Jan 20
Is that really how you spell “inaugural?”
Cats: words|Not to take any of the shine off the thing, but does anyone else find the spelling of this word a little – oh, I don’t know – dysfunctional?
I mean, inaugural? Inauguration?
I had to look it up in a dictionary with real paper in real time. And I’m still not satisfied.
Shouldn’t it be inaugiril or inaugoral or inaugration?
But inaugural? No, sorry. That’s just wrong.
Maybe we should just chuck the whole inaugural thing and call it something else, something with a slightly more sensible spelling.
Something like, say, coronation.
Hmmmm. Has a certain ring to it, don’t you think?
Yes, that works.
Coronation.
January 20th, 2009 at 12:22 am
I think that the Americans have finally learned to throw in an extra U now and then. I say huzzah!
January 20th, 2009 at 1:07 am
Actually, we call it “The End of A Scare-a.”
January 20th, 2009 at 3:31 am
I agree, it just doesn’t look right even when it’s spelled right.
But there is no way you are going to talk an American into using “Coronation”. Not going to happen.
Join the fight against metrics. We don’t want no foreign rulers!
Doc
January 20th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Barbara, Only U could come up with that one
Cormac, nice. makes me think: limerick, this off the top of my head so plse forgive
There once was a woman called Tara
but everyone thought her quite scara
when goodbye she did bid
she lost an eye lid
And could not longer wear mascara
Doc, I didn’t even think. To say coronation. That is practically treason, innit?
January 20th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
It would seem to be related to the word “augur”, wouldn’t it? Wiktionary says “inaugural” is from the French “inaugurer”, which in turn is from the Latin “augurare” (to take omens). I guess it’s the Romans’ fault it looks weird.
Also, hi everyone. Been lurking around the blog awhile; I find it enjoyable and witty.
January 20th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
At least this way they can name a street after it without risking any international copyright infringements.
January 20th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Safe to say that we’re just glad its day has come?
Now about that word February….
January 20th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Coronation! Ha Ha. (What could be crown him with? Is there a flower or herb that represents hope?)
You are right, though. Inaugural is difficult to say AND to spell.
January 20th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Even if we can’t spell it, did you ever hear our last president try to pronounce it?
January 21st, 2009 at 3:39 am
If Barbara is right, does that mean that Canadians spell it “inagraul?”
January 21st, 2009 at 9:32 am
Ryan, welcome to GT and thanks for de-lurking. Also for the research. Things will – sorry, have to do this – augur well with this sort of depth in the comments section of GT
Dick, that’s what I love about you – always thinking practical.
Lisa, and the word infrastructure. There is much work to be done.
Bee. Beeeeee! Welcome to GT. Let’s crown him with honey from a Beeeee!
Chance, you know, I will miss some of those misunderpronunciations.
BeckEye, no but we should.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:03 am
1569, from Fr. inauguration “installation, consecration,” from L. inaugurationem (nom. inauguratio) “consecration, installment under good omens,” from inaugurare “take omens from the flight of birds, consecrate or install when such omens are favorable,” from in- “on, in” + augurare “to act as an augur, predict”
I think you’re right, let’s scrap the word completely. The etymology doesn’t make any sense anymore.
January 21st, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I was referring to it as “shindig”.
January 21st, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Sacred, as you say confusing. Still the etymology is interesting.
Bubs, so much easier. Thank you.
January 21st, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Maybe it should just be an obamanation- it works two ways
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
tagbagger, i like that – both ways.