PAIRS AND SNARES XXXVII

The words in each group below can be confused. Can you give a simple definition of each one that shows the difference between them?

1. COCA (KO-kuh) - CACAO (kah-KAY-o)- COCOA (KO-ko) 

2. COCOA (hot beverage)  - HOT CHOCOLATE

3. ODEON - ODEUM -ODIUM 

4. SCRIMP -SKIMP

5. LICE - NITS 

6. THIRD WHEEL - FIFTH WHEEL

7. ASSAULT - BATTERY 

Answers: 

1. COCA is the plant from which cocaine is made.

    CACAO is the fruit of the cacao tree whose pods contain the beans from which chocolate is made. However, raw cacao beans hardly resemble chocolate at all and cannot be eaten straight from the pods.

     COCOA - Without cocoa, there would be no such thing as chocolate. Cocoa begins its life as the fruit (bean) of the cacao tree, but it must be fermented, dried, roasted, and crushed to be used to make chocolate.   

 

2.  COCOA (hot beverage) - Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, which is a lighter, drier product - resulting in a thinner, sweeter drink. 

     HOT CHOCOLATE  is made with melted chocolate, which contains cocoa butter - leading to a richer, thicker taste.

 

3. ODEON and ODEUM are  synonymous - An ancient Greek or Roman building for musical performances 

    ODIUM - Hatred, abhorrence, disgust - directed at someone because of their actions

 

4. Both SCRIMP and SKIMP mean to be frugal and economical.

    SCRIMP implies general saving or economizing 

    SKIMP suggests using or providing less than what is needed or expected 

 

5. LICE (singular: louse) - Tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that crawl on the scalp and bite to feed on blood

    NITS - The oval-shaped eggs the lice lay on hair shafts close to the scalp - often easier to spot than live lice because they are firmly attached to the hair

 

6. THIRD WHEEL and FIFTH WHEEL both refer to a "superfluous" person - one who makes a situation awkward - or feels that he/she does.

     FIFTH WHEEL is the more general term while THIRD WHEEL usually refers to a third person with a romantic couple. 

 

7. ASSAULT - In the context of law, ASSAULT is the threat of harm or the act of putting someone in fear of imminent harm.

    BATTERY is the actual physical contact that causes harm or offense.