NaNoWriMo Snacks: 4 Words We're All Probably Using Wrong

I initially skipped over the "Misused Words and Expressions" section of The Elements of Style, assuming that many of the definitions would be outdated. Language is a living thing, and as much I love Strunk and White,"bling" is in the dictionary now. I gave the section another glance last night, and was pleasantly surprised -there are actually some really blingy gems in there that still hold up. Here's the takeaway.

1. Disinterested
Do not confuse it with "uninterested." This is not a word for someone who doesn't give a shit, it's a word for someone who is impartial.
A disinterested party should judge the ugly sweater contest.

2. Facility
A really vague word for various types of physical institutions (schools, prisons, etc.) Also a common euphemism for the bathroom. You'd do better with specifics.
She was a corrections officer at the Pinewood Prison, and part of her job was cleaning the restrooms late at night. 

3. Fortuitous
Not synonymous with "fortunate" or "lucky." Restricted to events happening by accident or chance. Does have the modern informal connotation of a lucky chance, but the chance element is the most important aspect of the word.
She was slightly hungover and wholly unprepared for the presentation, so it was fortuitous that her boss was at home nursing a nasty bite from an intestinal bug.

4. Lay
Unless you're being intentionally colloquial, you never, ever, lay your body down in the present tense. Chickens lay eggs. Governments lay down laws.  People lie down.
I'm so tired; I think I'll go lie down and watch Dance Moms. 
You can use lay in the past tense.
Last night, I lay on my bed and watched Dance Moms. 
I know it sounds wrong, but it's actually not.

Happy Friday! May lay mean whatever you want it to mean this weekend!