Antedating of "Split Infinitive"

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 8:36 PM, Shapiro, Fred <fred.shapiro at yale.edu> wrote:
>
> split infinitive (OED 1897)
>
> 1890 _Scots Observer_ 13 Sept. 439 (British Periodicals Collection)  The split infinitive ('to
> solemnly curse') is a captain jewel in the carcanet.

Would be curious to know the context for this ornamental metaphor.


--Ben Zimmer

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