talk to; talk with. The first suggests a superior’s advising or reprimanding or even condescending {I want to talk to you about the work you’re doing}. The second suggests a conversation between equals, with equal participation {I want to talk with you about our project}. The distinction is chiefly relevant when the parties have different levels of power, authority, or prestige.
Tallahasseean. So spelled.
tamable. So spelled — not “tameable.”
tangential (= peripheral, incidental) is the standard form. *"Tangental" is a needless variant. Occasionally the word is misspelled *"tangenital," which is something of a malapropism resulting from metathesis — e.g.: “In an effort to ensure at least a tangenital [read ‘tangential’] spot in boxing, Hearns in January will don a new suit of clothes.” W.H. Stickney Jr., “‘Hit Man’ Gets into Promoting,” Houston Chron., 1 Oct. 1995, at 30.
tape-record, v.t. This verb is always hyphenated.
tarlatan /TAHR-luh-tuhn/ (= a fine, stiff cotton fabric) is the standard spelling. *"Tarletan" is a variant.
*Invariably inferior forms.
For information about the Language-Change Index click here.
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Quotation of the Day: “Students often suspect that the length and physical weight of their papers are more important than what they say, yet it is not only in school that papers are graded thus.” Richard A. Lanham, Revising Prose 65 (3d ed. 1992).
