Bryson•s Dictionary for Writers and Editors

96
Dietrich, Marlene / dilettante
Dietrich, Marlene. (1904–1992) German-born actress and singer;
born Maria Magdalene von Losch.
Dieu et mon droit. (Fr.) “God and my right,” motto of the British
royal family.
different. Often used unnecessarily, as in “It is found in more than
250 different types of plants.” In such constructions it can nearly
always be deleted without loss.
different from, to, than. Among the more tenacious beliefs among
many writers and editors is that different may be followed only
by from. In fact, the belief has no real basis. Different from is, to
be sure, the usual form in most sentences and the only acceptable
form in some, as when it precedes a noun or pronoun (“My
car is different from his”; “Men are different from women”). But
when different introduces a clause, there can be no valid objection
to following it with a to (though this usage is chiefly British)
or than, as in this sentence by John Maynard Keynes: “How different
things appear in Washington than in London.” You may,
if you insist, change it to “How different things appear in Washington
from how they appear in London,” but all it gives you is
more words, not better grammar.
diffuse. To spread out; not to be confused with defuse, meaning to
make safe.
digestible.
dike, dyke. Either is acceptable.
dilapidated, dilapidation.
dilatory. Not -tary.
dildos.
dilemma refers to a situation involving two courses of action, both
unsatisfactory. A person who cannot decide what he wants for
breakfast is not in a dilemma.
dilettante. A lover of, or dabbler in, the fine arts; most often used
with a hint of condescension; pl. dilettantes or dilettanti.