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Thoughts on using ‘proper’ American English

Dear Heloise: What has happened to proper grammar usage and the proper pronunciation of American English? “Gonna” and “wanna” have replaced “going to” and “want to.” People use “different than” instead of “different from.” Words such as February, mischievous, veteran and temperature are constantly mispronounced by TV journalists, weather reporters and politicians. Unfortunately, we are judged by our vocabulary when we speak, which makes people form instant impressions about our education, social class and intelligence. Many thanks for all your wonderful hints. ...

Horoscope

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Experience has taught you exactly what you need and how to go about getting it. And though the order has been fulfilled, you still hunger for more. This keeps you curious and in motion. Rather than wrestling your appetite, let it guide you. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Don’t reveal too much. Hold back and assess. Keep resources hidden. Make no deals. If your entire effort goes into learning what others need and want, you’ll soon know the exact right next move. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Today, you may catch yourself thinking, “Wow, this is my mom/dad ...

Today in History

Today is Monday, Feb. 23, the 54th day of 2026. There are 311 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 23, 1945, during World War II, U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima captured Mount Suribachi, where they raised two American flags. (The second flag-raising was captured in an iconic photograph by Joe Rosenthal of The Associated Press.) Also on this date: In 1836, the siege of the Alamo by Mexican troops began in San Antonio, Texas. Almost all of the nearly 200 heavily outnumbered Texas defenders, including American frontiersman and politician Davy Crockett, were killed in the ...

Showing up sick is selfish, not brave

Dear Annie: I genuinely like my job and most of the people I work with. We are a small office, so we see a lot of each other, share the same kitchen and bump into one another all day long. Normally that is fine, but lately one co-worker has turned cold and flu season into his own personal hobby. I will call him “Carl.” Carl has a special talent for showing up to work obviously sick and acting as if it is a virtue. It starts with a little sniffle and a bright announcement that he is “totally fine.” By the next day he is coughing constantly, his voice is scratchy, his eyes look ...

Methocarbamol may cause anaphylactic shock

DEAR DR. ROACH: My question is about methocarbamol (Robaxin). My relative has been taking this for about two years for back pain. He then developed a sudden severe allergic reaction and went into anaphylactic shock. He fought it all night, not knowing what was happening, and by morning, he had to go to the hospital. Could this be due to methocarbamol? If so, can this happen again? He had no known allergies, and this had never happened before. The only other thing was maybe burning a lemon-scented candle in his bedroom, but he has burned candles before in his bedroom. He is 27 years old ...

Stains on napkins are memories of gatherings

Dear Heloise: I am a 75-year-old woman who enjoys setting a pretty table for special holidays, and I like using cloth napkins on such occasions. I have no biological children but frequently entertain nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. Usually, most of them set the cloth napkin (which is secured in a holiday-themed napkin ring) aside for fear of staining it. This past Thanksgiving, I asked then to “humor me” by actually removing the napkin ring, placing the napkins on their laps, and wiping their mouths with it if need be. I told them that any stains would be a ...