ala vs à la :

ala or a la

If you offer pie à la mode on your menu, be careful not to spell it “ala mode” or—worse—“alamode.” The accent over the first “a” is optional in English, although this is an adaptation of the French phrase à la mode de meaning “in the manner of.” The one-word spelling used to be common; but as people became more sensitive to preserving the spelling of originally French phrases, it fell out of favor. In whose manner is it to plop ice cream on your pie? Nobody really knows, but it’s yummy.Stick with the two-word spelling in all other uses of the phrase “à la” as well.

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Definitions

  • n  a flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism
    the alae of the nose
    the alae of a maple seed
    the flat petals of a pea blossom are alae
  • n  a wing of an insect
News & Articles

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    CENTRE, Ala. (AP) — Authorities say one of three bodies pulled from a vehicle that was submerged in a northeast Alabama lake has been identified. Cherokee County officials say 41-year-old Bobby DeWayne Hyatt, of Piedmont, was pulled from a vehicle found upside down last Thursday in Weiss Lake. The bodies of two other passengers — an unidentified man and woman — have been sent to the Department ...
    June 19, 2013 - WDEF Chattanooga
  • Ala. Rep. Chad Fincher running for US House
    MOBILE, Ala. — Republican state Rep. Chad Fincher of Semmes has joined the crowded field to replace U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner in Alabama’s 1st District congressional race.
    June 19, 2013 - The Post and Courier
  • Ala. massage parlor closed after pair of raids
    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Birmingham's city council has voted unanimously to shut down a massage parlor that has been the target of two prostitution raids. WBRC-TV (http://bit.ly/16G7mvn ) reports the council voted Tuesday to revoke the business license for Bali Spa, which was raided in March and April. Nine employees were arrested and charged with prostitution and drug-related offenses ...
    June 19, 2013 - WDEF Chattanooga