This week I've been chatting with a member about the etymology of entomology, the use of apostrophes and other fun stuff... and coincidentally just yesterday the editor of Webster's was on Talk of the Nation. They were discussing a variety of things that made me realize that "proper" English is often just an opinion.

It's all been such great fun I'm going to quit my job and look on monster.com for a high paying etymologist position to apply for :)

Snuck: While admitting that other dictionaries have it, Webster insists is NOT a word and it will not be in the next edition... but he did admit that if it becomes popular/more accepted, it would be included with a note such as "formerly not acceptable" or otherwise noted as new. The odd sounding "sneaked" is proper according to him.

Moisten, Often, Wrestle... all should be silent T.

Cleave/Cleave: There is no special term for words that can have opposite meanings.

Irregardless: Use of this word has always irritated me... and the guy made me feel better to affirm that it is not acceptable because it is basically a double negative.

Anyone know of any good sites that expose/explain stuff like this?

One of my favourites:

Common Errors in English (http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html)

Moisten, Often, Wrestle...all should be silent T.


this one got me... I always pronounce often with the t.


ever read sin and syntax? Nothing to do with origins, but a light, short book... basically how construct good writing, interjected with bits of fun stuff... 275 pages.

poking fun at our attempts to engage the mind - caravan - "it's a car! it's a van! no, it's a parade!"

at osha - "egress" was described as "ways of exit access and the doors to exits to which they shall lead shall be so designed and arranged as to be as clearly recognizable as such" which was changed to "an exit must be free of signs or decorations that obsure its visability"

to haiku describing boring computer messages (vanity fair)... like

everything is gone
your life's work has been destroyed
squeeze trigger (yes/no)?

or

the site has been moved
we'd tell you where, but then we'd
have to delete you

or

chaos reigns within
relfect, repent, reboot.
order shall return.

so much of it is other stuff collected that they either like to tease about or find interesting, some of it is simply ex of how to make bad writing better.

English, oddities and mysteries (http://sandradodd.com/english)

"Playing with words makes them come to life."

Also -- http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/Home.html

English, oddities and mysteries (http://sandradodd.com/english)

"Playing with words makes them come to life."

Also -- http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/Home.html

;) I knew you'd be along to pipe in on this one you mad etymologist, you :p

Any language is odd sometimes