Let’s stay on our toes

September 10th, 2008 at 07:00am Barry Wood

Recently, I’ve seen a couple of references to something or someone being “on the ballet.” I’ve been reading about elections for a long time, and I don’t think that one has ever come up before.

Yes, “ballet” IS a word, but it’s pronounced “ba-LAY” and it’s a form of dance. You know, “Swan Lake,” ballerinas on tiptoe and one of my favorite words, tutus.

The word that belongs in election coverage is “ballot,” rhymes with “mallet.” “Ballot” traces back to the Italian “palla” for “ball” — also the source for “balloon.”

If it helps, balloons are often full of hot air and so are many people on ballots.

Entry Filed under: perplexing pairs