Sound and Sense, 49

We’re moving next to the homophone: a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air. So … contronyms are words that have contradictory meanings (sanctiion = approve and disapprove; homophones sound alike but to not mean the same—and often are not spelled the same, either.

1. cite (verb): to mention; to quote an authority or author

2. sight (noun): the ability to see; a thing regarded as worth seeing

3. site (noun): location, usu. of something specific

You ought to cite authorities

For all those thoughts that you will use

In your attempt to write and please;

It isn’t right that you abuse

Your readers with such plagiarized

Assessments of those special sites

Where history—those moments prized—

Occurred or of those gorgeous sights

You saw while hiking through the Alps

Or sailing down the fabled Nile.

Reviewers love to take fresh scalps,

And they’ll take yours (in ferine style)

If you refuse to cite the source—

For all those sites and sights you’ve seen—

Where you researched your book. Of course,

Reviewers, known for savage spleen,

Will find another flaw to flag,

And all your citing for those sites

And sights of which you're wont to brag

About will reappear as slights.