Learn something new, or refresh your memory - This weekly section in our Blog is devoted to improving your writing skills and vocabulary.
AESTHETIC – AES-THET-IC)

Today’s word is ”aesthetic“. This is both a noun and an adjective. As an adjective, it means relating to a sense of beauty.
For example, you can say, “Aesthetic salons are my mother’s favorite place to be; she loves getting facial treatments and massages in beautiful salons.”

Podium/lectern
If you’ve ever given a speech or lecture, you more than likely have used a stand called a lectern as a place to lay your papers or notes. However, you probably didn’t refer to the stand as a lectern. Like most people, you probably called it a podium. But a podium is actually a raised platform used to stand upon when speaking in front of a group.
Remember that you stand behind a lectern, while you stand on a podium. If you are wondering why one would differentiate between these two words, consider the origin of the word podium. It is a Latin word derived from the Greek word podion, a form of pous or podos, meaning foot. Aha! By looking at the derivative of the word, it becomes clear why a podium is something that is stood upon–its root means foot.

A lot or Alot?
A lot should be written as two words. Although a lot is used informally to mean "a large number" or "many," avoid using a lot in formal writing.
Example: The crook had many [not a lot of] chances to rob the stranger.