Leonard Stein, one of the original founders of Mad-libs, said that the iconic ad-lib inspiration notepad was directly linked to his inability to spell “hyperbole” in a seventh-grade spelling bee. Humiliated and embarrassed beyond words, he ran home to take refuge in the family dictionary, determined to learn the correct spelling and exact meaning of as many words as humanly possible.
Words are important; they are the most valuable tools in spoken language.
Misuse of these words can backfire on the deliverer in monumental ways.
My biggest peeve is the exchange of moot versus mute in conversation. For the record, a moot point can be either an issue open for debate or a matter of no practical value or importance because it’s hypothetical. The word mute means “silent; refraining from speech or utterance,” and the pairing mute point has no canonized meaning in standard English.
Following is a quiz. Take it and see how you score. I scored perfectly because I have the best words.
http://www.playbuzz.com/toddbv10/can-you-correctly-use-these-commonly-misused-words#eightieth4
