Sound and Sense, 3

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.

bill  noun

1. Payment

2. Invoice

He said that he was feeling ill—

He needed bucks—a certain pill.

I checked my wallet—found a bill—

But not sufficient for old Phil.

“A five?! That’s really next to nil!”

I thought that he was somewhat shrill—

And told him it was time to chill.

And shoved him then right into Jill,

Who’d recently come up the hill

To fetch a pail of water—still!

**

My wireless bill seemed awfully high—

But I just paid it, willingly.

For I have now become a guy

Who loves to stream on his TV!