Avoid poetess, authoress, doctress, and other
newly-invented words of this kind.
Fewer, Less
Fewer refers to number, less to quantity. "He had less friends than I,
and yet he was elected." Say "He had fewer friends." "There were no
less than fifty cows in the field." Use fewer.
Right smart
In some portions of the South the expression right smart is employed
in colloquial discourse to convey
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the idea of a large quantity or in large measure; as, "We have right
smart of peaches this summer," meaning "We have a large crop of
peaches;" "He knows right smart of Latin" for "He knows considerable
Latin" or "He is well versed in Latin."
Little bit
"Will you have some of this pudding?"
"If you please. Give me a little bit."
"Did you injure yourself when you fell?"
"No; but I soiled my clothing a little bit."
A small portion or piece, in the first sentence, and slightly, in the
second, would serve as good equivalents for a little bit.
Sight
"There was a sight of people at the fair to-day.
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