How can I look it up

when I don't know how to spell it? That has been a cry from many over the years. How many times have our parents and teachers told us to look up words in the dictionary that we don't know how to spell. So how do you look up pneumonia as a child if you have no clue it begins with P. lol Even know is a problem.

Well, l need to be a bit more careful with my research. Sometimes I just make assumptions on things and don't think twice that research is needed. lol Today I was reminded, and was pleased to have been so, that I needed to look up a few things--militia and fireworks. lol My assumptions certainly proved wrong, except in my defense I will say I watched Regency House and the rich young men were the ones that set off the fireworks because they were curious as men are and wishing to display their hidden talents, as men do. But I must admit I took that little scene too far in my head. I am grateful for the advice.

Now about knowing when something is wrong. There are a few other types of issues that cause some havoc with writing and speaking and singing.

for instance, stratergery is word that is commonly attached to Pres. Bush. Well, he did not say the word, the spoof some Saturday Night Live comedian said and it kinda stuck to Pres. Bush. Of course he says lots of things that are called malapropisms -- any sentence in which one word has been used incorrectly in place of another. Sometimes people just make up a word (which is often my case.)

Some bushisms I found funny:
It will take time to restore chaos and order.
We are making steadfast progress.

I am sure when he said this he did not realize the words coming out of his mouth were the wrong ones. I have a habit of combining cliches together: Don't spill the cat out of the bag. Water over the bridge. etc. I have a hard time getting any cliche like that correct.

And then there are time when you sing the words to a song and they are absolutely wrong:

"There's a bathroom on the right." - my words exactly as I sang along
"There's a bad moon on the rise." - correct words.
Bad Moon Rising, Creedence Clearwater

Of course, no one is suppose to know the words to Louie, Louie. The musicians just slurred some words that even they don't remember from their drunken jam fest. lol

Until I did research on word choices and ran across a list of common errors in hearing song words, I believed I was correct that there was a bathroom on the right.

So knowing when to do research is not always easy to, well, know. Thank goodness for beta's!

till tomorrow, I am off to research every word in my story. lol Well, not every word.

gayle