July 22, 2007

solecism

DEFINITION: (noun) A socially awkward or tactless act. SYNONYMS: faux pas, gaffe, slip, gaucherie. USAGE: She smiled again, turned, and walked away, leaving George to reckon up all the social solecisms he had contrived to commit in the space of a single moment.

Vitamin C Does Not Block the Common Cold

A recent review of the data collected in 30 studies of Vitamin C indicates that the supplement does not provide any significant benefit to the general population. If one is under considerable physical stress, such as such as exercising extensively or living in an extremely cold environment, 200mg of Vitamin C can cut cold risk by up to 50%. Otherwise, results show that daily dosage does little to reduce either the length or severity of the common cold.

Chinatown

A Chinatown is a section of an urban area outside of China that is associated with a large number of Chinese residents or commercial activities. These are most common in Southeast Asia and North America. Today, some Chinatowns are focused on commercial tourism while others are actual living and working communities; some are a synthesis of both. Many Chinatowns have beautifully crafted paifang, large red arched entrance structures. Who traditionally financed paifang construction?