The Last Word

ER — 7/15/2006 12:46:43 PM (archived)

According to the 1972 Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, (yes ,I actually own a copy of this beast!) "vehicle" derives from the Latin "vehiculum" - to carry. This seems to be born out by the appearance of the word in several other Romance languages. I know in Spanish the word means the same as in English. The first English definition of the word is a pharmacological/medical one, a material used to carry an active ingredient, as in mixing up medicine with a pleasant vehicle to disguise the flavor. The first English usage dates from 1612.
The earliest recorded usage in the familiar sense we normally employ, a device for conveyance, is from 1656.

The OED states that the standard pronunciation IS the one which pronounces the "h", although "this is now unusual in Britain, although it appears to be still the standard pron. in the United States."

But what do they know? Brits still insist on saying "orientated".

The whole thread (36 posts)

Typographical Digression - ER - 7/14/2006 8:53:27 PM
- My best friend... - alcaray - 7/17/2006 9:50:10 PM
- Vehicle - SDAI-Tech1 - 7/15/2006 7:51:02 AM
  - The Last Word - ER - 7/15/2006 12:46:43 PM
    - What do they know? - Eri - 7/16/2006 12:43:12 AM
    - It was worth a guess. - SDAI-Tech1 - 7/15/2006 6:13:39 PM
      - re: It was worth a guess. - Eri - 7/16/2006 12:56:33 AM
- re: Typographical DigressionAnd, with apologies to Marge Simpson, colourful leaves on trees are not foilage. (n/t) - Tony - 7/15/2006 1:43:15 AM
- I must confess.. - FrankC - 7/15/2006 12:59:35 AM
  - Like fingernails grating on blackboard (n/t) - Eri - 7/16/2006 12:55:35 AM
  - I don't think vee hick ull is an accent or regional thing... - ER - 7/15/2006 1:15:09 AM
    - I reckon you is right. - REB - 7/18/2006 8:18:30 PM
    - I think we've been here before, but... - Fox - 7/16/2006 1:42:38 AM
    - I thought the English plural was "You guys" ;-) (n/t) - Eri - 7/16/2006 12:57:56 AM
    - My favorite redneck phrase - FrankC - 7/15/2006 4:19:03 AM
- re: Typographical Digression - Tom Brosz - 7/14/2006 10:59:24 PM
  - I know it's meant to be an insult, but I just couldn't figure out how. (n/t) - ER - 7/14/2006 11:04:07 PM
    - Not really. - Tom Brosz - 7/14/2006 11:41:56 PM
      - re: Not really. - ER - 7/15/2006 12:10:04 AM
        
        it's a deliberate reframing - Robert - 7/15/2006 3:29:26 AM
        
        We've been framed! - ER - 7/15/2006 4:04:43 AM
        
        Unfortunately the concept of the loyal opposition..... - Publius - 7/15/2006 1:32:36 PM
        
        You're preaching to the choir, Mr. Publius. - ER - 7/15/2006 3:01:11 PM
        
        Very good perceptions ER - Lindy - 7/15/2006 3:18:18 PM
        
        By any other name... - Tom Brosz - 7/15/2006 8:38:41 AM
        
        "Words mean what I want them to mean" - Robert - 7/15/2006 4:25:42 PM
        
        re: "Which principle...?" - Fox - 7/16/2006 2:57:53 PM
        
        Nice try. - Tom Brosz - 7/15/2006 5:13:23 PM
        
        "Tom, please tell me: Which of those principles is not under attack by the radical Right?" - Robert - 7/15/2006 7:18:14 PM
        
        Devil, details, etc. - Tom Brosz - 7/16/2006 6:28:06 AM
        
        Burning the straw man - Robert - 7/16/2006 10:06:16 PM
        
        LOL! - Tom Brosz - 7/17/2006 2:15:49 AM
        
        I'm right behind you in line, Robert! (n/t) - Eri - 7/16/2006 1:21:34 AM
- I don't want a pickle... - Fox - 7/14/2006 10:34:02 PM
  - Now you are reaching into regional linguistic sub-.standardisms....... - Publius - 7/15/2006 12:44:20 AM
    - *Snicker* (n/t) - Eri - 7/16/2006 1:23:10 AM

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