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of idiom. A more important consideration, perhaps, is that ever often adds a useful air of embracing generality. If I say, “Have you been to Paris?” there is some ambiguity as to what span of time we are considering. If, however, I say, “Have you ever been to Paris?” you cannot doubt that I mean at any time in your life. In short, there may be a case for using ever carefully, even sparingly. To ban it outright is fussy and unidiomatic and can easily lead to unnecessary confusion.

exception proves the rule, the. A widely misunderstood expression. As a moment’s thought should confirm, it isn’t possible for an exception to confirm a rule—but then, that isn’t the sense that was originally intended. Prove here is a “fossil”—that is, a word or phrase that is now generally meaningless except within the confines of certain sayings (hem and haw, rank and file, and to and fro are other fossil expressions). Originally prove meant test (it comes from the Latin probare, “to test”), so “the exception proves the rule” meant—and really still ought to mean—that the exception tests the rule. The original meaning of prove is preserved more clearly in two other expressions: proving ground and the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

exigent, exiguous. The first means urgent and pressing or exacting and demanding; the second means scanty and slender. But both have a number of synonyms that may spare the reader a trip to the dictionary.

exorbitant. Many writers, on both sides of the Atlantic, show a perplexing impulse to put an h into the word, as here: “This is on the argument that they are troubled by exhorbitant interest charges” (Times). Inhexcusable.

expatriate. All too often misspelled, as here: “Kirov and other Russian expatriots . . .” (Daily Mail). Not to be confused with compatriot.

expectorate, spit. The distinction between these two is not, it must be conceded, often a matter of great moment, but still it is worth noting that there is a distinction. To spit means to expel saliva; to expectorate is to dredge up and expel phlegm from the lungs. Expectorate therefore is not just an unnecessary euphemism for spit, it is usually an incorrect one.

expressible. Not -able.

extempore, impromptu. Although both words describe unrehearsed remarks or performances, their meanings are slightly different, in that impromptu can apply only to acts that are improvised at the time of performance, whereas extempore suggests only that the actions were undertaken without the benefit of notes or other formal props. Impromptu, in other words, conveys a greater element of surprise on the part of the speaker or performer.

extraneous. Not exter-.

extrovert. Not extra-.

F

fable, parable, allegory, myth. Fables and parables are both stories intended to have instructional value. They differ in that parables are always concerned with religious or ethical themes, while fables are usually concerned with more practical considerations (and frequently have animals as the characters). An allegory is an extended metaphor—that is, a narrative in which the principal characters represent things that are not explicitly stated. Orwell’s Animal Farm is an allegory. Myths originally were stories designed to explain some belief or phenomenon, usually the exploits of superhuman beings. Today the word can signify any popular misconception or invented story.

facade. “Above the pilasters, on the front facade, is a five-story-high keystone” (Time). Although most dictionaries allow that facade can apply to any side of a building, it normally indicates the front (or face), and thus gives “front facade” a ring of redundancy.

facile is usually defined as easy, smooth, without much effort. But the word should contain at least a suggestion of derision. Facile writing isn’t just easily read or written, it is also lacking in substance or import. Unless a pejorative sense is intended, the use of facile is, to quote Fowler, “ill-judged.”

factious, factitious. Factious applies to factions; it is something that promotes internal bickering or disharmony. Factitious applies