We've discussed here before, lo these years ago, the use by a noticable segment of the population of the term "dilemna" instead of "dilemma", but we've never addressed the process by which the second "m" in dilemma became an "n". My American Heritage dictionary contains a usage discussion, but doesn't even mention "dilemna", let alone explain how that mutation came about. So I am wondering about the whens, whys and hows of "dilemna." Could it be something as silly as a typographical error in some crucial work? A process of recognized language evolution (that seems unlikely; going from the easy-to-say to the more difficult is the opposite of the normal process)?
*heh* In my American Heritage, "dilemma" is listed between "dildo" and "diletante". Is that a dilemma? Or the opposite of one? Speaking of which, is there a term to describe a choice between favorable or attractive alternatives?
I thought for many years that it was dilemNa. I would swear that some English teacher along the way had drilled that N into me. so, I was a victim of the evil N....
S'obvious it aptually came about by confucian® with Dilemna for Murder :)
oooh, that triad suggest a kind of dictionary sandwich game, doesn't it? (sorta taking off from the headwords version)
Interesting. I've never seen this, or more likely never noticed it. A search reveals that some believe that it was originally spelled dilemna, which is ridiculous if you consider the etymology. Of some interest is the fact that the only dilemna one can find in OED is a citation-misspell (dating from 16th C.) under "horned syllogism". Well, that's certainly the horns of a dilemna.
EDIT: In Rhetoric, "a choice between favorable or attractive alternatives" is called a constructive dilemma; but I'm going to guess that's not exactly what you had in mind.
the Contrarian
I wondered if this might have been due to the influence of some other *mna term. a quick OneLook suggested alumna and lemna(!); but both of these are pronounced with a -na, and the latter (=duckweed) is anything but common. and there's always damn
dilemma just looked incorrect to me, which is why I think I stuck to the N for so long. lemma seems slangish, like "lemme outa here!", so guilt by association, I guess... dilemNa was so much more erudite.
[squonk]
>[squonk] ????
I have never seen or heard "dilemna".
Me either, vanguard. Where do these people come up with these things?
> >[squonk] ????
oh, I don't know, just one of those sounds you make when you're kinda barking up the silly tree...
Yikes, Father Steve! Yet another word discussion board! Thanks for the link; some good posts there -- just wonder about its commerciality, as Jackie might or might not say.
[squonk] ????Then there's always Squonk Opera:
http://www.squonkopera.com/hub/index.html
>and there's always damn
The spelling of, e.g., column, condemn, contemn, and damn is etymologically sound (columna, condemnare, contemnere, damnare).
the Contrarian
> Squonk Opera
well, there ya go. <smile>
The spelling of, e.g., column, condemn, contemn, and damn is etymologically sound
As is that of, e.g., molecular, particular, binocular, and ventricular.
(This is old, but somehow apt.)
Here's a dilemma for you....
With all your honor and dignity what would you do? This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. Please don't answer it without giving it some serious thought. By giving an honest answer you will be able to test where you stand morally.
You're in Florida...In Miami, to be exact. There is great chaos going on around you, caused by a hurricane and severe floods.
There are huge masses of water all over you. You are a CNN photographer and you are in the middle of this great disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot very impressive photos. There are houses and people floating around you, disappearing into the water. Nature is showing all its destructive power and is ripping everything away with it.
Suddenly you see a man in the water, he is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken away by the masses of water and mud. You move closer. Somehow the man looks familiar.
Suddenly you know who it is - it's George W. Bush!
At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take him away, forever. You have two options. You can save him or you can take the best photo of your life. So you can save the life of George W. Bush, or you can shoot a Pulitzer Prize winning photo, a unique photo displaying the death of one of the world's most powerful men.
And here's the question (please give an honest answer):
Would you select color film, or rather go with the simplicity of classic black and white?
the Contrarian
We try to avoid politics around here, but I gotta say that made me LOL!
Me too, Contrarian! Maybe Jeb could save him...
But NO POLITICS, right? My bad!
Tsk, tsk--all 3 of you stand in formation and lash each other with wet noodles--oh wait--there's no sex here either...
I apologize! I should have posted "A Dilemma" in the humor forum.
But the great thing about this creation is that you can plug any VIP's name in and it loses almost nothing; and it is virtually timeless -- there's always a hurricane and flooding in FL.
the Contrarian