Sound and Sense, 20

Our English dictionary has in it many words whose sounds and meanings can … confuse. In this next series of doggerel, I’ll be writing about several sorts of such words.

The first—the contronym: a word, says the Oxford English Dictionary, that has “two opposite or contradictory meanings.”

Earliest published use: 1962.

oversight noun

1. monitoring

2. failing to oversee

She was in charge of oversight

Throughout the company.

But she messed up—and her excuse?

“An oversight, you see?”