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!”