Effluvium

The plural of this word is effluvia . It is a common error with those who have no knowledge of Latin to speak of "a disagreeable effluvia," which is as incorrect as it would be to talk about "a disagreeable vapors." Effort without Effect. "Some writers deal in expletives to a degree that tires the ear and offends the understanding. With them everything is exce ively , or immensely , or extremely , or vastly , or surprisingly , or wonderfully , or abundantly , or the like. The notion of such writers is that these words give strength to what they are saying. This is a great error. Strength must be found in the thought , or it will never be found in the words . Big-sounding words, without thoughts corresponding, are effort without effect."—William Cobbett. See Forcible-feeble .