What do we call them?

Dear Dr English,

What do you call in English a person who reads peopleÕs hand writing in order to find out their personalities and the fortune teller who can tell peopleÕs personalities from their face?

Somtawin Tungmunpanich

A person who tells peopleÕs personalities by examining their hand writing is called a graphologist. This science is called graphology. A physiognomist is one who tells peopleÕs characters by examining their facial features; and this science is called physiognomy.

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Whitewash

Dear Dr English,

What does it mean when someone says that something is a white wash? Please give some examples, too.

Sutaree Sunthornwaja

Originally, whitewash is a mixture of lime, chalk and water used for painting walls white to cover dirt or wear.
The word was taken to reflect the action of someone who tries to cover up their wrongdoing or hide unpleasant facts or truths.
The ousted prime minister has paid an overseas firm to whitewash the scandal in his Cabinet.
A series of television reports on the success of the operation was obviously a whitewash.

In the United Kingdom people call a defeat in a game in which the loser scores no points a whitewash.
How did yesterdayÕs match end? It was a 4-0 whitewash.

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/liv/ or /laiv/

Dear Dr English

May I ask a question which could sound like a silly question? We see the message ÒLONG LIVE THE KINGÓ everywhere; I just wonder how I should pronounce ÒLIVEÓ. Should I read Ò/liv/Ó or Ò/ laivz/Ó? Because if I read / laiv/, why do we use plural form? But if we read /livz/, why can we use ÒlongÓ (which is adj.) in front of verb? It will be greatly appreciated if you can explain.
Thank you

Viritpon Srimaneepong

A question that expands oneÕs knowledge is never a silly question. I am certain there are many people out there who have the same question as you do but havenÕt had a chance to ask yet.
If you take out the word ÒLongÓ and look at the structure ÒLive the KingÓ, you will see that this structure is imperative. The structure requires an infinitive without ÒtoÓ; verb form + object; as in Òtake a seatÓ, Òlook at this pictureÓ, or Òstep forwardÓ etc. This is why it is ÒliveÓ and not ÒlivesÓ and thus pronounced Ò/liv/Ó. The word ÒlongÓ here modifies the verb ÒliveÓ so it is an adverb; but either as an adjective or adverb it is spelt the same.
HowÕs that?

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