Why English Spelling is Dum(b)
At the spritely age of 102, Ed Rondthaler, founder of Photo Lettering, Inc, demonstrates visually why English language spelling is dum(b). It’s a humourous introduction to the whole debate about English spelling reform and well worth watching.
Update: Mr Rondthaler passed away August 19th, 2009. RIP.
Inexorable
Root: Latin, in-exorabilis, meaning not and entreat.
Definition: Impossible to stop or prevent.
Examples:
- After the death of his wife and child in such tragic circumstances, his already fragile state of mind inexorably deteriorated.
- The ever-curious nature of the human spirit leads inexorably to new discovery and technological advances.
- The lawyer was inexorable, there was nothing that could be done to prevent the lawsuit.
twj says:
I always associate the word inexorable with a sense of inevitable creeping. It has a fatalistic and irrevocable tone to it, and can’t be used lightly. You can use it to describe a person’s state—if they can’t be persuaded or influenced, but it’s one of those words that you really have to mean.
It also reminds me of a nightmare I had where I was paralysed and lying in the path of a runaway steamroller. I woke up from ennui waiting for the inexorably creeping steamroller.
Perdition
Root: Latin, per-dare, meaning to destruction and put.
Definition: A state of eternal punishment and damnation in the after-life.
Examples:
- He was sure that his sinful ways had paved his path to perdition.
- The willful raping of Earth’s resources and our negligent pollution are creating a future perdition for the human race.
twj says:
A cheeky word this. Powerful. Of course, a word like this is going to be appropriated by the Abrahamic religions. A nice twist is to use the word to describe a current state of affairs, suggesting the damnation is wrought on ourselves through our actions or inactions.
Loth | Loath
Root: Old English, lath, meaning hostile, spiteful.
Definition: Reluctant, unwilling.
Examples:
- The Prime Minister was loth to let petrol prices rise once again with elections on the horizon.
- He was loth to spend another night in this damned house, with these damned in-laws.
twj says:
This word can also be spelt Loath, but we’re all for brevity here at theWORDjunkie.com.
I’m not happy with the definition that the dictionary proffers. I’d never use the word loth to indicate reluctancy. And to synonomise* it with the word unwilling is injust. Loth carries a strong emotion with it when it’s used. I wouldn’t say, “She was reluctant to part with her baby”, I’d say, “She was loth to part with her baby”. Feel me? It’s obvious from the root of the word.
What do you think?
* Yes, I just verbed an adjective. My meaning is, “To make a word synonymous with another.” I imagine it popping up in conversation like this, “Don’t you synonomise me with that piece of trash!”
Of course, it is very close to the word sodomise.
Quandary
Root: Perhaps from Latin, quando, meaning when.
Definition: A state of uncertainty or puzzlement/perplexity about how to proceed in a difficult situation.
Examples:
- Now that Lara had split up with her boyfriend, she was in a quandary with regard to whether she should tell him about the baby.
- I can never decide. Everything is so difficult, I’m always in a quandary.
twj says:
The root of this word is not known for certain, and that’s a pity. I’d love for it to refer to a well-known historical incident involving an elephant and a castle tower in a town called Quandary in the south of France. But alas, its roots are to remain hidden in the darkness of time.
It’s not quite synonymous with the term dilemma, though it shares a similar notion. Dilemma has more of a dichotomous feeling to it, either/or, whereas Quandary refers, in my mind, to the state a person experiences when faced with a difficult situation. One could be in a quandary over a dilemma, but not in a dilemma over a quandary. I’m sure it’s possible, but we’d have to puzzle and piece that one together. Can anyone give an example of being in a dilemma over a quandary?
Fulminate
Root: Latin, fulminat–, struck by lightning
Definition: To explode violently (emotionally or medically).
Examples:
- The introduction of a tax on sex would certainly give rise to nation-wide fulmination.
- Tests would have revealed the fulminating appendicitis in time to save the patient.
- He fulminates against capitalism and globalism whenever politics arise in a conversation.
twj says:
I found this in the dictionary: The earliest sense was [to denounce formally,] and later [issue formal censures] (originally said of the pope).
I guess the early sense implied that being struck by lightning was a direct message from Zeus saying no. He he. I like it, and I guess I’d take it that way too.
In proclaiming himself greater than god many feared he risked divine fulmination.
Welcome to theWORDjunkie
Hey everyone and welcome to theWORDjunkie. I’m hoping to make this site a repository of wonderful words, as well as touching on other subjects dear to my heart, like linguistics, writing and typography. I make no claims of authority, I’m just happy to learn from this endeavour.
My love of words goes back many years. I can remember as a kid how curious it was that some words had other words buried inside them, or the ‘illogical’ spelling rules that seemed to pervade the English language. I wanted to know why, to know more, and I’m delighted to say that this quest is still not at an end.
If I write something that’s simply plain wrong, please let me know, and if you have something to contribute, you’re more than welcome to get in touch or leave your nugget of wisdom in the comments.
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