Difference between revisions of "Manual - Manuel"
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These words can be confused by careless writers – and spellcheckers! | These words can be confused by careless writers – and spellcheckers! | ||
| − | '''Manuel''' is essentially not English. It is a (man’s) name in other languages (most commonly Spanish). So it is used in English. (It is the name of a Spanish character in the popular television comedy Fawlty Towers.) | + | '''Manuel''' is essentially not English. It is a (man’s) name in other languages (most commonly Spanish). So it is used in English. (It is the name of a Spanish character in the popular television comedy ''Fawlty Towers''.) |
'''Manual''' is a native word. As an [[adjective]], it means ‘to do with the hands’, for example when you catch your hand in a door, you might have a ‘'''manual''' injury’. A '''manual''' labourer is one who earns money through physical work (‘with his hands’). | '''Manual''' is a native word. As an [[adjective]], it means ‘to do with the hands’, for example when you catch your hand in a door, you might have a ‘'''manual''' injury’. A '''manual''' labourer is one who earns money through physical work (‘with his hands’). | ||
Revision as of 17:00, 23 January 2007
These words can be confused by careless writers – and spellcheckers!
Manuel is essentially not English. It is a (man’s) name in other languages (most commonly Spanish). So it is used in English. (It is the name of a Spanish character in the popular television comedy Fawlty Towers.)
Manual is a native word. As an adjective, it means ‘to do with the hands’, for example when you catch your hand in a door, you might have a ‘manual injury’. A manual labourer is one who earns money through physical work (‘with his hands’).
As a noun, a manual is ‘a handbook’ – a basic source of reference for mostly practical matters. (It also has a meaning in Music, to do with organs: it is the keyboard played with the hands, as opposed to the pedal keys, which are played with the feet.)
