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#116450 11/24/03 12:49 PM
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What do the words acme and acne have in common, besides being next to each other in a dictionary? The word acne began its life as acme. As a result of a misreading, it took on a new spelling. There are many more such words in the English language. Buttonhole once was buttonhold. Shamefaced used to be shamefast in the sense of restrained by shame. Cherry was originally cherise, but as that seemed to be plural, people spoke of a cherry when referring to a single fruit. The same happened with pease which was wrongly assumed to be plural and became pea. The list goes on and on.

Next time you see someone misspelling the word "definitely" as "definately" don't snicker. Chances are the new spelling will find a way into the dictionary [e.a.] ( that doesn't mean I'll stop snickering! )just as "miniscule" did for the original word "minuscule" because people thought the word had its origin in prefix mini-. It's the usage that determines the flow of language. This week we'll see a few words that are in their current incarnation because someone misread, misprinted, misheard, or misunderstood the term.

-Anu
anu@wordsmith.org


#116451 11/25/03 01:59 AM
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Hmm--just because Anu lists "wrong" words, doesn't mean he's a descriptivist, she said prescriptively.
However, I'd almost be willing to bet a small amount of money that he is--he's evinced too much joy in the process for me to think otherwise.
It's the usage that determines the flow of language. Can the same be said for grammar? What about punctuation--can the apostrophe be saved?


#116452 11/25/03 03:41 AM
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Punctuation? Yes, the same thing can be said. Take a look at the punctuation of documents from the 18th century, for instance, with the hearty and hefty peppering of punctuation marks. We've discussed the former generosity of such marks several times here in the last couple years.
...

Back to spelling. Can't you just imagine the collective sigh of relief among those who want definitely to be definately whenever the grand lexicographical announcement is made? They will say, "It's about time! We knew we were right in adavnce."


#116453 11/25/03 11:02 AM
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They will say, "It's about time! We knew we were right in adavnce."


Are you suggesting that they are presciptive in their descriptivity (or is that descriptivistness? Heck! whatever most of y'all think!).


#116454 11/25/03 09:55 PM
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And what about the disappearance of my good friend Whom? Will Whom become extinct?


#116455 11/25/03 10:27 PM
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Will Whom become extinct?

Ye did as did Thou, Thee and Thine. We lost a whole number when wit/unc/uncer and git/inc/incer disappeared. You're worried about Whom but I'll bet you've never used Whon.


#116456 11/26/03 11:56 AM
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Since I never whin, I never need ...oh, you know.

My personal battle is to preserve the semi-colon; if I keep using it perhaps it will survive. Not for prescriptive reasons; I just like it.


#116457 11/26/03 05:45 PM
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To wit, I would fain admit I have not used “whon” a whit!


#116458 11/26/03 05:56 PM
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I have to admit that my whon is a WAG reconstruction. The OE was hwone. Compare this with the OE hwæm from whence, whom and you don't get that good a match. Whon would be the word you would use for the accusative to whom's dative.



#116459 11/26/03 10:25 PM
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hwine!


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