Page:A Desk-Book of Errors in English.djvu/138

 jolly. Compare.

jolly, to: The occupation of a jollier: slang of widespread usage. Compare.

josh: A vulgarism for 'chaff," "hoax," or "banter," which are more refined terms.

journal: From the French, properly means daily. Therefore to speak of a "daily journal" is absurd. Say, rather, "daily paper." Likewise avoid "weekly journal," "monthly journal," "quarterly journal" which mean weekly daily, monthly daily, quarterly daily, and are forms of expression in popular use as examples of violent catachresis. Say, rather, "daily newspaper," "weekly newspaper," "monthly" or "quarterly magazine" or "review," or simply "monthly" or "quarterly."

jump at or to: To embrace eagerly, as an offer or opportunity. In this sense never "jump to," but one may jump to the floor, as from a chair.

just going to. Compare.

  kettle of fish, pretty: A colloquial phrase for "a perplexing state of affairs," or "a muddle," both of which are preferable expressions.

key, quay: Exercise care in the use of these words. A key is that with which something is opened or disclosed; also, a small low-lying island; a quay is a wharf or landing place where ships discharge 