On Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 10:18 AM, Ramakrishnan Sundaram < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 2008/10/14 Ramakrishnan Sundaram <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > 2008/10/14 Deepa Mohan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > > >> Why is it that the word "cords" is always mixed up, even by erudite > writers, > >> with the word "chords"? "Chords" are a combination of notes; "cords" are > >> strings, and "vocal cords" are what human beings have...an organ where > the > >> string-like features are "twanged" to produce sound and speech. > > > > From Latin "chorda" - "cord" > > And interestingly, your "chord" has this entry: > > Main Entry: > chord > Etymology: > alteration of Middle English cord, short for accord > Date: > 1608 > : three or more musical tones sounded simultaneously > > So, vocal and spinal chords use the "correct" Latin derivative > spelling, "chords" as in music is just Elizabethan misspelling. > > Ram > Ah. I stand corrected, thank you! Just off to use my chordless gadgets now! :) Deepa.
