The most puzzling three-letter word

Piste   (Photo by John Philipp)

Religionists who speak English would probably say that “God” is the most puzzling three-letter word.  After all, who God is has puzzled folks for thousands of years.

Nevertheless, Oxford English Dictionary editors (and it doesn’t get more proper than that) have made a different choice.  They have decided that the word “run” is even more confusing.

Citing “645 usage cases” for its “verb form alone,” lexicographers point out that “context is everything.”  A run to the store is quite different from a run on the bank.  If you run up a bill, you might find your money running out.  If you run too fast, you might trip and create a run in your stocking. A runny nose might cause you to run through your tissues.

This could run on and on, but patience would run out fast, thus precipitating a run-in with readers.

Resources

http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/the-most-complicated-word-in-english-is-only-three-letters-long/ar-BBzEQDA?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=BHEA000 

Copyright April 20, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved