Comments on: “Wreck,” “Wreak,” and Other [rek] Words

By: AnWulf

AnWulf — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:54:48 +0000

Speaking of reek … It also referred to incense and was a verb “to perfume with incense”:

rēkels (n.) [reekels] also rēkel …
(a) Incense, frankincense; ~ fat [OE recels-fæt], a vessel for incense; a censer, thurible;
(b) the smoke or aroma of incense; ~ smoke;
(c) med. frankincense used in ointments, etc.;
bastard ~, an inferior grade of incense;
fresh ~, whit ~, a superior grade of incense.

from OE:
inrêcels n. incense
rêcels (î, ý) m. incense, frankincense ['rekels'; rêc]
rêcelsian to perfume with incense

related to:
rêc m. smoke ['reek']
rêcan I. pret. 3 sg. rêhte to fumigate, expose to smoke [v. 'reak']
rêocan I. sv^2 intr. to emit smoke, steam, ‘reek’; = rêcan
rêocende (ê) smoking, steaming ['reeking']
wælrêc m. deadly reek

By: Bob Stiepock

Bob Stiepock — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:41:19 +0000

The pertinent phrase in your analysis regarding “wreak” is “…in modern useage….”; however, Merriam-webster’s online dictionary under “Pronunciation” offers both the long “e” as in “leak,” and the short “e” as in “speck.” And you can hear both pronounced on that site. Indeed, the long “e”(reek”) is offered first, but then, after a semi-colon, it has “;also, rek.” Also, my dog-eared copy of Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, has the identical entry. I’m 72 and I have certainly heard radio and tv announcers use “rek.” At least you were not smug about it.

By: Bob Stiepock

Bob Stiepock — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:39:45 +0000

The pertinent phrase in your analysis regarding :wreak” is “…in modern useage….”; however, Merriam-webster’s online dictionary under “Pronunciation” offers both the long “e” as in “leak,” and the short “e” as in “speck.” And you can hear both pronounced on that site. Indeed, the long “e”(reek”) is offered first, but then, after a semi-colon, it has “;also, rek.” Also, my dog-eared copy of Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, has the identical entry. I’m 72 and I have certainly heard radio and tv announcers use “rek.” At least you were not smug about it.

By: d e bartley

d e bartley — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:51:38 +0000

Hey I knew a guy named reeking Havick, I think he was Polish
No kidding.

By: Tarah Sweeney

Tarah Sweeney — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:45:43 +0000

No, I’m afraid I’m still clueless. Oy, this is frustrating. Although, I do think I’m starting to see a tiny glimmer of understanding shining though.

Please could someone explain when to use start and when to use begin instead?