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July 20, 2010
Pet Peeve

I’m seeing this more and more. People confusing “aisle” and “isle”. Example: “Every time I go to the grocery store I have to visit the isle with the BBQ sauce.” (This is not the only example. Only the most recent. And it’s different people.)

I am fairly certain that your grocery store does not have isles.

Homophone confusion. Grr.

For reference, here are the definitions from Merriam-Webster. Note the differing etymologies.

aisle
Pronunciation: \ˈī(-ə)l\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English ile, alteration of ele, from Anglo-French, literally, wing, from Latin ala; akin to Old English eaxl shoulder, Latin axis axletree — more at AXIS
Date: 15th century
1 : the side of a church nave separated by piers from the nave proper
2 a (1) : a passage (as in a theater or railroad passenger car) separating sections of seats (2) : such a passage regarded as separating opposing parties in a legislature b : a passage (as in a store or warehouse) for inside traffic

isle
Pronunciation: \ˈī(-ə)l\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ile, isle, from Latin insula
Date: 13th century
: island; especially : islet 1


Comments

I would like for my isle to have BBQ sauce. As long as it is wielded by some hot native who is serving me something from the grill. And fruity alcoholic beverages.
Posted by Sara at July 20, 2010 06:29 PM






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