crape/crepe
In modern English “crape” refers to thin, crinkled paper or cloth. Black crape was traditionally associated with mourning. A crepe is a thin flat French pancake. Most Americans pronounce the two words the same, to rhyme with “ape.” If you want to spell it the French way, you’ll need to add a circumflex over the first E: crêpe, and pronounce it to rhyme with “step.” Even if you use the French form you’re likely to sound the final S in plural crêpes, though a real French speaker would leave it silent.
__________________
The new edition of Common Errors in English Usage is now shipping,
and it makes a great gift. When you order 5–9 copies and use the coupon
code FIFTEEN, you pay only $13.48 each. Order 10 or more for just
$12.15 each. All with free shipping in the US. Single-copy shoppers can
still use the coupon code and get the new edition for $15.
No comments:
Post a Comment