Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Today's English lesson

From Common Errors in English:


Just a little pique-me-up


It is tempting to think that your attention might be aroused to a high point by "peaking" your curiosity; but in fact, "pique" is a French word meaning "prick," in the sense of "stimulate." The expression has nothing to do with "peek," either. Therefore the expression is "my curiosity was piqued."

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