ADVERTISEMENT

Has someone ever told you that you used a wrong word? Well, you're not alone. Many people confuse terms without even knowing it. You might think that it's usually the English language learners who get the names of concepts or objects all mixed up, but it's not unusual for native speakers to get tangled up in misconceptions too.

The truth is, some terms seem so synonymous that people don't even bother to look them up. So, if you ever find yourself in an argument whether muffins have icing or whether tofu and panner are the same thing, it might mean that you need to do some research. But no worries. This time we've got you covered. Inspired by a Scoop Whoop post we dug around and collected some of the most confusing words to explain the differences between them.

Check out if you've made any of these mistakes and let us know in the comments.

(h/t)

#4

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

PublicDomainPictures , Foto-Rabe Report

Add photo comments
POST
rosebona avatar
athornedrose
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

or as we were taught, poisonous: hurts if you bite it, venomous: hurts if it bites you.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Pexels , pen_ash Report

Add photo comments
POST
johanna_10 avatar
Lucida
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my language (Swedish) both have the same name but with "land" and "water" at the beginning of the word, like "waterturtle" and "landturtle".

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Alaska Fisheries Science Center , GFDL&CC Report

Add photo comments
POST
marquiva avatar
Marlene Riethmüller
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

had been told 'shrimp' is used more in American English, while 'prawn' is favoured in British English

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#20

Commonly Misused Words

adege , Hans Report

Add photo comments
POST
lizl_7 avatar
Lizard Queen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once." - Terry Pratchett

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#22

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Luctheo , Annca Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This does not really belong here, does it? A champagne is still a sparkling wine, so technically it is a specialisation, not two thing that are confused but essentially are different.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Stanze , Skeeze Report

Add photo comments
POST
neeraz001 avatar
Neeraj Jha
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their expression say that they are disappointed in you that you didn't know this.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Linda De Volder , Dmitry Dzhus Report

Add photo comments
POST
crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do not tell this to all this alternative right movements who claim that there are certain "people" native to places, and that their intermingling with other "races" will weaken the national identity. We may form nations and e may come from different ethnicies, but we are all humans!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

seagul , mareke Report

Add photo comments
POST
ashrita-padigala avatar
Rue Granger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I never know... What's the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite?" "Stalagmite has an 'm' in it"

arsonleigh avatar
Rashleigh Eavis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how childish it might be...i remember by thinking.. stalactite has tit in it... tits hang down..

Load More Replies...
daniellosinger avatar
Daniel Losinger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always remember this because a stalactite holds “tight” to the ceiling.

johnlm1981 avatar
John Montgomery
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's similar to how I learned it in school. The teacher used the saying "Stalactites hold on tight, and Stalagmites might reach the ceiling some day"

Load More Replies...
audwey avatar
Aud Wey
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At school (in France), we were taught this: stalagMite qui Monte (up) , stalagTite, qui Tombe (down).

yswords avatar
Bill Yardley
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stalactite had letter C for ceiling, stalagmite has letter G for ground.

mewmew34 avatar
mewmew34
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Were people not taught about these in school? The way I learned how to remember, Stalactites, which have a C in the name, hang from the Ceiling. Stalagmites, which have a G in the name, come up from the Ground.

janet-burnett88 avatar
Wyndmere
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Note the difference in the spelling. To remember which is which, C = ceiling, g = ground.

m_j_j_ avatar
M.J. J.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The spelling difference--the one with the 'c' in it is for 'ceiling', like growing from the ceiling, and the other, the 'g' is for 'ground', growing up from the ground

brownibutter avatar
QuietAnt
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was little I would say stalagMite (M points up) and stalagTite (T points down)

ali_wc avatar
Kimberley Stone
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As my mother clarified for me when I was a child: 'A stalactite holds on tight, and a stalagmite, grows with all its might'.

copper-fractions avatar
Tiny Dynamine
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was taught that stalactites hang down like tights and stalagmites are ones that mites can crawl up.

paula-christopher avatar
Boudica
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum taught me that a Stalactite has to hang on 'tite' so it doesn't fall off, and a Stalagmite 'mite' reach the Stalactite if it grows tall enough :-)

nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A stalaCtite holds TIGHT to the Ceiling, and a stalaGmite MIGHT one day rise high above the Ground.

ealizabethane avatar
Lisa Shaw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The one with a "C" in it, hangs from the ceiling, the one with a "G" in it comes up from the ground.

rhemore1 avatar
Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stalactites hold tight to the ceiling, stalagmites might reach it, simple

kaymatyas avatar
Kaylene Matyas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Easy way to remember- stalactite - sticks tight to the roof, stalagmites - might reach the roof.

animeg0ddessxxyahoo_com avatar
AnimeG0ddessXX@yahoo.com
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's the difference between a stalactite and stalagmite? A stalagmite give you a middle finger.

holowak124 avatar
Kathy Holowati
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I+always+remember+by:+a+stalactite+holds+on+tight+to+the+ceiling+and+a+stalagmite+is+on+the+ground+and+be+careful+or+you+MIGHT+trip+over+it

ali_wc avatar
Kimberley Stone
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stalactites hold on tight, stalagmites grow with all their might.

mallee49 avatar
Anne Mitchell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A stalactite has to hang on tight(ly) to the roof or it will fall. A stalagmite might eventually reach the ceiling.

mtweety09-facebook avatar
Maria Ribaulo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stalactites cling TITE to the ceiling. Stalagmites MITE reach the ceiling.

kaatsje avatar
Catharina Geerts
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I learned it with another mnemonic: In stalactites the t is the first letter of the French word 'tomber' (falling) en in stalagmites the m stands for 'monter' (rise, ascend). Always remembered that.

nehasingh_6 avatar
Neha Singh
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Big Bash 2018-19 All Match Prediction Pro Kabaddi League 2018-2019 Indian Army CBSE online learning plantform Check out the trending festival around the world

pena4128 avatar
Pat Pena
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stalgtites "hang on tight," stalgmites "grow with might."

mickgio avatar
Mick Giovanni
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was taught in school stalagmites might reach the ceiling and stalactites hold on tight

jeff_gachihi avatar
Jeff Gachihi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"If YOUR stalagmite lasts longer than six hours, please consult your nearest doctor."

eva_friend avatar
Eva Friend
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can tell the difference because someone told me stalactites hang down like some titties do :D I never mixed them up since then XD

anniefullmer avatar
Annie Fullmer
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grade school science teacher told us that if it was spelled "--tite" it was from the Top

jemelleshannon avatar
The Famous Junkie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tights come down... just like the wearable kind. That’s how I remember

kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've heard all these differences a thousand times over the years. I'll forget them again as soon as I scroll past this.

lucyroobies avatar
LucyAnn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was always told stalagmites point up like mountains, stalagtites hang down like tits.

kristie_711 avatar
Kristie Hodges
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The mites go up, then the tights come down!" Thanks uncle mark!!!

roberta-morrison-900 avatar
Roberta Morrison
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The easiest way to remember this is that "a stalactite holds on 'tight' to the ceiling."

amaranthim_talon avatar
Amaranthim Talon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Stalactite hangs TIGHTLY to the ceiling, Stalagmite, MIGHT one day reach the ceiling"

diane-moffatt-71 avatar
Diane Moffatt
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A stalactite holds on hard to the ceiling. A stalagmite might reach it one day

harleyrayner avatar
Harley Rayner
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stalactites, stalagmites, only caves have got 'em. Tites are always on the top, and mites are on the bottom!

lfnoyes avatar
May Be
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mnemonic: Think of a person at a picnic attacked by ants. The mites go up and the tights come down.

pennypacker3000 avatar
David Jeu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Easy to remember in French. StalacTite,Tombe, stalagMite, Monte. Boring fact of the day.

tdibble avatar
Tom Dibble
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stalagtites hold on tight; stalagmites might reach the top eventually. 35-years-old Webelos knowledge FTW!

patrichon avatar
Patrice Bourget
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Easier in french. A stalag[M]ite goes up ([M]onter in french). A stalac[T]ite falls down ([T]omber in french)

crideout78 avatar
Cheri Rideout
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We were taught in school stalactite has to hold on tight and stalagmite has to use it's might to push up from the ground

glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never mind those--the best are the bacon formations! (not kidding)

sill avatar
Sill Marien
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and there is the one that holds floor and ceiling together and I have no idea what's it called in English ;p But it's "stalagnat" here, so probably very similar

jlacroix777 avatar
Jacques Lacroix
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In French it's easy: Monte (goes up) and Tombe (falls), M and T :-))

gaellesimon avatar
Ryukei Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a good trick in French to remember the difference :) StalacTites fall from the ceiling (fall=Tomber) and stalagMites rise from the floor (rise=Monter)... T-T and M-M :)

diresilverwolf avatar
BREAK YOUr perceptions
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a stalactite hangs TIGHT to the ceiling. while a stalagmite you MIGHT find on the ground.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

earth247woman , Illuvis Report

Add photo comments
POST
jonvintage85 avatar
Cactuar Jon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do people not know the difference between a butterfly and a moth???

View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

willems_87 , Nahal08 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ng avatar
N G
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What do you call a Gorilla that has a Banana stuck in each ear ? Answer: Anything you like..... because he can't hear you

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Ben_Kerckx , fsHH Report

Add photo comments
POST
ashrita-padigala avatar
Rue Granger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure about everyone else, but I'm pretty sure people know this. Right? Or is it just me?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

BubbleJuice , kathydetweiler Report

Add photo comments
POST
nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did a Masters and a PhD in anurans. The distinction between 'frogs' and 'toads is arbitary. Not all dryish anurans are short-leggedish, or smoothish, or stringy-eggedish, and not all mucussy anurans are the obverse in one or more of those characteristics. The notion of frogs versus toads is simply a gradient of perceptions with no biological significance. And the teeth thing that another commernter claimed is a nonsense...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

NickRivers , webandi Report

Add photo comments
POST
nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wasps can be pollinators - there are many species of orchids whose flower structures are predicated on exactly this fact. Look it up.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Liz Mochrie , George Wesley & Bonita Dannells Report

Add photo comments
POST
vivekmhatre avatar
Vivek Mhatre
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Paneer is awesome. Especially when coated with a layer of spiced corn flour or spiced bread.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

GLady , Dennis Candy Report

Add photo comments
POST
neeraz001 avatar
Neeraj Jha
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am not sure about this.. The one on the right is also eaten as a fruit in my natives.. It's more like a different variety of Banana..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Wounds_and_Cracks , Couleur Report

Add photo comments
POST
mary-jane_scharnick avatar
Mary-Jane Scharnick
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in S.A the tangerines are called naartjies. pronounced 'nar-chies' . think it comes from the Afrikaans language.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

SofieZborilova , MartinStr Report

Add photo comments
POST
nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like other differences on this list, the distinctions are arbitrary and not consistent. There is not biological difference between kangaroos and wallabies, save size, and small kangaroos and be smaller than large wallabies. Some wallaby species are distinctly plain in colour. My bona fides? I'm a biologist, with three species of macropod that that come out to graze on my paddocks every night.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

Alexas_Fotos , Glavo Report

Add photo comments
POST
jonvintage85 avatar
Cactuar Jon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rats are amazing, intelligent creatures and it's about time people stopped being scarred of them and start educating themselves about them. They deserve respect.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Commonly-Misused-Words-Pairs-Different-Meaning

RitaE , Mooss Report

Add photo comments
POST
neeraz001 avatar
Neeraj Jha
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it's more of US/UK thing. UK calls it biscuits while US cookies.. no?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda