I took this picture of my niece Isabel months ago, but I thought it was perfect for this week's Writing Wednesday post.
Since I buy quite a few of my accessories and clothes online from daily deal sites, I've been seeing a trend lately that really steams my clams (can you name that movie?): the misuse of the words flair and flare.
I think people often confuse the words because flare can be a noun, adjective and a verb. Here are some examples:
- Lindsay's temper flared when she saw her new blanket trampled on the floor.
- Flare jeans flatter very few figures.
- The survivors shot off an emergency flare when they saw a plane overhead.
Flair, on the other hand, is used to describe an aptitude for something or a remarkable style. It can also refer to the metal buttons you pin on your backpack (or vest, if you're living in 1998). Here are some examples of using flair properly:
- You certainly have a flair for the dramatic.
- Wanda dresses with flair and pizzazz.
- Isabel has a flair all her own — especially in a flared princess dress.
Do you see these words misused? How do you remember the difference?
What about bootcut jeans? Do they flatter? Or is it boot cut. I guess they are uncool, since I couldn't find one pair on the Levi's site. Ha Ha.
ReplyDeleteHer flare gun had a lot of flair as it was covered in flairiful daisies.
ReplyDeleteOkay, flairiful isn't a word, bu you get what I mean.
i had no idea that people misused those, but nothing surprises me when it comes to grammar/spelling/usage. On a friend's IG, she reposted a pic where the guy's caption was "running aarons." AARONS!!!
ReplyDeleteI think that in our society today, we're so focused on getting words out quickly that shortening them and using acronyms and misspelling things has become a norm. People tend not appreciate grammar for the refined art it has become (when it used to be a daily norm). Whats the wurld comin' too?
ReplyDelete: signe : the daily savant :
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I just know the difference automatically so I never really have to remember. I haven't seen flare/flair misused but it wouldn't surprise me. Fashion blogs and websites seem to be notorious for abusing grammar.
ReplyDelete*abusing spelling and grammar.
DeleteYour niece is beautiful, Lindsay. What a nice outfit she had :) xx
ReplyDelete