meant)

Request (meaning ask) Used only in the third person
in formal written invitations.

Will you accord me permission? Will you let me? or May I?

Permit me to assist you Let me help you

Brainy Brilliant or clever

I presume I suppose

Tendered him a banquet Gave him a dinner

Converse Talk

Partook of liquid refreshment Had something to drink

Perform ablutions Wash

A song entitled Called (proper if used in
legal sense)

I will ascertain I will find out

Residence or mansion House, or big house

In the home In some one's house or At
home

Phone, photo, auto Telephone, photograph,
automobile

"Tintinnabulary summons," meaning bell, and "Bovine continuation," meaning
cow's tail, are more amusing than offensive, but they illustrate the
theory of bad style that is pretentious.

As examples of the very worst offenses that can be committed, the
following are offered:

"Pray, accept my thanks for the flattering ovation you have tendered me."

"Yes," says the preposterous bride, "I am the recipient of many admired
and highly prized gifts."

"Will you permit me to recall myself to you?"

Speaking of bridesmaids as "pretty servitors," "dispensing hospitality,"
asking any one to "step this way."

Many other expressions are provincial and one who seeks purity of speech
should, if possible, avoid them, but as "offenses" they are minor:

Reckon, guess, calculate, or figure, meaning think.

Allow, meaning agree.

Folks, meaning family.

Cute, meaning pretty or winsome.

Well, I declare! 'Pon my word!

Box party, meaning sitting in a box at the theater.

Visiting with, meaning talking to.

There are certain words which have been singled out and misused by the
undiscriminating until their value is destroyed. Long ago "elegant" was
turned from a word denoting the essence of refinement and beauty, into
gaudy trumpery. "Refined" is on the verge. But the pariah of the language
is culture! A word rarely used by those who truly possess it, but so
constantly misused by th