A GRAMMARIAN GRUMBLES

• “You are invited to the marriage of ... ” — marriage —
• late Norman loanword, abstract noun —
• the French language is littered with abstractions
• remote from the realities of life.
• Disparage insubstantial concepts, frown
• on Gallic philosophical constructions —
• come back to English: wedding, husband, wife.

• The Anglo-Saxon husband was the man
• about the house, a freeholder, and wife
• meant simply woman. Wedding — verbal noun —
• is swearing, before witnesses, an oath.
• Be Anglo-Saxon, pledge your word and will,
• to win a future-perfect for you both.
• So say: “Indeed, in deed, I will.”
• Now ask me to your wedding !

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