The Golden 80s

Machine Languages -The language of the CPU (The central processing unit of the computer, which does the "thinking"). The lowest level language, this is composed of 0's and 1's. Assembly Languages -Abbreviations for machine language High-Level Languages -Use program statements, words and algebra-type expressions. Developed in the 50's and 60's. After a program is written in one of the high-level languages, it must be either compiled or interpreted. A compiler program rewrites the program into language that the CPU can understand. A compiled program is generally considerably larger than the original. An interpreter program translates the program statements into machine language one line at a time when the program runs. An interpreted program will be smaller than a compiled one, but will take longer to execute. Fourth Generation Language (4GL)-Very high-level language. These are results oriented and include database query languages. There are fewer options for ...

This list does not explain common idioms. Face the axe An axe to grind Achilles heel Apple of somebody’s eye – A person or thing that is loved more than others. Apple-pie (order) To make amends Up in arms – Ready to fight Back to back – In succession On the back burner Bad blood between (A) and (B) Blood and thunder – Violent and melodramatic acting in films… Blood, sweat and tears – Extremely hard work Draw blood Bank on something/somebody – Rely on Bear the brunt of – Bear fruit – to bring out a result, usually a successful one Bear on sb/something- Beat Tighten one’s belt 20. Tighten up on sth-to become more careful or strict 21. Walk a tightrope – 22. Blow one’s own trumpet – 23. To break the ice – 24. To bury the hatchet 25. To build castles in the air – 26. To take the bull by the horns – 27. Burn one’s fingers - 28. Cheek by jowl 29. Cock-and-bull story 30. To shed crocodile tears 31. To cry wolf 32. Cut short 33. Cut out for 34. Daggers drawn – Strained relations 35. Dead lette...

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Today, I had an interesting discussion with my colleague about the use of comma to separate adjectives. Finally, we decided to search the Internet for answers. This is what we got: ""When a noun is preceded by two or more adjectives that could, without affecting the meaning, be joined by and, the adjectives are normally separated by commas. But if the noun and the adjective immediately preceding it are conceived as a unit, such as little girl,' 'political science,' or 'glass ceiling,' no comma should be used." (The Chicago Manual of Style). That settled everything.

The term "specific absorption rate" is not from Physics or Chemistry. FCC defines it as the "amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone." Got it? CNET has reviewed the SARs of all the leading mobile phone manufacturers and has presented a list of top 10 phones with the least SARs. Check it out.

Should the first letter after a colon be capitalized or not? Is it an American usage or British usage? LanguageLog replies to the accusation that the American usage is wrong by quoting examples.