Saturday, July 23, 2016

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.

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