While or whilst?

by **kate** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:43 am

Which word is correct? Does it depend on context? Or is it a case of choice?

by **Brazilian dude** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:47 am

I never use whilst. Maybe it's fancier?

Brazilian dude

by **KatyBr** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 1:19 pm

of BD no one has used it since 1412, except for vapid artsy types.

Kt

by **tcward** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 4:58 pm

I use it in jest...

-Tim

by **Stargzer** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:38 am

The American Heritage Dictionary lists it as "Chiefly British," so you're more likely to hear it on your side of The Pond than over here with Tim and KT. BD obviously learnt his English from us Uhmeruhcans, who don't speech none too good according to the Bilious British Curmudgeons.

Do not mock my manner of speech, fair KT, lest I be forced to skewer thee as I'd a brace or two of partidges, to be roasted o'er the coals . . .

:lol:

by **azhreia** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:20 am

KatyBr wrote:of BD no one has used it since 1412, except for vapid artsy types.

Kt

whilst I would agree with you normally, Katy, it's a word I hear not infrequently, and use with some regularity myself.

;-)

Azh

by **KatyBr** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:54 pm

And I, of course, am quaking in my sneakers, Larry, I wasn't aware you were a vapid artsy -type.

by **kate** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 11:04 am

I wasn't aware that I was either as I use and would choose the word 'whilst' frequantly, I 'm not sure whether i like being a vapid artsy-type :wink:

especially the Vapid bit.

by **KatyBr** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:57 pm

kate wrote:I wasn't aware that I was either as I use and would choose the word 'whilst' frequantly, I 'm not sure whether i like being a vapid artsy-type especially the Vapid bit.

Sigh, I must totally apologise to you Kate, I haven't, up until now, with your self ever heard anyone but aspiring poets, Andy Warhol, Truman Capote types use this word. I'm sure it's still acceptable usage, I just haven't heard others use it much. In future, since I am surrounded by so much invincible ignorance in my life, I will refrain from making such sweeping statements, maybe. sorry again.

Kt

by **tcward** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:13 pm

Sometimes it takes a sweeping statement to clear things up. Other times it just reveals where the real dirt lies.

-Tim
...constantly struggling with the sweepingness of my statements... often decide it's better off unsaid.

by **Hieronymous** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:15 pm

It depends on context

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