HOW TO FOLD EGG YOLKS

Dear Dr English,

I found the word ÒfoldÓ in a cookbook and cannot understand what I am supposed to do when it is mentioned in a recipe; the text is as follows, 'Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually add the sugar, beating well after each addition. Then fold the egg yolks and vanilla essence through...'. Could you please explain the use of the word ÒfoldÓ in this sentence?

Sureerut Wiramitchai

In cooking, to fold or to fold something in means to mix gently and carefully into a mixture and try to keep as much air in the mixture as possible.

Fold in the sifted flour alternately with the remaining caramel liquid.
Yum!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The little matter of an apostrophe

Dear Dr English,

My friends and I were discussing the English language the other day. One raised a question about the usage of an apostrophe before and after an s. I commented that s' could be used with plural nouns ending with an s or with a name ending with an s, such as Òfive minute's walk' or 'Charle's. The other person said I was wrong. An apostrophe after the s was not needed in any context.
Have I been wrong all these years? Would you please clarify?

Napacha Siripanichkorn

Neither you nor your friend is wrong. Allow me to explain: an apostrophe is used in front of an s to show that something belongs to or is related to someone or something else. It is added to a noun or pronoun.

In case of a plural noun and a proper noun ending in an s, only an apostrophe is needed since the particular word already ends in an s. So it is the apostrophe only and not the s that is at the end of a plural noun. Your friendÕs point about the sÕ was correct and you were not completely wrong, only mistaken.

Compare the following sentences;
These are my sister's dresses.
These are my sisters' dresses.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

A phrase from a speech

Dear Dr English,

What does 'last but not leastÓ mean? How and when do we use the phrase properly?
I often heard it in a speech for thanking someone for their dedication or other occasions.

Peerapol Khunprom

The phrase is used when the speaker wants to express that even though the person or thing is the last one to be mentioned, the person or the thing alluded to is rather important.
And last but not least, a toast for mother, our great cook!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Got a question?
If your query is chosen for Ask Dr English, you will receive a Bt1,000 gift voucher.
To claim your price from Nation Educational Services, you must fax a copy of your ID card to (02) 317-2057.