergreen Place RESIDENTIAL ASSISTED LIVING Offering you peace of mind 801 Gregory Street Normal, IL 61761 Phone (309)451-9355 www.EvergreenPlaceAssistedLiving.com 1 (That's right, babyA classyyfl I II 1 Contours Day Spa Owner Candy Oneof Call today i to reserve your space! Offer valid on in-column, private party paid advertisements only.

Not valid for employment advertisements or Freebie ads. See coupon for details. Bloomington-NormalMcLean McDonald's only. Offer expires 103102. Some restrictions may apply.

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