Know your English

WHAT IS the meaning and origin of the expression ``Hobson's choice''?

(S. Balasubrahmanian, Chennai)

Thomas Hobson (1544-1631) owned a stable in Cambridge, England. He used to rent horses to people who required them. Hobson was a very methodical man. He insisted that all his horses be exercised in regular rotation. When he rented a horse to someone, he made sure that the same horse wasn't rented out again before the others had done their job. When a horse that had been rented was returned to him, it was placed at the back of the line. This was Hobson's way of ensuring that all horses did an equal amount of work. The horse that was next in line to be rented out was placed near the stable door. When a customer came to hire a horse, he was asked to take the horse nearest the stable door. If the customer was not satisfied with the horse and wanted another one, he was told that he could either take the horse that had been offered to him or none at all. In other words, the person who wanted to rent a horse had no choice at all. And that's what the expression, ``Hobson's choice'' means, no choice at all. You can take what you are offered or nothing at all. ``Take it or leave it'', was Hobson's policy. Here are a few examples:

* Venkatesh didn't really want to stay in that particular hotel, but it was a case of Hobson's choice. All the other hotels were full.

* If you want a cream coloured shirt, I am afraid it's Hobson's choice. We have only one at the moment.

* It's Hobson's choice because if I don't agree to do what my boss wants, I'll definitely lose my job.

Is it O.K. to say, ``I, along with them, am going to school''?

(S. Balaji, Parangi Pettai, T.N.)

The usual rule is when phrases/clauses are introduced by constructions like ``as well as'', ``along with''or ``in addition to'', the verb that follows is determined by the noun that precedes these constructions. If the noun that precedes them is singular, then the verb is singular too. In other words, such constructions do not function like ``and''. Here are a few examples:

Murali, as well as his three sisters, is studying at Geethanjali. (Murali is studying at Geethanjali).

The children, in addition to their father, are watching the movie. (The children are watching the movie).

Jacob, along with his children, is going to Goa. (Jacob is going to Goa).

So, it is O.K. to say, ``I, along with my brothers, am going to school''.

What is the meaning of ``body language''?

(A. Umar, Kadayanallur, T.N.)

Did our cricket players in Australia look happy? They looked a pretty dejected lot, didn't they? How did you know they were dejected? The shoulders drooped, they walked rather slowly, there was no smile on their faces....You get the point, don't you? That's what body language is. It's a way of showing your emotions or feelings to other people through your body.

Is it O.K. to qualify the word ``integrity'' with words like ``highest''?

(P. Unnikrishnan, Udyogamandal)

Yes, it is. Here are some examples from dictionaries.

* My husband was a man of the highest integrity. (Collins Cobuild).

* He was a man of absolute integrity, with the highest moral standards. (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English)

The following people have suggested that the opposite of ``henpecked'' should be ``cockpecked'': K. C. Ramdas, Secunderabad; Mrs. G. Vasudevan, Chennai; M. Ratnasabhapathi, Madurai; T. R. Gopalakrishna, Chennai; P. C. Mohanachandran, Chennai.

``I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have is that I didn't study my Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people.'' - Dan Quayle, former U.S. Vice President.

S. UPENDRAN

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