Comments on: For Want Of A Letter … Bated, Baited

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:10:41 +0000

You’re welcome, Chris.

I remember watching Mork and Mindy, Chris, but I don’t remember that expression!

By: rick kennerly

rick kennerly — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:40:22 +0000

“I’m waiting with a worm on my tongue”–Mork
“huh, what does that mean?”–Mindy
“I’m waiting with bated breath”–Mork

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:54:03 +0000

Guilty. I’ve used baited where I shouldn’t have. Thanks for the tip!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:32:28 +0000

Glad to be of help, Heidi.

David, according to the Oxford Dictionary of Etymology, ‘bate’ is a shortened form of ‘abate’. ‘Bate’ was used as a verb in its own right from the 14th century. ‘Archaic usage’ referred only to the meaning ‘to lower in estimation or amount’ – hope that clears up any confusion.

By: David

David — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:30:12 +0000

Actually, “bate” is just a short form of “abate” (not an archaic usage), which any good dictionary would tell you.