Between You and Me
Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:30 pm
Recently, in two works of fiction (a mystery novel and a statement from White House Chief of Staff John Kelly), I noted the word 'confidante' applied to a male. Traditionally, the final 'e' is a suffix indicating a female individual.
I mention it, not as an indication of what a clever lad am I, but rather as an interesting example of what you might call a love of exoticism, like pronouncing 'forte' as 'fortay'.
Another recent spelling-related coincidence I'll inflict on you: within about a day and a half, I saw in print 'mucus' in place of 'mucous', and 'estrus' for 'estrous'. In each case, it was the noun mistakenly used for the adjective.
Don't editors do anything any more (two words) but go to lunch?
I mention it, not as an indication of what a clever lad am I, but rather as an interesting example of what you might call a love of exoticism, like pronouncing 'forte' as 'fortay'.
Another recent spelling-related coincidence I'll inflict on you: within about a day and a half, I saw in print 'mucus' in place of 'mucous', and 'estrus' for 'estrous'. In each case, it was the noun mistakenly used for the adjective.
Don't editors do anything any more (two words) but go to lunch?