The Color Taste of Water Water usually doesn’t have a taste, and people don’t object to that. Ditto for celery. So why is calling something — like a comment, a work of art, or an article of clothing — “tasteless” a dis? “Taste-Free” vs. “Tasteless” Clearly, what the speaker intends to say is, “in bad taste.”...Read More
Sunrise, Sunset Realtors (and real estate photographers) call it “the magic hour”: the 30 minutes or so after sunset (or before sunrise) when the sky is a softer, darker shade of blue, there are no shadows or reflections, and the illuminated home in the foreground looks the most dramatic. Thanks to Jenny Terrell of Spacecrafting...Read More
Hard Worker . . . or Swindler? Calling someone a “gem” or a “sweetheart” is clearly a compliment. Meanwhile, the terms “thug” and “jerk” are clearly a dis. But, what does the speaker mean when they call someone a “hustler?” — as in, “That Bob, he’s a real hustler!” (note: “Mary” and “she” works just as well)....Read More
“You’ll Love the Office . . Exercise Room . . . Spare Bedroom . . . Bonus Room!” I just showed clients an Edina home with what looked to be an Amusement Room. A very underwhelming Amusement Room. The room was hard to access (down a half flight of steps at the end of a hall); had a vaulted ceiling...Read More
Difference With a Distinction My hunch is that most people (including Realtors) don’t know the difference between “bay” and “bow” windows — and therefore use the terms interchangeably. For the record, “bow” windows are curved (like the bow in “bow and arrow”). By contrast, “bay” windows have a series of (obtuse) angles (that is, between...Read More
< + Δ [Editor’s Note: Nothing in this post or on this blog should be construed as offering legal counsel. If you require legal advice, please consult an attorney.] If you want to skip my post, “Counteroffer vs. Amendment vs. Addendum” and cut to the chase, here it is, in three easy symbols:...Read More
