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Amusing verses that shine a light on mostly medical and grammatical topics

​When proofreading with an eye to perfection, there really is no substitute for good research. While one is always guided by the client's stated preferences regarding style, there is also a baseline understanding that serves as the foundation against which required differences are compared.

I will be offering some home-grown verses here that may be helpful for keeping certain basics in mind while adapting to the guidelines of a specific project, whether under the umbrella of CMOS, AP, APA, MLA, or other guidance.

They are not intended to be comprehensive regarding any particular issue. Rather, the purpose is to draw attention to identifiable aspects that are worth noting and make them memorable.

I think of these verses tongue in cheek as "Grammar Grist." Others that you find here will be more along the lines of "Medical Musings"; some might even qualify as a combination of the two.

It'll be fun. So, let's do it. Share the cheer everywhere.


© 2022 - 2026 Medillumina 
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(A proofreader's note regarding “regimen” and “regiment”)

Words “regimen” and “regiment” as nouns coexist,
The “t” of the latter forever distinct.
Their meanings are different, but “regiment” as verb
May hint a sure closeness and show the nouns linked.

For “regiment” in action a system will bring
And “organize rigidly” with order as end;
“Assigning to a regiment” or setting one up,
“A military unit” it sometimes will lend.

And thus we have “regiment,” a “military clutch,”
And “regimen” proper, its soundalike near.
Of “plan systematic” this “regimen” will tell,
With meanings in governance and elsewhere less dear.

“Regime” much more likely of “government” will speak,
Of “government in power” or “period of rule.”
Though many of its senses with “regimen” do match,
The management areas get most of the fuel.

“The concept of order in ‘regiment' the verb 
Is echoed quite subtly in nouns like 'regime.'
With ‘plan systematic' and 'government real,'
There's order in 'regimen,' a thing we esteem.”

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PRECEDENTS/PRECEDENCE
(A proofreader's note regarding “precedents” and “precedence”)

The plural noun “precedents” comes from “precede”
To “precedence” mimic though clearly distinct.
While “presidents” and “presidency” nimbly abide,
Our words of the day here are sometimes unlinked.

For “precedents” are things that “preceded” in time;
As “similar actions,” they “happened before”;
Creating “examples,” progressing to “rules,”
Becoming “the usual”—such ends, maybe more.

But “earlier occurrence” is seen as apart,
That quality selfsame deserving of name.
To take up the mantle is “precedence” near,
Not limited to time as the terms of its game.

With “precedence,” often “priority” is theme
In terms of arrangement, importance, or rank;
It still honors time, a considerable thing,
And caters to ceremony—all of that swank.

“He cited six 'precedents' bolstering his case.”
“To now break with 'precedent,' the voters would hate.”
“Your safety takes 'precedence' as always on base.”
“Her 'precedence' as Duchess was faultless to date.”

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DELIQUESCE/ACQUIESCE 
(A proofreader's note regarding “deliquesce” and “acquiesce”)

By “deliquesce” and “acquiesce”
A suffix twixt is shared,
The e-s-c-e sameness there
To introduce what's aired.

This ending meaning “to become”
Doth paint ahead a goal;
In “deliquesce,” it's “liquid,” yes;
The other, “quiet” soul.

Thus “acquiesce,” quiescent-sort,
Of “quiet acceptance” tells,
A loath compliance without fuss
Oft featured in its spells.

“Become dissolved” to fluid state
Is “deliquesce” at heart;
To waste away or be destroyed;
To slowly fall apart.

“The contents of the saucer blest
Were left to deliquesce;
She felt she had to acquiesce
Despite the chance of mess.”

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(A proofreader's note regarding “practical” and “practicable”)

Since “practical” and “practicable” are practically alike,
Partaking with “practice” an origin shared,
At core in their meanings are actions and deeds;
“Ability” therein they both have ensnared.

While “practical” will qualify with “actual” or “real,”
Contrasting “theoretical” as largely its deal,
It also has “able to be put into use”
As one of its meanings that others may steal.

The culprit in chief is our “practicable” word,
With “feasible” and “usable” to limit its sense.
As noun or to persons it never will serve,
Not being, like “practical,” surrounded by friends;

For “practical” yet may “exam” give a name
And signify “virtual” or “engaged with the act.”
Including these meanings and “practicable” too,
Makes “practical” broader—and safer, in fact.

“As legal professional of scholarly repute,
He cut out the word that his client found cute;
For 'practical,' yes, there were reasons to root;
The 'practicable' label, though, never would suit.”

“Advising his clients to 'practicable' eschew,
The legal environment requiring its due,
He steered them to 'practical,' pointed and true,
Avoiding the pitfalls that else would ensue.”

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(A proofreader's note regarding “credible” and “creditable”)

“Incredible” and “credible” do naturally relate
By virtue of the spellings and their parentage as well.
Approaching them in cousinship is “creditable” bland,
Pretending to be “credible” and hoping there to sell.

Aside from stricter meanings in the area of finance,
It's usually restricted to “praiseworthy” as its kind;
The rarer play of “creditable” as “worthy of belief”
Doth give it yet an image like to “credible” in mind.

This other sense of “creditable” is doubtable for some,
While “credible” a step beyond “believable” will go.
With “good enough for effectiveness” as possible intent,
There's also then “convincing” as a meaning it may show.

Let “creditable” represent "deserving true of praise"
Aside from when one's credit in a business sense is meant.
If “belief” is more the context, think of “credible” to start,
Avoiding the confusion that these words may tend to send.

“His prospects were precarious where he lay upon the ledge,
Matched only by the vista so incredible in view.
He risked his life for photos that might credible be judged
Though 'creditable' was the goal in every effort new.”

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(A proofreader's note regarding “massif”and “massive”)

The “massive” that's known in the English we speak
Reveres a precursor in massa for “mass.”
This Latin ancestor gave birth to “massif,”
Which led to our “massive” but no more, alas.

Restricted is “massive” to adjective roles,
With shades of “impressive” by size or by weight.
Its meanings as “large” beyond structure will go;
“Severe” and “extensive” may also relate.

“Massif,” in full contrast, is always a noun,
Although the French cousin descriptor may play:
A block of the crust of our planet the Earth
Or mountain mass major, whichever you say.

In our humble language, “massif” stands alone
Without roles descriptive like “massive” at large.
Perhaps consolation then “mastiff” provides,
A giant called “gentle” by trainers who judge.

"The monstrously massive dog at the front gate
Did cause the sore hiker to wonder his fate;
Massif had been conquered, this memorable date,
But here was this mastiff to gloating deflate.”

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(A proofreader's note about “immigrate” and “emigrate”)

In “immigrate” and “emigrate,”
Migrate is given theme,
With people moving place to place,
Their eyes agleam with dream.

All immigrants and emigrants
Are moving in or out;
They in-migrate and out-migrate;
Perspective it's about.

Thus “emigrate from” is the norm
When saying “emigrate,”
With “immigrate to” much preferred
If latter reference made.

The “e” so sharp in “exit” then
Is key to keeping straight;
When “leaving from,” not “coming in,”
Make “emigrate” your date.

“They emigrated from their homes,
Bright emigrants with hope;
On shore they stood as 'immigrants,'
As seen from native scope.”

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​(A proofreader's note about “ingenious” and “ingenuous”)

“Ingenious,” “ingenuous” would seem to be twins,
Alike in each feature except at the hinge;
It’s only at “i” and conversely at “u”
They manage disjoining and fail to impinge.

They both have origins relating to birth,
But meanings divergent make different their ways.
“Ingenious” at times will “inventiveness” claim;
“Ingenuous,” alas, may “naivety” grace.

Remembering the difference is simple by sound;
“Ingenious” when spoken will “genius” emit.
“Ingenuous” instead may of “genuine” remind,
A dose of the “candid” and “guileless” to wit.

“Our Jeanie and Jenny were partners alone,
With 'Jeanie Ingenious' as jack-of-all-trades;
And if a new prospect was spiky on phone,
Then 'Jenny Ingenuous' was calming in spades.”

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(A proofreader's note about “ordinance” and “ordnance”)

With “put in order” at its base, 
Word “ordinance” arose:
Decree or practice, law, or fate,
Provisions for martial blows.

The regimented life of troops,
All ready and precise,
Would clip the word and “ordnance” make,
Thus cut and trim to rights.

The taller word here “ordinance”
Produced the shorter child.
Decreed it was through natural speech,
The “i” let go as wild.

Hence “ordnance” from “ordinance”
For military tools was birthed;
In vivo not in vitro made,
With “in” a clue unearthed.

“By ordinance, each village trained
With ordnance on hand.
The natives claimed it preordained,
From gods an order grand.”

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(A proofreader's note about “forbidding” and “forbidden”)

“Forbidding” and “forbidden” share a parent in “forbid,”
From whom they take the notion of commanding as they go;
“Forbid” will mean to hinder or to order strong against,
Command delivered actually or as the end would show.
 
Synonymous with “outlaw” and “prohibit” and “enjoin”
And likewise unto “interdict” or “block” or “ban” to boot,
“Forbid” can take the meaning of such orders in effect,
Its taller children given thus  more senses at their root.

So think then of “forbidding” as just “tending to forbid,”
Inclusive though of “menacing” and “threatening” and “grim.”
“Forbidden,” the descriptor of the object of “forbid,”
Identifies the item there commanded as too dim.

“Free climbing on the tower was forbidden by the school,
But Alex and his pals believed surmounting would be cool.
The route was not forbidding but the goal an envied jewel
Since 'master the forbidden' was for them a special rule.”

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Authors

Literary posts by Duane Beaumont, M.D., Ph.D.

Photos and paintings by Patrice Beaumont

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