It's been lovingly pointed out to me that I have been spelling "genius" incorrectly. At first it seemed a little ironic that, for as good a speller as I am, I can't get "genius" right. And I'm not claiming to be one, by any means, but seriously? Why, I wondered? Then I discovered the source of all my troubles: The Word "Ingenious." What's more, I've never known when to say something is "genius" or "ingenious." So now that question is enhanced by the even trickier quest to understand why you would include an "o" in one and not the other.
Dad's been counseling me on grammar for years at the dinner table (although it was not he who pointed out this error [but it WAS he who taught me why "he" should be used in that sentence, not "him"]). Today (the 17th) is his birthday, so it seems appropriate to ask him 1.) when to say something is "ingenious" or "genius" and 2.)why "genius" does not have an "o". What do you say, Dad?
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