Tuesday, August 12, 2008

"Stanch" and "Staunch"

Levels of Distractibility: Who cares? = *. Some people will be distracted from your meaning: = **. Many people will be distracted from your meaning: = ***.

Question: What are some confusing words that not too many people know about?

Answer: "Stanch" and "staunch" for starters. "Stanch means to stop the flow of something, usually blood. "Staunch" means firm and resolute, as in "He was a staunch defender of the Faith."

Rating of Distractibility (**). Many people know these words and rarely confuse them, probably because their meanings are so different. Confusing them would be a real "laugher."

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