Know your English | What does ‘fogey’ mean? Premium

A column in The Hindu which helps you learn the English language

Although there is a difference in spelling, the two words are homophones — they are pronounced the same way. The first syllable is pronounced like the word ‘can’ and the vowel in the second, sounds like the ‘a’ in ‘china’. Both words are pronounced ‘CAN-ves’ with the stress on the first syllable. ‘Canvas’ is a noun, and it refers to the thick fabric usually used to make bags, tents, sails, etc. Artists usually paint on canvas.

We plan to take a canvas tent in case it rains.

The new backpack I bought is made of canvas.

‘Canvass’, on the other hand, is mainly used as a verb, and when you see this word, think of politicians. When a candidate canvasses for votes, he goes around meeting people and requests them to vote for him. The word can also be used to mean to investigate.

The aging star decided not to canvass for his son or his party.

The detective canvassed the area where the two murders had taken place.

The first syllable ‘fo’ rhymes with the words ‘so’, ‘no’ and ‘go’, while the following ‘g’ sounds like the ‘g’ in ‘get’, ‘gut’ and ‘glass’. The final ‘ey’ sounds like the ‘i’ in ‘hit’, ‘sit’ and ‘bit’. The word is pronounced ‘FOE-gi’ with the stress on the first syllable. It is also possible to spell the word, ‘fogy’.