Q: I was taught that a biannual event occurred every other year. Now it seems "biannual" is being used to mean "occurring twice a year." What gives? — Andrea Mansfield, Trenton, New Jersey.

A: "What gives?" I haven't heard that expression for a while. It's an Americanism that became popular after appearing in the musical "Pal Joey" in 1940. Some say it derives from the German/Yiddish phrase "Was gibt's?" ("What's happening?").

As for "biannual," heaven help us! During the past 150 years, "biannual" has developed two different meanings: "occurring every two years" and "occurring twice a year." By contrast, the very similar word "biennial" has only one meaning: "occurring every two years" or "lasting for two years," as in, "biennial flowers."

Thus, a phrase such as "biannual meeting" is confusing. Is the meeting held twice a year or every two years? Likewise, people also use "bimonthly" and "biweekly" to mean both "every other month or week" and "twice a month or week."

What to do?

Option 1: Drop the use of "biannual" entirely. When you mean "every two years," use "biennial." When you mean "twice a year," use "semiannual."

Option 2: When you mean "twice a month or week," use "semimonthly" or "semiweekly."

Option 3: When you mean "every two months or weeks," use "bimonthly" or "biweekly," but always provide clarifying information, e.g., "Meetings will be held biweekly, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month."

Q: I frequently see the word "industry" attached to a business or profession, e.g. "insurance industry," "food services industry." I've always associated "industry" with factories. Has the word gained some latitude? — Henry Cote, South Windsor, Connecticut.

A. Here "industry" is actually returning to its original meaning. When "industry" entered English during the 1400s, it meant "diligence in employment," e.g., "The worker showed great industry," or "any distinct group of productive enterprises," e.g., "weaving industry."

During the aptly named "industrial revolution" of the 1800s, "industry" became associated with factories, mills and assembly plants. But when people today use "industry" to describe nonmanufacturing businesses, they're using the word's older meaning.

Because "industry" is so often linked with massive manufacturing, some people now use the term with a negative connotation to describe formerly small enterprises that have burgeoned, e.g., "SAT tutoring industry," "private prison industry," "language column industry." Hey! What gives?

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Connecticut, invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via email to WordGuy@aol.com or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

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