andrew@stc.UUCP (10/23/85)
In article <2600022@ccvaxa> preece@ccvaxa.UUCP (scott preece) writes: > >> /* Written 10:22 pm Oct 12, 1985 by gwyn@BRL.ARPA in ccvaxa:net.lang.c >> spelled x => ks sound as in "example" => ek sample >> spelled ct => kt sound as in "enacted" => enak ted >> >---------- >Ah, but the spelling 'connexion' is your average dictionary as a >variant spelling of connection, which has pretty much the same sound >as function, so it's not that far off. For all I know 'funxion' >may be a recognized spelling in Britain (where 'connexion' is >more common than in the US). Gentlemen, it's really very simple, the use of `x' in English derives directly from the etymology of the word: connexion derives from latin: con- and nectere, nexum to tie. Since this x in the gerund is rather rare, English has very few such words spelt with an x, whereas American tends to use x's frequently since it reduces the amount one has to write :-) ( hence `sox' == half-hosen, socks) Function on the other hand derives via Old French from Latin - functio, -onis, fungi, functus to perform no `x' as you will see. {Derivations from Chambers Etymological English Dictionary, New edition (1967)} -- Regards, Andrew Macpherson. <andrew@stc.UUCP> {aivru,creed,datlog,iclbra,iclkid,idec,inset,root44,stl,ukc}!stc!andrew
weltyrp@rpics.UUCP (Richard Welty) (10/29/85)
> Andrew Macpherson. <andrew@stc.UUCP> writes: > > Gentlemen, it's really very simple, the use of `x' in English derives > directly from the etymology of the word: > > connexion derives from latin: con- and nectere, nexum to tie. > > Since this x in the gerund is rather rare, English has very few such > words spelt with an x, whereas American tends to use x's frequently > since it reduces the amount one has to write :-) > ( hence `sox' == half-hosen, socks) > and if the Boston Red Sox started up a farm team in Argyle, we could call them the ... :-) (sorry) (actually, the two teams were originally called the Red Stockings and the White stockings, but that is a matter for net.baseball, if such should ever come to pass ...) -- Rich Welty "P. D. Q.'s early infancy ended with a striking decision; at the age of three, P. D. Q. Bach decided to give up music" - Prof. Peter Schickele, from "The Definitive Biography of P. D. Q. Bach" CSNet: weltyrp@rpics ArpaNet: weltyrp.rpics@csnet-relay UUCP: seismo!rpics!weltyrp
kenny@uiucdcsb.CS.UIUC.EDU (11/03/85)
Andrew Macpherson. <andrew@stc.UUCP> writes: > > Gentlemen, it's really very simple, the use of `x' in English derives > directly from the etymology of the word: > > connexion derives from latin: con- and nectere, nexum to tie. > > Since this x in the gerund is rather rare, English has very few such > words spelt with an x, whereas American tends to use x's frequently > since it reduces the amount one has to write :-) > ( hence `sox' == half-hosen, socks) > Then how come we don't have conduxion? Dux, ducere is another case where the 'x' turns up in the gerund.