Ah, (he said pusilanimously) 'twas a Deliberate Mistake to see if anyone
noticed (which you did).
As if anyone will believe that.
Quoths the OED3:
Forms: 4-5 sentre, 6 centur, (centure, centrie, centry), 6- center, 4-
centre. a. F. centre (It., Sp. centro), ad. L. centr-um:
The prevalent spelling from 16th to 18th c. was center, in Shakespeare,
Milton, Boyle, Pope, Addison, etc.; so the early dictionaries, Cotgr.
('centre, F., a center'), Cockeram, Phillips, Kersey, and all the thirty
editions of Bailey 1721-1802; but the technical volume of Bailey (Vol. II.)
1727-31 and the folio 1730-36, have centre; 'an interleaved copy of the
folio of 1730 was the foundation of Johnson's Dictionary', which followed it
in spelling centre; this has been generally adopted in Great Britain, while
center is the prevalent spelling in the United States.
There's also (in parallel) metre and meter.
Mock not the afflicted -- a combination of bilateral brain dominance and
dyslexia often causes me to invert the distinction between qualitative and
quantitative metrics.
By taking thought, I may someday be able to add a cubit to my stature, but I
doubt whether I will ever reliably be able to tell left from right. Or up
from down, north from east, or various other intriguing conundrums with
which reality seems to be freighted for such as me.
A Rotating Rodent
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joanna Boulter" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: message from Patrick and newd yearagings -conjurations
> Are you sure you have those two spellings (center/centre) round the right
> way? I know you're a teensy-bit sensitive about spelling, and therefore
> would say nothing, were it not that you have made a point of stating
> which is the English way.
>
> joanna
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robin Hamilton" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2005 2:17 PM
> Subject: Re: message from Patrick and newd yearagings -conjurations
>
>
>> <<
>> I also could've sworn that there was a colloboration btn PMcM &
>> Joodles coming out soon, or was that the wine?
>>
>> Roger
>>>>
>>
>> Oh yes indeedy. Among other Christmas frivolities, I was engaged in a
>> first cut of Patrick's poems. Should be out before too long, if Mz.
>> Amerika manages the illustrations.
>>
>> Projected 40 (effectively 36) pages, A5 pamphlet center stapled (note the
>> correct {English} spelling, 100 gm paper, typeface still to be decided.
>> 160 gm cover.
>>
>> Possibly a centrefold (Playboy spelling} of Vile Boris with a staple
>> through his navel.
>>
>> A Hampstead Still Snowed-Up In Darlington
>>
>> PS -- Just added Himself's latest Snapshot to the mix.
>>
>> R. Rodent
>> Prop. Phantom Rooster Press.
>>
>> Our Motto: Don't hold your breatrh
>
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