People do form opinions about other people based on how they write and talk. Experience shows that most people are very forgiving about minor peculiarities. Only two manners are not forgiven:

1. Malice
2. Illogic

In every issue of GlossaryPlus we will have a different contest. These contests are worth GlossaryPoints!

First place = five GlossaryPoints.
Second place = four GlossaryPoints.
Third place = three GlossaryPoints.
Tenth place = two GlossaryPoints.
Entering but not placing = one GlossaryPoint.

Twenty GlossaryPoints can be redeemed for one free Glossary.

GlossaryPoints expire after one year. GlossaryPoints are not transferable between email accounts belonging to different people.

THIS ISSUE’S CONTEST
Create as many English words as you can from the letters in the word GLOSSARY. Each letter can only be used once in a word, except “S” which can be used twice. No proper nouns (See The Basic Glossary of Grammar if you are unsure what a “proper noun” is), non-English words, or abbreviations allowed.

Entry deadline is November 15, 2004.

We have some ideas of subjects for our next Glossaries, and have started working on them. We are thinking Punctuation, and Arithmetic. But maybe those aren’t what you want to see! Maybe one of the physical sciences, or some trade, or art form, or hobby is more up your alley.

Remember the criteria we apply:

• basic words
• clear definitions cutting through confusions and opinions
• examples
• a method of actually learning the words with certainty

Q: Should I use “a” or “an” before the words “habitual” and “historic(al) ”?

A: These are about the only words starting with a pronounced “h” you can still get away with using “an” before. Not that long ago, “hotel” was in that group. Eventually, this usage will be generally frowned upon. As it is now, some people feel strongly on both sides of the issue, so no matter which you choose, someone will disagree. Go with what sounds best to you.

In the spirit of The Basic Glossaries, we present to you, the Valued Reader, a word often seen but not well understood. Perhaps the next time you see it, you will think of us and feel warm and fuzzy.

Essential Oil
You see this word used in advertisements for nutritional supplements, lotions, scents, and medicinal preparations. The advertisers know very well that most people think “essential” means “necessary.” Which it does, except in the phrase “essential oil.” “Essential oil” has a specific chemical meaning to differentiate it from other kinds of oil. An “essential oil” comes from a specific plant, evaporates easily, and is characteristic of that plant in odor and some chemical features. “Balsam is the essential oil of the balsam fir.”