spoonfuls, spoons full: These words have distinctive meanings. Spoonfuls means one spoon filled repeatedly; spoons full means several spoons filled once. Compare [-FUL].
spout, up the: A vulgarism for “with the pawnbroker,” or “out of sight.”
spree, to go on a: Formerly this phrase designated indulgence in boisterous frolic and excess of drink: latterly the term has been used to denote “going on an outing for the day.”
square, on the: A colloquialism for “with fair intention or with reputation for fair dealing; honest.”
stake, steak: Exercise care in the use of these homophones. A stake is a stick or post, as of wood; a steak is a slice of meat. Note the difference in spelling.
standpoint should not be used for “point of view.”
stationary, stationery: Exercise care in the use of these words. Stationary is remaining in one place or position; stationery, writing-materials in general. These words are pronounced alike.
statue, statute: These words are sometimes confounded; a statue is a plastic representation of a human or animal figure as in marble or bronze. A statute is a properly authenticated legislative enactment, especially one passed by a body of representatives.
stay and stop: Stay is sometimes used incorrectly for stop; do not say “I shall stay in Paris on my way to Berlin,” but “I shall stop in Paris” etc. Do not say “How long will you stop there?” but “How long will you stay?” etc. Compare [SOJOURN] and [STOP].
step. See [STOP].