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Grammar Police Monday - Get Your Ducks In A Row

Duck tape vs Duct tape
Duck tape is a common misspelling of duct tape. (Of course, the fact there is a brand of duct tape called Duck Tape with a little ducky on the label doesn't help. LOL)


 
Jutebox vs Jukebox
Jutebox is a common misspelling of jukebox--a coin-operated, music-playing device.


Cowtow vs Kowtow
Cowtow is a misspelling of the Chinese word kowtow, which means to touch one's forehead to the ground when kneeling; to show deference or servitude. (People probably assume it's spelled with a 'c' because the verb cow means to threaten or bully, and cowed means intimidated.)

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That's all for today.
Thanks for visiting. :)


Comments

  1. The little ducky put an instant smile on my face. Thanks for the reminder. Funny how words get twisted around like that.

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  2. yep, for a long time as a kid, I thought it was duck tape and wondered why they called it that, lol.

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  3. When I was young I used to spell wheelbarrow wheelbarrel. I mean, it's like a barrel on wheels, right? ;)

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  4. Amazing how simple mistakes get carried forward all the time.

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  5. I'm relieved to discover I don't make any of these mistakes :)

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  6. Good to know! And in these parts, duct tape is the answer to everything.

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    1. Yup. Duct tape can fix just about anything. :P

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  7. Duct tape isn't as popular here. At least we don't use it as much. There is too much humidity and the tape stays sticky and wet and slides around too much. At least on some things.

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  8. It's not duck tape??? Haha :) Kidding :)

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  9. Have you seen the patterned duct tape? They make all kinds now, but I still prefer the basic silver.

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  10. Duck tape is one of my pet peeves. But I have to confess I have been guilty of using cowtow! :D

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    1. If I hadn't done the research for this lesson, I probably would, too. I'd never seen the word written before.

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  11. Fun post!

    Speaking of duct tape: my daughter made me a duct tape dress for a conference that had an evening activity with an alien theme. I know it's "duct," but "duck" almost makes sense since it's kind of water repellant. :)

    Nice blog! Congrats on now being a published author!

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  12. I was once kowtowed into submission by a duct tape wielding duck who waddled next to the jukebox where I stood, selling illegal boxes of fresh orange jute to some drunken Oirishmen.

    PS...I *love* the idea of quarterly cleaning of pantry and freezer - great meals *can* be had through love and soon-to-expire ingredients :)

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  13. I don't think I'll have to worry about using "jutebox". This is the first time I've heard of the word jute :)

    Stuff like cowtow and kowtow is why I say we get rid of the letter C. I never knew that it came from Chinese. It's not Latin or Greek! My head is imploding!

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  14. I love these little tidbits of commonly misused words! Can I make a suggestion for a misused word that I find all the time?
    Okay, I will then: ;)
    Barbecue/barbeque. The first spelling is correct, but I'm seeing barbeque everywhere nowadays! Drives me nuts, and now I'm told the spelling is evolving into barbeque!
    How about a post about words that are accepted in two spellings, if there even is such a thing?
    Anyway, enough ranting from me. Keep these coming. :)

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  15. And the Duck Tape folks wouldn't like for writers to use their brand without the caps :)

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  16. I've been out of the loop for a while and I'm sure glad to read Grammar Police once again :)

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  17. Another great post :) Now the word kowtow has got me singing Brush Up Your Shakespeare...

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah, With Joy)

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