Stationery

[Dr. Goodword]

• stationery •

Pronunciation: stay-shê-ne-ri • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: 1. Paper for writing letters, usually accompanied by matching envelopes. 2. Supplies and equipment for writing, such a paper, pens, pencils, ink, and so forth.

Notes: Today's Good Word is a reminder that only one letter separates the noun stationery from the adjective stationary "fixed, not moving". A stationer is either someone who sells books and stationery or the shop they sell it from.

In Play: This word can only refer to writing supplies: "The office stationery cupboard was like a sweet shop for Rhoda Book." The meaning is so narrow as to preclude any figurative use: "Madison wrote his letter of complaint on personal stationery he purloined from an office mate."

Word History: Stationery comes from the same source as stationary, Latin stationarius "stationary, stationed". Peddlers roamed about in the Middle Ages, so the distinction between those who roved and were stationary, that is, had shops, arose. Bookshops owned by universities were some of the first shops, hence the more specific sense. For a long time both spellings referred to both things, then someone thought it would be a good idea to use the two spellings to distinguish the noun from the adjective. Stationarius is the adjective belonging to statio(n) "standing (firm)", a noun derived from stare "to stand". The root of stare appears in too many words, borrowed and native, to list here. (Today's Good Word came from long-time contributor Tony Bowden of London on e-stationery. )

[David Myer]

I'm not sure that it can't be used figuratively.

For example "take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves". For me, look after the pounds; the pennies are mere stationery.

[LukeJavan8]

some elementary school teacher told us the way to keep
the two word apart was to remember 'pen' has an 'e' in it,
as does 'stationery' (pen and paper).

[damoge]

We were taught to remember the difference by remembering that "stand" had an a, as does "stationary", so the OTHER one was to write on.
Seems a good idea to me to teach both.

[LukeJavan8]

Never heard that one, does seem a good idea to teach both.

[David Myer]

I don't really get this discussion. Why do you have to teach tricks? Teach them that a stationary vehicle is stopped and stationery is the stuff you buy at the stationers for writing and such.

I'm not sure this one is actually a problem. Yes people get it wrong but that's because they have never been taught. Mnemonics, tricks and rhymes can be useful for remembering complex or lengthy things, but sometimes it is just easier to learn the fact, isn't it?

Desperation. Separation. Desperate. Separate. One with an e in the middle and with an a. How do you know? Were you ever taught? And did you learn a trick to remember which was which? I think I just learned how to spell each of them.

Mind you, I do think it's important to learn at the right stage of your brain development. Picking these things up later in life is much harder. You may even need a trick to remember!

[LukeJavan8]

Having been a teacher for 30+years I am going to
say we re going to have to agree to disagree.

[David Myer]

OK. I don't think I have ever taught anyone anything so I am in no place to disagree. I bow in deference, Luke.

[LukeJavan8]

Don't bow to anyone. You make a monstrously good point.
Why can't we just teach? I totally agree. If only "they" would
just learn. The a/e thing was taught me by some elementary
school teacher. For some reason I remember it that way and
have used it along with other little anagrams, etc. We have
so many 'helps' like "i before e', but it has dozens of exceptions.
And there are nine different ways to pronounce -ough (cough,
bough,through, etc), so I used anything to get it thru thick
skulls; had to so parents would not complain. I totally agree,
if only we could just teach, as you said; but I add: if only they
would just learn.

[David Myer]

I certainly sense some frustration here, Luke. And I don't envy you your career. But I do have deep respect that you hung in there despite the frustrations. Of course the job has its rewards too - when someone does actually learn something, for example.

[LukeJavan8]

With any endeavor there is going to be frustration, I guess.
But, yes, to see the light in a kid's eyes when they 'get' it is
awesome. Thanks.

[damoge]

Awww, Luke! Thanks! You reveal yourself to be a true teacher.
I was dismayed when my then 3rd grader showed me the computer program that was supposed to teach him math. The steps between question and answer were all so small that the response to each was, appropriately, "of course."
I was not surprised to find at the end of the year that few of those in the class who had used this program (they were generally assigned it while the teacher was working with those who needed more time for the main lesson) were proficient in the lessons they had "learned" that way.

No "AHA!" moments generally means less retention, less understanding, at least that's what I have seen.

[LukeJavan8]

I think for most teachers whatever tool works is a tool put into
one's toolbox. I've actually picked up some from Disney
and Nickelodeon. Appreciate it Deb.