0
Usenet Posted 21 years ago
English in UK
Dilemma
I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily typing) and am more than half a century old. I am convinced that when I was a very young person 'dilemma' was spelt 'dilemna', the odd 'mn' as in 'autumn' is what struck me at the time. I was shocked later (it isn't a word one bumps into often) to find that it was spelt 'dilemma', so either the cunning devils have changed it over the years or I imagined the whole thing. Anyone any ideas on this?
Top answer
[nq:1]I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily typing) and am more than half a century old. I ... the cunning devils have changed it over the years or I imagined the whole thing.
- [nq:1]I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily typing) and am more than half a century old.
- I ...
- the cunning devils have changed it over the years or I imagined the whole thing.
- [/nq] Well, if you are not particularly familiar with 'dilemma', you are unlikely to know about 'lemma'.
- I can't account for the origin of your confusion - perhaps you are mispronouncing the word?
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
11 Answers
0
[nq:1]I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily typing) and am more than half a century old. I ... the cunning devils have changed it over the years or I imagined the whole thing. Anyone any ideas on this?[/nq]
Well, if you are not particularly familiar with 'dilemma', you are unlikely to know about 'lemma'. I can't account for the origin of your confusion - perhaps you are misp
Well, if you are not particularly familiar with 'dilemma', you are unlikely to know about 'lemma'. I can't account for the origin of your confusion - perhaps you are misp
00
[nq:1]I am convinced that when I was a very young person 'dilemma' was spelt 'dilemna'...later (it isn't a word one bumps into often) to find that it was spelt 'dilemma',[/nq]
Unlikely, given the etymology (people knew Greek back then):
"Dilemma:
1523, from L.L. dilemma, from Gk. dilemma "double proposition," a technical term in rhetoric, from di- "two" + lemma "premise, anything
Unlikely, given the etymology (people knew Greek back then):
"Dilemma:
1523, from L.L. dilemma, from Gk. dilemma "double proposition," a technical term in rhetoric, from di- "two" + lemma "premise, anything
00
[nq:1]I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily typing) and am more than half a century old. I ... the cunning devils have changed it over the years or I imagined the whole thing. Anyone any ideas on this?[/nq]
I think that your second alternative is the correct one.
I think that your second alternative is the correct one.
00
[nq:1]I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily typing) and am more than half a century old. I ... the cunning devils have changed it over the years or I imagined the whole thing. Anyone any ideas on this?[/nq]
OED contains to reference to the "dilemna" spelling, and says that the word "dilemma" is linked with "lemma".
Mike Stevens
narrowboat Felis Catus II
Web
OED contains to reference to the "dilemna" spelling, and says that the word "dilemma" is linked with "lemma".
Mike Stevens
narrowboat Felis Catus II
Web
00
[nq:1]I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily typing) and am more than half a century old. I ... the cunning devils have changed it over the years or I imagined the whole thing. Anyone any ideas on this?[/nq]
Perhaps you're suffering from ammesia in the autumm of your years.
Phil C.
Perhaps you're suffering from ammesia in the autumm of your years.
Phil C.
00
[nq:1]OED contains to reference to the "dilemna" spelling, and says that the word "dilemma" is linked with "lemma".[/nq]
What form does the reference take? Does it say "chiefly US" or similar?
John Briggs
What form does the reference take? Does it say "chiefly US" or similar?
John Briggs
00
[nq:2]OED contains to reference to the "dilemna" spelling, and says that the word "dilemma" is linked with "lemma".[/nq]
[nq:1]What form does the reference take? Does it say "chiefly US" or similar?[/nq]
My guess is that the "to" in Mike's post was intended to read "no".
John Hall "(It was) so steep that at intervals the street broke into steps, like a person breaking into giggles or
[nq:1]What form does the reference take? Does it say "chiefly US" or similar?[/nq]
My guess is that the "to" in Mike's post was intended to read "no".
John Hall "(It was) so steep that at intervals the street broke into steps, like a person breaking into giggles or
00
[nq:2]OED contains to reference to the "dilemna" spelling, and says that the word "dilemma" is linked with "lemma".[/nq]
[nq:1]What form does the reference take? Does it say "chiefly US" or similar?[/nq]
Sorry - meant to type "no reference".
Mike Stevens
narrowboat Felis Catus II
Web site www.mike-stevens.co.uk
No man is an island. So is Man.
[nq:1]What form does the reference take? Does it say "chiefly US" or similar?[/nq]
Sorry - meant to type "no reference".
Mike Stevens
narrowboat Felis Catus II
Web site www.mike-stevens.co.uk
No man is an island. So is Man.
00
[nq:2]I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily ... I imagined the whole thing. Anyone any ideas on this?[/nq]
[nq:1]Perhaps you're suffering from ammesia in the autumm of your years. Phil C.[/nq]
Dammed dilemmas...
[nq:1]Perhaps you're suffering from ammesia in the autumm of your years. Phil C.[/nq]
Dammed dilemmas...
00
[nq:2]I have always been good at spelling (but not necessarily ... I imagined the whole thing. Anyone any ideas on this?[/nq]
[nq:1]I think that your second alternative is the correct one.
[nq:1]I think that your second alternative is the correct one.
0
Related Questions