I before E

[Tom Zurinskas]

Good one.  I'll pass it along to the Spelling Society, who say the rule is too filled with exceptions as to be warranted.

Tom Zurinskas, USA - CT20, TN3, NJ33, FL5+
see truespel.com



>
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender: American Dialect Society
> Poster: Brian Hitchcock
> Subject: I before E
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> I goes before E (at least that's what they told me)
>
> So my grief was quite brief, I was quickly relieved.
>
> I retrieve this rule often, because I believe.
>
> Now you tell me it's just for the sound of plain old E!
>
> (and Keith, Neil and Sheila don't even agree?!)
>
>
>
> I suppose that when hearing the sound I or A in
>
> a word, E goes first (if it goes without sayin')!
>
> Though I won't feign the requisite weight or the sleight,
>
> nor the might to heist even the smallest of feists,
>
> still I can't fathom Einstein, in dark hills of night,
> deigning to ride neighbors' sleighs to their heights.
>
>
>
> I'm proficient in science, my conscience is ancient,
>
> My babies will never get rabies or scabies.
>
> My species is special, my financiers prescient,
>
> (Deficient? No, conscientiously patient!)
>
>
>
> When conceiving all ceilings that I might perceive,
>
> I receive great feelings, for I am not deceived
>
> when I find the C followed by E, then by I.
>
> But I yield to unwieldy shields on the frieze
>
> (for, in bas relief, there aren't any Cs!)
>
>
>
> Pleistocene was an epoch, seismographs plot earth's tones,
>
> Sleight of hand's for magicians, and gneiss is just stone.
>
>
>
> Now, I won't be deceived by the IE in plurals--
>
> parties and policies, gravies and such--
>
> Nor by -ier and -iest, they just tell me how much
>
> my rules are comparatively better than your rules.
>
>
>
> There are a few more you might want to be aware of -
>
> not as exceptions, but something to treasure:
>
> Weird foreign sheiks seize a weir at their leisure,
>
> O'Reilly and Feingold paint in plein aire for pleasure,
>
> Seismologists show gaiety, spontaneity in seizures.
>
> (but honestly, why would we even care, Luv?)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Brian Hitchcock
>
> Technical Writer
>
> Manhattan Beach, CA
>
>
>
> "Never suck on a mischievous friend's codeine-soaked handkerchief."
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
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