Wreck, Wreak, and Other [rek] Words

Wreck, Wreak, and Other [rek] Words Wreck, Wreak, and Other [rek] Words Wreck, Wreak, and Other [rek] Words By Maeve Maddox I saw this in an article about caring for a laptop: If you store your laptop in the vehicle for any period of time, keep in mind that the extreme temperature ranges within the vehicle could wreck havoc with your laptop. Its not the first time Ive seen the word wreck substituted for wreak in the expression wreak havoc. Both words have similar origins, but in modern usage they are pronounced differently and have different meanings. wreak [reek] v. to bring about, inflict, as in wreak havoc, wreak vengeance wreck [reck] v. to cause ruin or damage wreck [reck] n. something that has been ruined The Old English verb wrecan meant to drive, drive out, avenge. Old Norse had a similar word. In Anglo-French these words evolved into a noun, wrec meaning goods cast ashore after a shipwreck, flotsam. The word reckless has a different origin. The Old English word reccan (past tense rohte) meant to care, to trouble about, heed. From it came a noun, rece meaning care. A reckless person doesnt care what happens. The word reckon comes from another OE verb spelled reccan (past tense reahte). This one meant to expound, relate. One still talks about reckoning accounts, or, in a metaphorical sense, the Final Reckoning. I reckon is a dialect expression for I guess, I suppose. Then theres reek. reek [reek] n. a bad smell reek [reek] v. to emit a bad smell The Old English word rec meant smoke from burning material. Reek acquired the sense of stench in the 17th century. So, back to the words that inspired this article: the next time you want to wreak havoc, dont wreck your credibility by misspelling or mispronouncing wreak. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Cost-Effective vs. Cost-EfficientConnotations of 35 Words for Funny PeopleHow Long Should a Synopsis Be?

Free Essays on Clara Schumann

Very often, the music of women composers is condemned to particular concerts â€Å"For Women Composers Only†. Rather than promoting their creativity, this practice gives the impression that women composers need special assistance, that their music is inferior, and that they require affirmative action. Instead, their music should be allowed to stand on its own, interdependent with music of men composers, especially their colleagues: those with whom they interact and share influence. Clara Schumann performed extensively and studied piano, voice, violin, instrumentation, wrote, and published music. Her playing was characterized by technical mastery, interpretation, and a depth of feeling. All her compositions date from 1853 or before, including twenty-nine songs, three partsongs, four pieces for piano and orchestra, twenty pieces for solo piano, and three piano concertos by Beethoven and Mozart. Only her love for her husband Robert Schumann surpassed her passion for music. Clara Schumann was as a champion and interpreter of the music of her husband Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, and was a direct influence on their music. Clara Schumann Clara Schumann was born September 13, 1819 to Marianne and Frederick Wieck (pronounced Veek), in the German city of Leipzig. Frederick chose the name Clara for his child, a name that means bright, or shining. From the time of her birth, Frederick made a decision that Clara would one day grow into a great musician, a virtuoso. Clara’s father was a music teacher, and in the nineteenth century, since there were no radios nor televisions, at night families would entertain each other with conversation, â€Å"parlor games† like cards or charades, and music. In a city with so many music lovers, an ambitious piano teacher like Frederick found no shortage of students. All day long, â€Å"proper† young men and women streamed in and out of the Wiecks’ house. Clara’s mother, Ma... Free Essays on Clara Schumann Free Essays on Clara Schumann Very often, the music of women composers is condemned to particular concerts â€Å"For Women Composers Only†. Rather than promoting their creativity, this practice gives the impression that women composers need special assistance, that their music is inferior, and that they require affirmative action. Instead, their music should be allowed to stand on its own, interdependent with music of men composers, especially their colleagues: those with whom they interact and share influence. Clara Schumann performed extensively and studied piano, voice, violin, instrumentation, wrote, and published music. Her playing was characterized by technical mastery, interpretation, and a depth of feeling. All her compositions date from 1853 or before, including twenty-nine songs, three partsongs, four pieces for piano and orchestra, twenty pieces for solo piano, and three piano concertos by Beethoven and Mozart. Only her love for her husband Robert Schumann surpassed her passion for music. Clara Schumann was as a champion and interpreter of the music of her husband Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, and was a direct influence on their music. Clara Schumann Clara Schumann was born September 13, 1819 to Marianne and Frederick Wieck (pronounced Veek), in the German city of Leipzig. Frederick chose the name Clara for his child, a name that means bright, or shining. From the time of her birth, Frederick made a decision that Clara would one day grow into a great musician, a virtuoso. Clara’s father was a music teacher, and in the nineteenth century, since there were no radios nor televisions, at night families would entertain each other with conversation, â€Å"parlor games† like cards or charades, and music. In a city with so many music lovers, an ambitious piano teacher like Frederick found no shortage of students. All day long, â€Å"proper† young men and women streamed in and out of the Wiecks’ house. Clara’s mother, Ma...