Friday, March 16, 2012

English at its root and some common mistakes heard on TV.

Any person using the word 'tenDerhooks' instead of the correct 'tenTerhooks' please take note.  The word is derived from 'tener' to hold. The hooks in question, while used to tenderise meat, were installed for holding and hanging. A tenterhook is a gadget for hanging anything you want, not necessarily meat.  To be 'on tenterhooks' means to be 'in a state of being on hold'.

It mystifies me as to why the Catholic Church did away with the Latin mass as it made going to church less a waste of time.  It formed the basis for good (almost insidious) linguistic capability!  And for churchgoers and altar boys, the repetition was invaluable.  Sadly, schools no longer teach Latin and Greek roots as a component of English studies.  I certainly am grateful now for my childhood church routine as I am struggling with learning Spanish, but at least can read books and newspapers etc. just through applying the rules I learned years ago in English classes.  

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