Page:A Desk-Book of Errors in English.djvu/196

 quite full." Yet Thomas Hughes, author of "Tom Brown's Schooldays," wrote in a letter concerning an intercollegiate boat-race "quite a number of young Americans." The local colloquialism "quite some" is wholly indefensible.

quite so: An undesirable locution, common in England and to some extent in America, and used to signify assent, which should be avoided. "He jabbers like an idiot." "Quite so, quite so."

quite the lady: A vulgarism for "very ladylike."

  rabbit, rarebit: The correct form of this term is rabbit. A Welsh rabbit is toasted or melted cheese well-seasoned and served on toast. This term, probably of slang origin, is analogous to Munster plums designating Irish potatoes, and Glasgow magistrate, designating a salt herring.

rag. Compare.

raise: As a verb this is often misapplied to the bringing up of human beings. One rears cattle, raises chickens, but brings up children. Rear, meaning "to nurture and train," may also be used of children.

You may raise a fund for rent because the rent has been raised; but in speaking of this it were better to say "has been increased." The colloquial use of raise for an increase in salary should also be avoided. 