• Published on

    CREDIBLE/CREDITABLE

    Picture

    (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.”

    ​
  • Published on

    MASSIF/MASSIVE

    Picture

    (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.”

    ​
  • Published on

    IMMIGRATE/EMIGRATE

    Picture

    (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.”

    ​
  • Published on

    ingenious/ingenuous

    Picture

    ​(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.”

  • Published on

    ORDINANCE/ORDNANCE

    Picture

    (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.”

    ​
  • Published on

    FORBIDDING/FORBIDDEN

    Picture
    (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.”

    ​