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  1. "Napkin" vs. "tissue" - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Aug 10, 2012 · 1 While the words 'tissue' and 'napkin' aren't exclusive, in that 'tissue' refers to the quality of the paper whereas 'napkin' refers to the purpose, in coloquial conversation a 'tissue' will typically …

  2. Is there a word for the towel on a waiter's arm?

    Feb 3, 2015 · Napkin is the correct term: what about that waiter who carries a napkin draped over one arm? In part, it’s practicality. It’s readily available to mop up any accidental spills or other messes at …

  3. Does the word, ‘napkin’ have a metaphoric or symbolic meaning other ...

    Does the word, “napkin” have any specific metaphoric or symbolic meaning other than “a small square piece of cloth or paper, used while you are eating to protect your clothes or to clean your mouth or …

  4. What is a more professional term for the 'back-of-the-envelope ...

    What is a more professional term for the phrase 'back-of-the-envelope' calculation, used by scientists and such as a word for a very basic, general first calculation?

  5. Is ‘drop by’ formal language? - English Language & Usage Stack …

    Dec 22, 2024 · Today I had a session with my Japanese language partner and she told me this: After buying the present for my father's birthday, we dropped by at the bakery to buy cake. I feel like drop …

  6. punctuation - Standard format for phone numbers? - English Language ...

    Jun 8, 2011 · Unfortunately, I don't know the local/national conventions (for business cards, letterhead, correspondence, scrawling your number on a napkin at a bar, etc.) in any country but the US.

  7. phrase requests - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Aug 28, 2016 · Is there one word (or phrase) to describe all forms of disposable cutlery etc, such as paper cups, paper napkins, paper/plastic spoons and forks, plates, etc. ? I thought of disposable …

  8. What do you call this mechanical device? - English Language & Usage ...

    Feb 17, 2015 · The "Self-Operating Napkin" is activated when soup spoon (A) is raised to mouth, pulling string (B) and thereby jerking ladle (C), which throws cracker (D) past parrot (E). Parrot jumps after …

  9. Should you use "I thought it was" or "I thought it is" when talking ...

    Jun 5, 2020 · I see, I think. You want to know when to use past tense in indirect speech when talking about something that's still true. It's just a construction, like I wish I was when you really mean you …

  10. grammaticality - Is it "a user" or "an user"? - English Language ...

    Feb 24, 2013 · From Amerenglish: "An" goes before all words that begin with vowels: An egg With two exceptions: When "u" makes the same sound as the "y" in you, or "o" makes the same sound as "w" …