More on "calvary"
Your Name
ROSESKES at AOL.COM
Tue Apr 24 15:38:02 UTC 2007
I found no entry for "calvery" (with an e) in the American Heritage
Dictionary at dictionary.com.
Besides the misspelling, I believe this is a malaproprism, since the
military fighting unit is a "cavalry" and not a "calvary." The main entry for
"calvary" (usually capitalized) follows:
_Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)_
(http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna.html) - _Cite This Source_
(http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=calvary&ia=luna)
Cal·va·ry
(https://secure.reference.com/premium/login.html?rd=2&u=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/calvary) /ˈkælvəri/ Pronunciation Key -
Show Spelled Pronunciation[kal-vuh-ree] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA
Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ries for 2, 3. 1. Golgotha, the place where Jesus was
crucified. Luke 23:33. 2. (often lowercase) a sculptured representation of
the Crucifixion, usually erected in the open air. 3. (lowercase) an
experience or occasion of extreme suffering, esp. mental suffering.
_American Heritage Dictionary_
(http://dictionary.reference.com/help/ahd4.html) - _Cite This Source_
(http://dictionary.reference.com/cite.html?qh=calvary&ia=ahd4)
None of the 10 entries, in fact, gives any military connection whatsoever.
The only connection I can think of between a cavalry and a calvary, is that
having a cavalry charge at you might induce extreme suffering, mental and
otherwise!
Rosemarie
If I was ever tested for attention deficit disorder, I don't remember it.
In a message dated 4/24/2007 9:25:38 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM writes:
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Poster: Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at YAHOO.COM>
Subject: More on "calvary"
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The Wikipedia article on Gen. William T. Sherman informs us that,
"He fought with the 3rd Florida Calvery in the Mexican war."
Note "e."
JL
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