Sheath or Sheaf?

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Sheath or Sheaf?

  • Sheath

    Votes: 198 98.5%
  • Sheaf

    Votes: 3 1.5%

  • Total voters
    201

Macaroon

A bemused & bewildered
Jan 5, 2013
7,209
362
73
SE Wales
Languages evolve and english is a perfect example. Add to that the "digital age" where hundreds of new words, unknown 30 years ago, are quite acceptable.
Get used to the idea of translating. I think some synonyms are outstandingly dense/thick/stupid & foolish. The regional origins explain otherwise.
All sorts of words have been incorporated into english. There's 12,000 yr old word in Sanskrit that we all understand for "sugar." The word is "kandij." Just say it.

But you all are right. Mistakes in auditory perception can be perpetuated.

There's a huge difference between a flexible and ever changing vocabulary and the mangling of grammar and syntax.
 
I think 'sheaf' has slipped into usage from certain areas of the country whose inhabitants pronounce the 'th' as 'f' - like Sarf Landon!

English does evolve, in this way, quite a lot - an apron, for example, is actually a napron (relating to 'nap' - as in weave, or cloth).

We have grammatical oddities too. "...if I were you...". Why the plural, "were"? Surely it should be "...if I was you...".

It's "sheath", by the way!

But in a hundred years time - who knows?
 

Shinken

Native
Nov 4, 2005
1,317
3
43
cambs
The problem with criticising grammar is we then have to use perfect grammar ourselves; otherwise we become hippopotamus.
 

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