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Monday, September 05, 2005

Since I'm on the Language Beat, Anyway

Two very similar words in the English language: "jibe" and "jive." But they are not interchangeable.

The HyperDictionary defines "jive" primarily as a form of music. I would add a third definition, meaning roughly "bullshit." As in, "Don't give me that jive." Now, this usage would date you pretty quick as either Starsky or Hutch, but it seems Ok to me.

The HyperDictionary defines "jibe" in three ways, with the third one relevant for our purposes: "be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics." So you say, "These poll numbers don't jibe with [X theory]." Not "these numbers don't jive."

See an example of this easy mistake to make.

1 Comments:

At 5:51 PM, Blogger Stephanie said...

Kirk, is that you?

 

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