Question...

Oho, don't want to march up and down the square? Right, off you go then.

All right, I'll stop. I wouldn't want to make you angry...

Exactly. English is a bastard language (in the technical, not the abusive sense), the result of a Latinate tongue (Anglo-Norman) being superimposed on a Germanic (Anglo-Saxon) base. The Vikings didn't have much to do with it linguistically.

The result is we have probably the most screwed-up spelling of any major language in the world. The upside is that we've jettisoned most of the largely superfluous grammar. To see what we might have had to contend with check out German - or even worse, Hungarian.

Are you that English even more screwed-up spelling than it already has have had might, and more similar to German been if we rid of superfluous grammar over time hadn't gotten implying?

You are absolutely right about the Vikings, PhilK, I only brought them up as a light hearted retort to Alef's friendly dig about English spelling. He's from a country where they have two separate languages (both Norwegian!), one for everyday use and the other for best, so he's entitled to have his say on these things. They also have a couple of other languages available, Hognorsk for when the want to be really snobbish and Riksmal for when they want to be Danes.

David Crystal has written a very entertaining history of English spelling called 'Spell It Out' which is well worth a read if you are interested in that sort of thing. Surprisingly there is quite a logical rationale behind the vagaries.

Finally, an old chestnut that might be unfamiliar to two or three of you - what common English word can be spelt ghoti?

I believe the word is 'fish'. I have never used it and don't know anyone who has but on occasion it has come up on some very hard crossword puzzles.

CS

gh = F as in rough
o = I as in women
ti = sh as in station

It's a smartly shaped Indian beard.

Hmmmm... Hognorsk...isn't that the Norwegian school of wizardry?

If you have commented on here & I haven't commented on a story of yours it's because your user name and Author name don't match & I can't find you.
I posted here asking for your author names, but my post is no longer here...
so I guess I'll assume that's not ok to ask...(?)...on a story board...
or, I accidentally deleted it?
But regardless didn't want your feelings hurt, not knowing why I didn't get to you.

TheEnglishMaster

that is really cool!
I have never run across this on a crossword, but now if I do
I will blow everyone's minds! Hahaha...

If they ask me how I knew that, I will have to say I learned it on a spanking storyboard...

Who would have thunk it?

FYI - you can cross reference any name on by looking under 'Info' button above, go to 'Members list' and find the name. Once you found the name it will give you the 'authors' name at the far right side if the member is a writer.

Cheers CS