Latin is a language,
As dead, as dead can be.
First it killed the Romans,
And now it’s killing me!
Sometimes it’s a wonder that the English language doesn’t go the same way!
I shared an image about the English language on my Facebook page yesterday, and it sparked some interesting conversation between the boyfriend and I over drinks in the pub, not to mention the seeking out of this favourite childhood poem of mine, which he found rather amusing given he’d never heard it before.
The English Language
Some words have different meanings
and yet they’re spelled the same.
A cricket is an insect,
to play it – it’s a game.On every hand, in every land,
it’s thoroughly agreed,
The English language to explain,
is very hard indeed.Some people say that you’re dear,
yet dear is far from cheap.
A jumper is a thing to wear,
yet a jumper has to leap.It’s very clear, it’s very queer,
and, pray who to blame
For different meanings to some words,
pronounced and spelled the same?A little journey is a trip,
a trip is when you fall.
It doesn’t mean you have to dance,
whene’er you hold a ball.Now here’s a thing that puzzles me:
musicians of good taste
Will very often form a band -
I have one around my waist!You spin a top, go for a spin,
or spin yarn maybe -
Yet every spin’s a different spin,
as you can plainly see.Now here’s a most peculiar thing,
’twas told me as a joke -
A dumb man wouldn’t speak a word,
yet seized a wheel and spoke!A door may often be ajar,
but give the door a slam
And then your nerves receive a jar -
and then there’s jars of jam.You’ve heard, of course, of traffic jams,
and jams you give your thumbs.
And adders, too, one is a snake,
the other adds up sums.A policeman is a copper,
it’s nickname (impolite!)
Yet a copper in the kitchen,
is an article you light.On every hand, in every land,
it’s thoroughly agreed,
The English language to explain,
is very hard indeed!Harry Hemsley, 1962
