Apr 6, 2011 · Unsecured feels correct but the past tense changes the meaning ever so slightly. Even so, I think it's less incorrect to use "unsecured" than to misuse (insecure) or make up (unsecure) a word. …

Oct 9, 2012 · A similar phrase that first springs to mind is loose cannon, which etymologically has little to do with a cannon's firepower, but more to do with the dangers of a unsecured cannon rolling around …

Jan 6, 2018 · Q&A for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts

Feb 14, 2015 · I was thinking maybe, free to use but I'm not sure. Is there any one-word alternative? Preferably an adjective. For example, some user information is confidential and you need permission …

Jan 29, 2026 · I am wondering if I could say: I would like to have a salad. In a restaurant I heard a girl say to the waiter, ordering a side dish from the menu for herself: I would like salad. My understandi...

Jun 17, 2012 · What is the meaning of the phrase herding the cats? I've found one description on Wikipedia but it is not clear enough.

Nov 9, 2021 · An open lock is what you want. That is what the next character will need if they are to fasten the lock shut later. 'Free' is not in common usage much in American English. Though …

Aug 17, 2010 · I read a sentence containing the word thy, but I cannot find the meaning of that word. Is it older English, or is it still used in contemporary English today?

Sep 20, 2015 · I'm searching for a word representing "Negatively surprising", or "Negatively amused" in an appropriate form. Example: Someone who proclaims he aims to do things in the right way has …

Oct 26, 2018 · An exact Google search for "point of contacts" yields 2 million results, including sites like UNESCO and multiple universities and other academic sites. Is this a legitimate plural form of "point of