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  1. What does "xxi" mean? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Aug 6, 2015 · The " XXI " in capitals mean 21 in Roman numerals, but I don't think the lower-case letters " xxi " here also refer to 21. It seems that the sentence is well understood if the "xxi" is removed. …

  2. Origin of "s--t-eating grin" - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    Jun 9, 2011 · In Book XXI of his History of Rome, Livy describes a Carthaginian sect of coprophages, the risus faecivorus, or shit-eating grin, being commonly displayed by its adherents. Although, its …

  3. What does 'turn of the century' mean? - English Language & Usage …

    May 18, 2019 · I suspect it was a term coined sometime during the 20th century to mean the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. As someone born mid-twentieth, it seems always to have been around. …

  4. punctuation - What is the abbreviation for 'century'? - English ...

    Dec 5, 2013 · 0 I was taught XXI or 21c. for twenty first century. The most important part being that the reader understands the writers intention.

  5. Adjective that means ‘having agency’ - English Language & Usage ...

    Oct 6, 2022 · False Philol. 60 To obtain an agential substantive complementing the verb photograph. 2003 L. K. Graham in J. N. Poling & C. C. Neuger Men's Work in Preventing Violence against …

  6. "By the way" in formal writing - English Language & Usage Stack …

    Oct 20, 2012 · Can I say "By the way" in an official document or professional meeting and other important/formal times? I never saw any film which would include these words.

  7. 'Coffee': American English pronunciation

    Jul 31, 2025 · The preface to LPD (3rd ed., p.xxi) says: There is considerable variability in GenAm vowels in the open back area. LPD follows tradition in continuing to distinguish the vowel of lot lɑːt …

  8. Is it natural to say "Ok, I will"? - English Language & Usage Stack ...

    Aug 31, 2015 · To me it seems perfectly fine, but I heard from a native speaker that it does not sound natural. For example: — Will you please send the assets by tomorrow? — Ok I will. Does this sound …

  9. What part of speech is 'really' when it is spoken in a sentence on its ...

    Jun 2, 2024 · The word 'really' can be spoken in two ways, in a sentence on its own. Either in enthusiastic, and appreciative belief : You can run a hundred meters in 13 seconds. Really ? Or in …

  10. meaning - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange

    The word pussy is often used to mean "coward". This guy is a pussy. and I am wondering why. How are woman's genitals related to being a "coward"?