Monday, June 13, 2016

Sound and Sense, 9



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.

dust verb

1. to add fine particles.
2. to remove fine particles.

The time has come—I really must
Set time aside to clean and dust.
Upon our furniture—a crust.

**

The breadboard you should lightly dust
With flour. Otherwise the dough
Will stick, your bread be less robust,
And you’ll be like that bird from Poe:

Your baking will be such a chore,
And you’ll be croaking, “Nevermore!”

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