Lost in Translation--US vs UK English words

[EagleJCS]

Hm, aren't those just homophones?

Perhaps so. I learned them in school as homonyms.

My American Heritage dictionary defines homonym as: "One of two or more words that have the same sound and often the same spelling but differ in meaning". Homophone is defined as: "One of two or more words that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning, origin, and sometimes spelling".

So it appears that - at least in American English parlance - the words homonym and homophone are synonyms (or near enough for common usage).

[sathor]

Perhaps so. I learned them in school as homonyms.

My American Heritage dictionary defines homonym as: "One of two or more words that have the same sound and often the same spelling but differ in meaning". Homophone is defined as: "One of two or more words that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning, origin, and sometimes spelling".

So it appears that - at least in American English parlance - the words homonym and homophone are synonyms (or near enough for common usage).

you forgot homograph. The way is breaks down is something like this

graph - same spelling, but different (lead (to guide) lead (Pb))
phone - same sound (hare, hair)
nym - words that fit in both. (bear, bare (to uncover) bear (to carry))

thats the best I understand it. I think the nym is becoming a catchall, and graph is slowing fading away.

[morrison]

The 'lift' mates is an 'elevator.'

Let's go bird watching with the Audubon Society, in US
ith:

Are there any 'Birds' here? UK Girls!


What's a 'Cougar?' Woman!


Is there a saying like "A bird in the hand is like a hand in the bush?"
Maybe it goes thus, "A bird in the hand is as good as two in a bush!"