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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE
Hi, I just had an argument with a friend on the phrase "Speak now or forever hold your peace", usually used in matrimonial proceedings. According to him, it ought to be "Speak now or forever hold your piece" which though not grammatically wrong, it in my opinion not the proper usage in the context of the original phrase.
Can someone shed some light on this please? I am absolutely convinced that its shd be PEACE and not PIECE.
THANKS!
Can someone shed some light on this please? I am absolutely convinced that its shd be PEACE and not PIECE.
THANKS!
Top answer
Hi, I just had an argument with a friend on the phrase "Speak now or forever hold your peace", usually used in matrimonial proceedings. According to him, it ought to be "Speak now or forever hold your piece" which though not grammatically wrong, it in my opinion not the proper usage in the context of the original phrase. Can someone shed some light on this please?
- Hi, I just had an argument with a friend on the phrase "Speak now or forever hold your peace", usually used in matrimonial proceedings.
- According to him, it ought to be "Speak now or forever hold your piece" which though not grammatically wrong, it in my opinion not the proper usage in the context of the original phrase.
- Can someone shed some light on this please?
- I am absolutely convinced that its shd be PEACE and not PIECE.
- It's 'peace'.
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24 Answers
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Hi,
I just had an argument with a friend on the phrase "Speak now or forever hold your peace", usually used in matrimonial proceedings. According to him, it ought to be "Speak now or forever hold your piece" which though not grammatically wrong, it in my opinion not the proper usage in the context of the original phrase.
Can someone shed some light on this please? I am absolutely con
I just had an argument with a friend on the phrase "Speak now or forever hold your peace", usually used in matrimonial proceedings. According to him, it ought to be "Speak now or forever hold your piece" which though not grammatically wrong, it in my opinion not the proper usage in the context of the original phrase.
Can someone shed some light on this please? I am absolutely con
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CliveHi,One of y
I refuse to speculate on what it would mean if someone at a wedding decided to 'hold their piece'.
Best wishes, Clive
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It's piece. As in, your oration. Hold your piece. If you were at peace with the situation it would not need to be held. Speak now or forever hold your piece implies that you have something to say on the matter, but if you do not share it at that time, you must hold it forever.
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Hi,
No. 'Hold your peace' is an archaic way of saying 'be silent'.
Consider this.
MINISTER) Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of *** to join this man, and this woman in holy matrimony. Not to be entered into lightly, holy matrimony should be entered into solemnly and with reverence and honor. Into this holy agreement these two persons
No. 'Hold your peace' is an archaic way of saying 'be silent'.
Consider this.
MINISTER) Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of *** to join this man, and this woman in holy matrimony. Not to be entered into lightly, holy matrimony should be entered into solemnly and with reverence and honor. Into this holy agreement these two persons
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I actually think it's "piece" as in "speak your piece now, or forever hold it".
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Speak your piece.
Hold your peace.
They are different words.
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/hold.html
Hold your peace.
They are different words.
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/hold.html
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This link gives the best justification for the correct word being "Peace."
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/32175
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/32175
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I have seen this question posted numerous times. Repeatedly, I see well-intentioned misinformation.
The correct rendition of this oft-invoked phrase is: "Speak now, or forever hold your piece," not "Speak now or forever hold your peace."
While it sounds pleasing to the ear, "Speak now, or forever hold your peace," is not grammatically correct nor are there idiomatic English refer
The correct rendition of this oft-invoked phrase is: "Speak now, or forever hold your piece," not "Speak now or forever hold your peace."
While it sounds pleasing to the ear, "Speak now, or forever hold your peace," is not grammatically correct nor are there idiomatic English refer
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Hi,
You would argue, then, that the traditional wedding vows in the Book of Common Prayer are worded incorrectly?
If any person here can show cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.
From
You would argue, then, that the traditional wedding vows in the Book of Common Prayer are worded incorrectly?
If any person here can show cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.
From
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The following excerpts from the dictionaries that say "hold your peace" is the correct expression:
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary:
hold your peace/tongue
(old-fashioned) to say nothing although you would like to give your opinion.
Random House Unabridged Dict
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary:
hold your peace/tongue
(old-fashioned) to say nothing although you would like to give your opinion.
Random House Unabridged Dict
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