ABOUT-WORDS-L Archives

From: Lee Daniel Quinn <>
Subject: whilst/while
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 16:28:41 -0500

You know Tony, it is amazing how we see and hear our own words.

About whilst, you say: "is easier to say and perhaps a little
nicer to hear."

If I had anything to say about the tonal properties of whilst
and wile, I would choose while. To my ear, the "st" ending is
rather harsh, and the "ile" is more pleasant sounding.

It makes one see language in even ANOTHER light!

___________________________________________________________________
GrampsQ,
who has just realized that the tyranny of the stupid is
propagated by the constitution with the First Amendment
guaranteeing free speech.
Lee Daniel Quinn
===================================================================




At 02:23 AM 03/14/2001 -0700, you wrote:
>> From: "Willard Solie" <>
>
>> This morning I read a U.S. Government placard warning unauthorized
>personnel away from a restricted area. On the placard appeared the following
>sentence: "You are advised that all personnel and any property under their
>control may be subjected to search and seizure whilst on this
installation."What
>about that word "whilst"? Would "while" have been more acceptable?
>
>I see it as a matter of assonance - "whilst on" is easier to say and perhaps a
>little nicer to hear, than "while on". IMV it's akin to the French "-t-" in
>constructions like "y'a-t-il": which is only there to avoid a nas'y glo'al
stop
>between "a" and "il".
>
>
>
>--
>Tony
>
>
>

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• whilst/while by Lee Daniel Quinn <>