I. rein /reɪn/ noun 1. [countable usually plural] a long narrow band of leather that is fastened around a horse’s head in order to control it ⇒ bridle 2. Give (full/free) rein to something: to allow an emotion or feeling to be expressed freely: ● He gave free rein to his imagination. 3. Give somebody (a) free rein: to give someone complete freedom to do a job in whatever way they choose. 4. Keep a tight rein on somebody/something: to control something strictly: ● The finance director keeps a tight rein on spending. 5. Take/hand over the reins: to take or give someone control over an organization or country: ● Owens will officially take over the reins in a few weeks. II. rein/ verb 1. To start to control a situation more strictly: ● The government is reining in public expenditure. 2. To make a horse go more slowly by pulling on the reins I. reign /reɪn/ noun [countable] 1. The period when someone is king, queen, or emperor. reign of ● changes that took place during Charlemagne’s reign. 2. The period when someone is in charge of an organization, team etc: ● during his reign at the Education Department 3. A period during which something is the most powerful or most important feature of a place. reign of ● the reign of Stalinism in Russia 4. Reign of terror: a period when a ruler or a government kills many of their political opponents. II. reign verb [intransitive] 1. To rule a nation or group of nations as their king, queen, or emperor: ● George VI reigned from 1936 to 1952. reign over ● Pharaohs reigned over Egypt for centuries. 2. If a feeling or quality reigns, it exists strongly for a period of time: ● For several minutes confusion reigned. 3. Reigning champion: the most recent winner of a competition: ● Can he defeat the reigning Wimbledon champion? 4. Reign supreme: if someone or something reigns supreme, they are the most important part of a situation or time: ● It was a time when romance reigned supreme.

1. "Musings" are "thoughts." In this context "our social media musings" means "all the thoughts we post on social media." 2. First - is giving someone cement shoes normal in China? Second - the cultural reference - in mobster/gangster movies & books, the bad guys would force their enemies to stand in a box, and then pour cement on their feet. After the cement dried, they would then throw that person into a large body of water. The cement would weigh the enemy down so that that person would drown. No, that's not what most people do. 3. "Rein" is a the leather strap you use to lead a horse. "To reign" is to rule over a country (or rule over something).

"Musings" means rambling, loose, disconnected thoughts. "Mobster" means a member of "the mob." "The mob," in turn, is US slang for "a member of an organized crime group, such as the Mafia." "Rein" and "reign" are completely different words that just happen to be pronounced alike. "Reins" are, literally, leather straps used to control a horse. "Reign" is a verb meaning "to rule over a country" and specifically refers to royalty. Queen Elizabeth reigns over England; prime minister Theresa May does not "reign."