Being in the majority doesn't make you right

Dictionaries record how people use words, usually without being judgemental (or even judgmental) if the usage is common among a sufficient number of people—'cleave' for example can be correctly used to mean 'sever' or 'join'. That so many people in the USA choose (I use the word loosely) to elide the word 'caramel' down to two syllables is regrettable—infuriating if your name should be Carmel—but sheer weight of numbers means that from a American lexicologist's viewpoint such usage cannot be said to be wrong. It does sound semi-literate to me, which may in fact be the case. Elsewhere in the world it may just be taken as ignorance. However, if you 'choose' to spell the sugar product known as 'caramel' using the spelling 'carmel' there is no defense that will withstand even the most cursory examination. The best I can offer in defense of Danielle is that I have been assured by the people to whom those confectionery apples in the picture were re-gifted that they were delicious for those who like that sort of thing.

The map above records the frequency of use for the two and three syllable pronunciations of 'caramel'. If you visit the Dialect Survey Maps website produced by Joshua Katz you will learn things from which normal, civilized people should be afforded protection by legislation and law enforcement.

 Elsewhere in the fruit world, the Kingcots are growing at a remarkable rate.

The boss has decided to plant a raspberry bush…

…and a currant bush (black? red? unknown, but there are already tiny fruits)…

…and a pomegranate tree. Progress updates will follow.

The dark evergreens you see in the background of the previous photograph
are usually in shade, but they were lit by the setting sun on Saturday evening.

On Sunday we went exploring: the trail ended beneath these cliffs at a wild campsite.

The dry stream bed was a temptation, but too rough for the impotent, blind, halt, and withered.
Those waiting for the moving of the water would be particularly disappointed: John 5 for details.

Even so, a thoroughly enjoyable hour spent checking out the sky and the desert floor.

Black rocks and lava residues are much in evidence.

I was hoping to discover a 'bomb' formed by a spinning chunk of hot lava, but a modern
clay pigeon fragment, looking for all the world like an Ancient Greek potsherd, was the closest find.

Lichen, which I associate with wetter climes, was a surprise find.

Like many desert plants, these were too prickly to venture close.

In the world of plant defense this must be the nuclear deterrent of prickles.

These delicate flowers were waving so vigorously in the wind that a sharp picture was very difficult to obtain.

This is typically ground cover in that area.

Fewer cactuses than I expected: harder to spot that you might guess even when coming into flower.

Seconds after I took this picture, the purple bush was almost impossible to locate, when not glowing in the sunlight.

Another plant fighting for survival on the arid desert floor.

The cactus blooms look ready to burst forth any day now.

Heading back into town, the effects of irrigation are obvious.

Lush blooming bushes all over town.

Lots of flowers in gardens.

A few secret delights for those who are prepared to seem nosey.

It is interesting to observe daily the development of various plants.

This display shows the 'Buckled Wheel of Misfortune' and the 'Deep Shovel of Bitter Regret'.

The moon was out above the knobbly trees.

Some blue remembered hills with a horse.

XL. Into my heart on air that kills

INTO my heart on air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?

That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

~ A.E. Housman (1859–1936) 'A Shropshire Lad'  (1896)

A neighborhood embowerment of which I never tire.

Zen garden with deliberate weed—I have seen the owner weeding, so the plant must be tolerated, even if not deliberate.

 

--------------------oOo--------------------

The blog author almost never checks emails or comments.