“Block” parties

June 10th, 2009 at 07:00am Barry Wood

There are “blocks,” and then there are “blocs.”

Most of the time, we need the one with the “k”: starting block, cellblock, concrete block, building block, city block, block grant, block letters, writer’s block, block and tackle, block that kick, and blockhead, for example.

But for references to political alliances, use “bloc” (without the “k”): voting bloc, the old Soviet bloc, and so on.

Although powerful blocs are able to block legislation, “bloc” isn’t a verb — not yet, anyway. Perhaps if the “bloc” bloc were to pressure dictionary editors. …

Entry Filed under: homonyms, word choices