Home in on Versus Hone in On
The two sound so similar it’s no surprise they are used almost interchangeably. The correct use is to home in on something, as a pigeon would its home, rather than to hone, which means to sharpen or become more accurate. However, as evidenced by January 16, 2008 Washington Post article—“Researchers Hone in on Cancer Stem Cells for Melanoma”—the alternative form is commonplace.
Nonplussed
Nonplussed means bewildered, confused, or perplexed—not calm, collected, and unperturbed, as most use it in conversation. Used incorrectly so often, its erroneous meaning is making its way into the dictionary. I’m nonplussed as to why we can’t get it right.
Rule of Thumb
This phrase is usually used correctly—most know that it translates to a rough way of measuring something—but it is perceived wrongly. Rumors of its relation to wife beating (a man supposedly couldn’t beat his wife with anything larger than a thumb) have made it a no-no among the feminist circuit. However, this relation has shown to be false. Rule of thumb can rule again.
Literally
I misuse this one all the time in causal speech, as in “I was laughing so hard I was literally peeing my pants.” Since literally means, “actually” or “without exaggeration” it shouldn’t be used in the figurative sense (and luckily, my statement was figurative).
Could Not Care Less
Sometimes clichés are overused to the point of meaninglessness; such is the case for “could care less,” which should be “could not care less.” The first connotes that you care at least a little; the second is a sarcastic way of say you don’t care at all.
Tongue in (or and?) Cheek
The correct use would be immediately apparent if people still stuck their tongues in their cheeks when lying or joking, but since not everyone does, “tongue and cheek” is sometimes heard instead of “tongue in cheek.”
Altercation
I thought this word denoted a physical fight, but it actually means a “noisy, heated angry dispute.”
While the clichés may be mangled and a word’s original meaning lost or transformed, it is also useful to note that dictionaries are not set in stone. Just think of the words that have been added to the dictionary—Homer Simpson’s “D’oh,” “google,” “fanboy,” “bad hair day,” and “boy band.” Dictionaries evolve, just as our language does.
