Gimmick or grimace
Dear Dr English,
For several weeks I heard many times a word sounding like "grim-mix". I don't know the correct spelling but it sounded to me like that. I would like to know what it means. Thank you in advance.
Nong Nun
It could be "gimmick" or "grimace". It is difficult to say which word it is since you did not tell me in which context the word was used, but from the way you spell it, "grimace" seems more likely.
When someone feels disgusted, displeased or annoyed, they grimace. It is the way your face twists when you feel annoyed, upset or angry.
The girl made a grimace when she saw the cockroaches racing on the kitchen floor.
Or as a verb:
The girl grimaced with disgust when she saw cockroaches racing on the kitchen floor.
A "gimmick" is an unusual object, action or device that is used to attract attention, such as having a person out at the front wearing a monster costume to draw customers into a petrol station.
We need fancy gimmicks to attract younger buyers.
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Need and want
Dear Dr English,
I would like to know if there is any difference in the meaning when I use the words "need" and "want". Could you please explain the difference? Thank you.
Watcharin Indech
In general, the two words mean to require something. When we want something we have a desire to have it.
Anne wants to have a big family.
"Need" is used when we talk about things that are basic necessities; something we must have because we depend on it in order to live or to stay healthy.
We need a balanced diet to stay healthy.
Need is also used to show that we must have something to get a job done or to solve a problem.
I need a high ladder to change the light bulb.
When somebody says they need to do something, it means they must do it because it is an essential part of a process or development.
We need to fully charge the battery before use.
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