We have quite a few words and expressions which are mis-spelled so often that the incorrect version becomes the accepted one. One such is "with baited breath". We are all familiar with the word "abate" which means to reduce in amount or intensity, to moderate. "Bate" is a contraction of "abate" through a process called aphesis, loss of the unstressed first vowel; but it has the same meaning. Abated, or bated, breath occurs when one holds one's breath as a result of being startled, anxious, or frightened; as in "You took my breath away", meaning "you frightened me". The expression has come to mean a state of anticipation. Instead of being short of breath unexpectedly, one anticipates the condition. And, to compound the error, those unfamiliar with "bate" but familiar with "bait" have also changed the spelling. In reality, nobody who uses the idiom is short of breath. It is simply an expression used to stress one's emotions. Instead of just saying, "I await your arrival"; we add "with bated breath" to indicate that we are really anxious to see you. For an example of the correct use of "with baited breath" we must read Geoffrey Taylor's verse in his poem Cruel Clever Cat: Sally, having swallowed cheese, Directs down holes the scented breeze, Enticing thus with baited breath Nice mice to an untimely death. Richard Emlin Reed Wesley Chapel, FL

Oh my goodness!!! Richard, that poem is SOOOO horribly funny!!!! LOL! And, I wanted to thank you for all these lessons you are posting!!! I collect them all in one email, and eventually will save as a word document!!! I love reading these, and one day, maybe it will all sink in and I will be able to actually use more of them. Ever since you told us about the whirlwind, storm, as Wirbelwind, or Wirbelstrum, I've been using that, because I'm always going around here like a whirlwind, as Mike puts it. I correct him and tell him the proper way to say it :O) LOL!!!!! :o) Lynn PS I hope I have them correct!!!! when I say them to him :o) Richard Emlin Reed wrote: We have quite a few words and expressions which are mis-spelled so often that the incorrect version becomes the accepted one. One such is "with baited breath". We are all familiar with the word "abate" which means to reduce in amount or intensity, to moderate. "Bate" is a contraction of "abate" through a process called aphesis, loss of the unstressed first vowel; but it has the same meaning. Abated, or bated, breath occurs when one holds one's breath as a result of being startled, anxious, or frightened; as in "You took my breath away", meaning "you frightened me". The expression has come to mean a state of anticipation. Instead of being short of breath unexpectedly, one anticipates the condition. And, to compound the error, those unfamiliar with "bate" but familiar with "bait" have also changed the spelling. In reality, nobody who uses the idiom is short of breath. It is simply an expression used to stress one's emotions. Instead of just saying, "I await your arrival"; we add "with bated breath" to indicate that we are really anxious to see you. For an example of the correct use of "with baited breath" we must read Geoffrey Taylor's verse in his poem Cruel Clever Cat: Sally, having swallowed cheese, Directs down holes the scented breeze, Enticing thus with baited breath Nice mice to an untimely death.

Richard, I also believe there are some who either wittingly or unwittingly have added to the mis-spelling by paraphrasing the saying to "with bait for breath" which describes some people we all know. Ron Vuxta Fallon, Nevada -----Original Message----- From: padutch-life-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:padutch-life-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Richard Emlin Reed Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 8:08 AM To: padutch-life@rootsweb.com Subject: [PD-LIFE] With Baited and Bated Breath We have quite a few words and expressions which are mis-spelled so often that the incorrect version becomes the accepted one. One such is "with baited breath". We are all familiar with the word "abate" which means to reduce in amount or intensity, to moderate. "Bate" is a contraction of "abate" through a process called aphesis, loss of the unstressed first vowel; but it has the same meaning. Abated, or bated, breath occurs when one holds one's breath as a result of being startled, anxious, or frightened; as in "You took my breath away", meaning "you frightened me". The expression has come to mean a state of anticipation. Instead of being short of breath unexpectedly, one anticipates the condition. And, to compound the error, those unfamiliar with "bate" but familiar with "bait" have also changed the spelling. In reality, nobody who uses the idiom is short of breath. It is simply an expression used to stress one's emotions. Instead of just saying, "I await your arrival"; we add "with bated breath" to indicate that we are really anxious to see you. For an example of the correct use of "with baited breath" we must read Geoffrey Taylor's verse in his poem Cruel Clever Cat: Sally, having swallowed cheese, Directs down holes the scented breeze, Enticing thus with baited breath Nice mice to an untimely death. Richard Emlin Reed Wesley Chapel, FL ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Richard, I am still in awe of you.? Connie -----Original Message----- From: Richard Emlin Reed <remlinr@tampabay.rr.com> To: padutch-life@rootsweb.com Sent: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:08 am Subject: [PD-LIFE] With Baited and Bated Breath We have quite a few words and expressions which are mis-spelled so often that the incorrect version becomes the accepted one. One such is "with baited breath". We are all familiar with the word "abate" which means to reduce in amount or intensity, to moderate. "Bate" is a contraction of "abate" through a process called aphesis, loss of the unstressed first vowel; but it has the same meaning. Abated, or bated, breath occurs when one holds one's breath as a result of being startled, anxious, or frightened; as in "You took my breath away", meaning "you frightened me". The expression has come to mean a state of anticipation. Instead of being short of breath unexpectedly, one anticipates the condition. And, to compound the error, those unfamiliar with "bate" but familiar with "bait" have also changed the spelling. In reality, nobody who uses the idiom is short of breath. It is simply an expression used to stress one's emotions. Instead of just saying, "I await your arrival"; we add "with bated breath" to indicate that we are really anxious to see you. For an example of the correct use of "with baited breath" we must read Geoffrey Taylor's verse in his poem Cruel Clever Cat: Sally, having swallowed cheese, Directs down holes the scented breeze, Enticing thus with baited breath Nice mice to an untimely death. Richard Emlin Reed Wesley Chapel, FL ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwe! ----- Original Message ----- From: <twerppy@aol.com> To: <padutch-life@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 12:24 PM Subject: Re: [PD-LIFE] With Baited and Bated Breath > > Richard, I am still in awe of you.? Connie