More on "calvary"

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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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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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