_Opposite_ for _Contrary_. "I hold the opposite opinion." "The
opposite practice."

_Or_ for _Nor_. Probably our most nearly universal solecism. "I cannot
see the sun or the moon." This means that I am unable to see one of
them, though I may see the other. By using nor, I affirm the
invisibility of both, which is what I wanted to do. If a man is not
white or black he may nevertheless be a Negro or a Caucasian; but if
he is not white nor black he belongs to some other race. See
_Neither_.

_Ordinarily_ for _Usually_. Clumsy.

_Ovation_. In ancient Rome an ovation was an inferior triumph accorded
to victors in minor wars or unimportant battle. Its character and
limitations, like those of the triumph, were strictly defined by law
and custom. An enthusiastic demonstration in honor of an American
civilian is nothing like that, and should not be called by its name.

_Over_ for _About_, _In_, or _Concerning_. "Don't cry over spilt
milk." "He rejoiced over his acquittal."

_Over_ for _More than_. "A sum of over ten thousand dollars." "Upward
of ten thousand dollars" is equally objectionable.

_Over_ for _On_. "The policeman struck him over the head." If the blow
was over the head it did not hit him.

_Over with_. "Let us have it over with." Omit with. A better
expression is, Let us get done with it.

_Outside of_. Omit the preposition.

_Pair_ for _Pairs_. If a word has a good plural use each form in its
place.

_Pants_ for _Trousers_. Abbreviated from pantaloons, which are no
longer worn. Vulgar exceedingly.

_Partially_ for _Partly_. A dictionary word, to swell the book.

_Party_ for _Person_. "A party named Brown." The word, used in that
sense, has the excuse that it is a word. Otherwise it is no better
than "pants" and "gent." A person making an agreement, however, is a
party to that agreement.

_Patron_ for _Customer_.

_Pay_ for _Give_, _Make_, etc. "He pays attention." "She paid a visit
to Niagara." It is conceivable that one may owe attention or a visit
to another person, but one cannot be indebted to a place.

_Pay_. "Laziness does not pay." "It does not pay to be uncivil." This
use of the word is grossly commercial. Say, Indolence is unprofitable.
There is no advantage in incivility.

_Peek_ for _Peep_. Seldom heard in England, though common here. "I
peeked out through the curtain and saw him." That it is a variant of
peep is seen in the child's word peek-a-boo, equivalent to bo-peep.
Better use