Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#208457 12/24/12 10:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
P
stranger
OP Offline
stranger
P
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
Thanks Anu. Until you prompted me to look it up, I'd always thought the English version of the word - 'behove' (rhyming with 'grove' and 'stove')- was 'correct' and the American version - 'behoove' - was a corruption. It turns out that 'behoove' is the historical form and 'behove' is a version derived from reading the word in books and mispronouncing it.
Incidentally, can anyone think of another transitive verb that is only ever used with the subject 'it'?

Peter Everett #208459 12/24/12 05:53 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Welcome Peter. Stick around, you'll get an informed answer.


----please, draw me a sheep----
Peter Everett #208463 12/24/12 09:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
E
eht Offline
stranger
Offline
stranger
E
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1
I would bet that 'behoove' is probably of Norse origin. The Swedish word for 'need' is 'behova' (with an umlaut over the 'o'), while there doesn't seem to be anything similar in German.

eht #208467 12/25/12 12:29 AM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,916
Likes: 2
Welcome to you too eht!


----please, draw me a sheep----
eht #208478 12/25/12 12:38 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Hi, but there ís in Dutch. The Dutch word for behoove is 'behoeven' but I think it's hard to tell whether it came to us from the North or from across the Channel.
German bedürfen? True, this word seems way off.

eht #208490 12/26/12 09:58 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Though I admit the chances are more for Old Norse, eht. In the 9th century Dorestad, an important trading centre in the midst of our country at the time was often raided by the Vikings. Some words must have stuck.
While the English never set foot on our shores save to help end the second WW. With them trade wars took place at see. smile

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorestad

(link shrinker seems to have changed; does not work for me)

Peter Everett #208491 12/26/12 10:41 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
OED dates its first citation for behoove in English at 890. This is, I think, a little early for it to be from Old Norse. Maybe gooofy or Nuncle Z could correct or confirm this.


Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5