Verbs

“Scull” vs. “Skull”

Misspellings, Nouns, Verbs, Versus

I saw the first word repeatedly while watching telecasts of the 2008 Olympics.

Problem:
Because these two words are homophones, context is required to distinguish them in speech.

Explanation:
A “scull” — spelled S-C-U-L-L — as a noun is an oar, often with a cupped blade, and often mounted on a fulcrum at a small boat’s stern.

It is this S-C word that repeatedly was spoken and displayed in the TV coverage of the 2008 Olympics.

A “skull” — spelled S-K-U-L-L — as a noun is the bones that make up the head of an animal.

Each of these words can also be used as a verb.

The word “scull” — spelled with a “c” — as a verb means to propel by means of one or more sculls.

The word “skull” — spelled with a “k” — as a verb means to strike a blow to the head.

Although some lexicographers believe that both words come from the French word “escuelle”, which means dish, many others believe that “scull” — with a “c” — comes from the Middle English word “sculle” and that “skull” — with a “k” — comes from the Old Norse word “skalli”, which means bald head and also is spelled with a “k”.

Solution:
Think “rowing oar” when you see “scull” with a “c” or when the spoken context implies a reference to rowing. Think “head” when you see “skull” with a “k” or when the spoken context implies a reference to the head.

“Simular” vs. “Similar”

Adjectives, Mispronunciations, Misspellings, Verbs, Versus

My wife heard the first word used several times yesterday as a synonym of the second word, and I once worked for someone who regularly made the same mistake.

Problem:
These two words are not synonyms.

Explanation:
The word “simular” — spelled S-I-M-U-L-A-R — dates back to the early 1500s.

The meaning of “simular” as a noun is pretender. The primary meaning of “simular” as an adjective is simulated or counterfeit.

A valid example of the use of “simular” as an adjective would be “Pleather is simular leather.”

The word “similar” — spelled S-I-M-I-L-A-R — dates back to the early 1600s, is only an adjective, and primarily means having a resemblance or likeness.

A valid example of the use of “similar” as an adjective would be “The two automobiles in the parking lot were so similar that John tried to unlock the wrong one.”

I believe that some people mispronounce and/or misspell the adjective “similar” — spelled S-I-M-I-L-A-R — as “simular” — spelled S-I-M-U-L-A-R — because of interference from the verb “simulate”, which does have the vowel “u” in the middle of it.

I doubt that most users of “simular” — with a “u” in the middle — know its true meaning.

Solution:
Use the adjective “simular” when referring to something that is false or simulated or counterfeit. Use the adjective “similar” when referring to a likeness or resemblance.

“return back”

Adverbs, Common English Blunders, Self-negation, Verbs

I heard this on television yesterday.

Problem:
The adverb “back” in “return back” is redundant.

Explanation:
The verb “return” means to go back, so the meaning of “return back” would be to go back back.

Because the “re” in “return” means back, one could argue that someone who “returns back” would never reach the intended destination.

For fun, I searched Google for the expression “return back” (with the quotation marks) and got about 2,490,000 matches. This is depressing.

Solution:
“return”