A phrase from work regulations

Dear Dr English,

I found the following sentence in the regulations for work of the company I am working for. What does Òfor causeÓ in the following sentence mean? Is it an idiom?
ÒAn employee may be dismissed by COMPANY for cause without severance or service pay in the following circumstances.Ó

Sho Naruse

It is not an idiom, only a word used in a legal context. The word ÒcauseÓ in this sentence means ÒreasonÓ. The sentence means, Òif there is a reason an employee may be dismissed, the company will not pay severance or service pay in the following circumstances.Ó

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Runway item

Dear Dr English,

Recently, I read a magazine that advertised some luxurious items. I noticed a caption ÒRunway ItemÓ under a picture. What does it mean? Thank you

Therin Supanimitkun

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ÒrunwayÓ as: a platform along which models walk in a fashion show.
While I personally have never heard the expression Òrunway itemÓ, it appears to mean an item from or for a fashion show.

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Umpire and referee

Dear Dr English,
Can you explain the difference between ÒumpireÓ and ÒrefereeÓ?
Thanks a lot.

Chalita Wongsirikul

Both referee and umpire refer to a person that is present at a sports competition in order to supervise that the rules of the game are strictly followed. The person also has to make judgments, if particular actions are acceptable. The point that creates confusion is that this person is called a referee in some games and an umpire in others. Unfortunately, I am not a sports fanatic, but as far as I know, we call him umpire in baseball, cricket and tennis.

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Plagiarism

Dear Dr English,
I found the word ÒplagiarismÓ in an article on a website. Could you please explain and also give some examples of plagiarism?

Charnwit Kaewkong

Plagiarism comes from the verb to plagiarise meaning to take somebody elseÕs ideas, words, academic work etc. and use them as if they were oneÕs own. Plagisrism is the action of plagiarising. For example: Two graduate students were accused of plagiarism. Or, Many books on this topic are the work of plagiarism. The professor rejected SittaÕs thesis because she plagiarised it.

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