In the early days of my editing career, I sat on the prescriptivist side of the linguistic fence, rather than the descriptivist side. The grammatical “rules” I followed were etched in stone – if not directly onto my eyeballs – and when I applied them, I felt as though I was restoring order in a chaotic world.
I even had the cheek to chuckle at people who made mistakes. How could they not know that it’s “all intents and purposes” not “all intensive purposes”? How could they not pick the right homophone from “there”, “they’re” and “their”?
Well, I’m pleased to report that the times they have a-changed, and I’m no longer the grammar snob I once was. Yes, I still find joy in fixing up a dangling modifier or misspelt word. It’s a big part of my job, after all. But I’m much more receptive to the reality that language is constantly evolving and new versions of old phrases are being cemented in our vernacular.
Here are a few interesting ones. Which versions do you use?
The proof is in the pudding
This saying started out as “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”. It means you can only judge the quality of something when you have tasted – or tested – it.
“I’ve fixed the issue with the email server. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so please log in again to check your access.”
It’s a bit of a mouthful to say, and it’s hardly surprising that it’s been shortened over time. The shorter version brings a shift in the testing element of the original. For some, it implies that testing is not needed.
“You’ve fixed the email server.”
“Yep, the proof is in the pudding!” *gestures towards the server*
This version still hinges on the word “proof”, so the meaning remains intelligible (at least to a fluent English speaker). And for me, it conjures up a rather delightful tableau of family around the dinner table, searching for a penny in the Christmas pud.
Of course, when the saying first came into use (around the 14th century, according to the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations), the pudding probably would not have been a sweet dessert, but rather a savoury sausage.
That begs the question
"That begs the question" is a phrase that hasn’t changed its wording, but it has definitely shifted in meaning. Today, more often than not, it’s used to mean “that raises the question”.
“The prime minister says our economy is thriving. But that begs the question: why is the unemployment rate rising?”
We can find the roots of the saying in logic and reasoning, where it means something else entirely. If you’re accused of "begging the question", you’ve probably made a circular argument.
This happens when the premise(s) of your argument assumes the truth of your conclusion, rather than giving evidence to support it. You essentially restate your conclusion as your evidence.
“My government has delivered on its promise of economic prosperity because the economy is thriving.”
“That’s rather begging the question, Prime Minister. Where’s the data to back up that claim?”
Whenever a language uses the same phrase to mean 2 different things, there’s a risk of misunderstanding. But in this case, it’s likely that the context will make the meaning clear.
You have another thing coming
This phrase is a little like “all intents and purposes” because it relies on clear enunciation. The original saying is all about a “think”. But an innocent mishearing and you’re left with a “thing”.
“If he thinks he can sell this company out from underneath us, he’s got another thing coming.”
Using “thing” here makes sense in a way. It’s a tangible noun yet it has an appealing lack of specificity, so it can apply no matter the subject.
But the trick is to remember that “think” can function as a noun too. Yes, it’s probably more commonly used as a verb: “I think this, that or the other”. But did your parents ever scold you as a child and implore you to “have a good think about your behaviour”?
The verb and the noun come together in the original expression, which is effectively proclaiming that the subject can “think again”.
"If he thinks [verb] he can sell this company out from underneath us, he’s got another think [noun] coming.”
Worse comes to worst
We’ll finish up with a phrase that has a handful of variations. The version you use will likely depend on where you live and which version of English you speak.
The first known use was “the worst come to the worst” in a work by Thomas Nashe back in the 1500s. And that version is still very common (although without the subjunctive "come").
If the worst comes to the worst and the rain intensifies, we’ll hold the press conference in the foyer.
But Robinson Crusoe later popularised “the worse comes to the worst”. And you might well use, or hear, other variations with or without the article “the”, such as these:
If worst comes to worst
If worse comes to worst
If worse comes to worse
If worse comes to the worst
Some of these versions might seem more logical, or at least more grammatical, than others. The important point to consider, though, is whether the meaning is clear.
I’d say that it is: If things get really bad, what will we do?
And the best response to that question is just as clear ... Have another serve of pudding.
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