file, filé, filet, fillet

File or file means a folder for papers, or a set of papers on the same subject--
We seem to have lost your file. Would you fill out these forms again?
Do you have the file on the case we're working on?
File also means to arrange papers or information in order to be able to find it again, usually alphabetically--
I have a lot of forms to file before lunch.
No, file those by the date on the top of the folder.
File also means to make an application or send in a form--
She is threatening to file for divorce.
He wants to file for the new job opening.

File also means a vertical row--
He was happy being one of the rank and file, and didn't want to be promoted.
File also means to walk by in a single line--
The troops were ordered to file past the reviewing stand.

File also means a tool with a rough edge, used for smoothing--
Have you seen my nail file?
You can take the rough edges off with a file or rasp.

Filet or filet ( sometimes spelled fillet, pronounced feel ay ) means a boneless slice or cut of meat or fish--
I'd like the filet, done rare, and a baked potato.
See if they have a nice filet of flounder.

Fillet or fillet ( pronounced fill ett ) means a narrow decorative band, or a raised line or ridge--
She wore a satin fillet around her head, with a feather in it, like a flapper form the 1920's.
The table had a fillet of mahogany around the edge.

Filé or filé ( pronounced feel ay ), usually called filé powder, is made from sassafras leaves, and used to thicken stews or gumbo--
If you can't find filé powder, you can add okra to the gumbo.
If you leave out the filé powder, it won't taste the same.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"I saved a file about where to find the filé powder to make a gumbo with this filet of flounder. The cover of the file had a gold fillet on it. Have you seen it?"

pie, pi, π

 Pie or pie means a fruit, cream, meat or vegetable filling baked in a pastry crust--
We still have some pumpkin pie. Do you want some?
I was thinking of making a beef pot pie for dinner.

Pi or pi ( rhymes with pie ) is the  Greek letter π, used to denote the relationship between the radius of a circle and its circumference or area--
The circumference of a circle is equal to 2πr.
Many mathematicians have been fascinated by π, as a fraction that never repeats or ends. People once called it "squaring the circle".

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Maybe we should take a break from calculating pi, and have a slice of pie."

desperate, disparate

Desperate or desperate means having a great need or desire--
He might have done it. He is desperate for money.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Desperate may mean showing a reckless disregard for consequences or safety--
He drove to the hospital in desperate haste.
Desperate may mean having no hope, or in despair--
He made a desperate effort to get into the burning building, before the flames drove him back.
It was a sordid tale of the desperate enterprises of desperate men.

Disparate or disparate means of  markedly different kinds, or essentially unlike--
We need a marketing campaign that will promote all of our disparate enterprises.
The two diseases have similar symptoms, but disparate causes.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The doctor tried varied and disparate treatments before resorting to the desperate, life-threatening procedure."

rumor, roomer

Rumor or rumor means a tale or gossip circulating, with no proof of its veracity--
Rumor has it that he's going to quit his job.
Did he tell you that, or is it just a rumor?

Roomer or roomer ( rhymes with rumor ) means a person who rents a room in a private house--
The old widow took in a roomer to help make ends meet.
He had been a roomer for years, and now he wanted to buy a house.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"I hope that story about your roomer is just a nasty rumor."

Note--not to be confused with "roomier", meaning having more room or space--
The other car is more stylish, but this one is roomier.

humorous, humerus

Humorous or humorous means amusing or comical--
The preacher often began his sermon with a humorous story.
Instead of being embarrassed, he found the situation humorous.

Humerus or humerus ( rhymes with humorous ) is the bone in your arm from shoulder to elbow, often called the "funny bone"--
If you bump your humerus against something, it may feel funny for a few minutes, but it's nothing serious.
He broke his humerus and was in a cast for six weeks.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He broke his humerus, and was annoyed with the punsters who found it humorous"

Note--to "humor" someone means to go along with his whims, even if you don't understand them, so "humor us" ( two words, rhymes with humorous ) would mean to go along with the whims or moods of more than one person--
We know you don't see the point of these precautions, but humor us until you learn why they are necessary.
Note # 2--"humorous", in a book from long ago, may also mean having to do with the "humours" of the body, or with fluid or moisture from a body--
Medieval physicians believed that some diseases were humorous.
Note # 3--"humorless" ( one word ) means lacking any sense of fun or "humor"--
"We are not amused", she said in a dry, humorless tone.
"Humor less" ( two words ) might make a part of a sensible sentence, where "humor" means to go along with someone's whims, and "less" means not so much--
School discipline would be more effective if we would humor less, and punish more.
Note # 4--"humorist" means someone who makes others laugh with jokes or who writes comical pieces--
One of the paper's local coumnists is our favorite humorist.
Note # 5--"humoresque" means a short, light-hearted musical composition--
He has been practicing a humoresque all week, for the piano recital on Saturday.

slew, slue

Slew or slew is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "slay", meaning to kill--
"When David slew Goliath, that was a miracle..."
Remember the old tale of the tailor who slew seven with one blow? 

Slue or slue ( rhymes with slew ) means to swing or turn around, particularly the mast of a ship--
Slue the mast to windward, or we'll never win the race.
Don't slue that mast without warning us first.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Be careful when you slue the mast; it slew one of our sailors last year."

Note--"slues" ( slooze ) is the third person singular ( he she it ) of "slue" --
Watch your head when it slues!
Not to be confused with "sluice" ( slooss ), meaning a channel used for conducting water, as to power a mill--
Open the sluice gate and start the mill wheel.

burger, burgher

Burger or burger means the ground meat sandwich found in fast food restaurants, diners, and homes--
Tomorrow you can make a turkey burger with the leftovers.
I'd like a burger and a shake, please.

Burgher or burgher ( rhymes with burger ) means a citizen of a borough or small town--
He was proud of his status as a burgher of the town, and looked down on country folk.
Only a burgher can vote on town business.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"Make sure to order a burger and fries for each burger who will be attending the meeting."

Note--"burgh" is an old-fashioned word for a borough or small town--
The farmer sometimes took his produce to the market in the burgh.
"Burg" ( rhymes with burg ) is an old-fashioned slang term for a small town--
They must roll up the streets of this burg at night.
Note #2--"burgess" may mean a citizen of a small town or borough--
The old burgess hoped to be appointed a magistrate.
"Burgess" also means an elected official of a local or state legislature or governing body--
He was elected a burgess from his region, and sent to the House of Burgesses in Richmond.