Definitions

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Definitions

Postby ohiocaver » Aug 10, 2014 12:29 pm

We all know how to remember the definition of stalagmites (might grow up) and stalactites (tight to the ceiling). There is another method from Wordsmith that kids would love called the "ants in the pants" method to remember which is a stalagmite and which is a stalactite: When the mites go up the tights come down. Or maybe it's too adult? :tonguecheek:
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Re: Definitions

Postby Martin Sluka » Aug 10, 2014 3:51 pm

stalagmite: M
stalagtite: TT

:)
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Re: Definitions

Postby jderoo » Aug 11, 2014 8:42 am

For many years I've use the trick in Martin's post, and the several people I've mentioned it to seemed to think it was fairly intuitive.

Mites and tights sounds cute, but it is not non-sensical if you reverse the directions, so it could still be ambiguous.
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Re: Definitions

Postby GroundquestMSA » Aug 11, 2014 9:28 am

Martin Sluka wrote:stalagtite: TT


Ah, but Martin isn't using the "C for ceiling" trick to remember to spelling of stalactite...
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Re: Definitions

Postby Martin Sluka » Aug 11, 2014 10:19 am

GroundquestMSA wrote:Ah, but Martin isn't using the "C for ceiling" trick to remember to spelling of stalactite…


Hmm, but it is 1. "stalaktit" and 2. "strop" in Czech :)
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Re: Definitions

Postby Martin Sluka » Aug 11, 2014 10:20 am

GroundquestMSA wrote:Ah, but Martin isn't using the "C for ceiling" trick to remember to spelling of stalactite…
Hmm, but it is 1. "stalaktit" and 2. "strop" in Czech :grin:
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Re: Definitions

Postby GroundquestMSA » Aug 11, 2014 10:28 am

Martin Sluka wrote:
GroundquestMSA wrote:Ah, but Martin isn't using the "C for ceiling" trick to remember to spelling of stalactite…
Hmm, but it is 1. "stalaktit" and 2. "strop" in Czech :grin:


:waving: I'm just playing. I still can't figure out English, and there's no way I could begin to take on another language. After years of constant reading and writing, I still have to double check almost every time I write an ie/ei word.
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Re: Definitions

Postby MUD » Aug 11, 2014 10:35 am

:laughing: i before e except after c!
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Re: Definitions

Postby GroundquestMSA » Aug 11, 2014 12:23 pm

Cavemud wrote::laughing: i before e except after c!


Is the worst hint of all time! Why do we dare say this stuff to kids? That one has got me a bunch of times.
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Re: Definitions

Postby JSDunham » Aug 12, 2014 9:05 am

My favorite:

Stalagmites MIGHT hang from the ceiling--but they don't.
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Re: Definitions

Postby caverdan » Aug 12, 2014 2:06 pm

You guys are missing a stal.

Stalaglights can hang from the ceiling, wall, or ground. (Commonly found in tour caves.) :big grin:
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Re: Definitions

Postby Oddball » Aug 14, 2014 12:18 pm

The only phrase I had ever heard to remember the difference was " When the mites come up, the tights go down".... may be a regional thing (TAG). But I still run that saying through my mind plenty of times when thinking about what word to use. So it has been helpful.
Makes me wonder if I can maybe figure something else out different....
Something for me to ponder on....
Would love to hear any other creative ways....
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