hockeyfan,
This is a very good question. The English language can certainly be
very confusing and contradictory at times -- okay, MOST of the time!
First, let's take a look at what the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online
( http://www.m-w.com ) has to say about these words (stick with me
here, it gets better later on!):
(--> arrows indicate relevant definitions)
apart
-----
Middle English, from Middle French "à part", literally, to the side
from a- (from Latin ad-) + point point
Date: 14th century
1 a : at a little distance...
--> b : away from one another in space or time...
--> 2 a : as a separate unit...
--> b : so as to separate one from another...
3 : excluded from consideration
--> 4 : in or into two or more parts
apartment
---------
French "appartement", from Italian "appartamento"
Date: 1641
appoint
-------
Middle English, from Middle French "àpointier", to arrange
from a- (from Latin ad-) + point (point)
Date: 14th century
--> 1 a : to fix or set officially...
--> b : to name officially...
--> c archaic : ARRANGE
d : to determine the disposition of (an estate) to someone by
virtue of a power of appointment
2 : to provide with complete and usually appropriate or elegant
furnishings or equipment
appointment
-----------
Date: 15th century
As you can see, both these English words had their origin in Middle
French words.
Interestingly, the French word for "apartment" has 2 "p"s,
"appartement".
So, the French word for "appointment" is "appointement", right?
Wrong. The French word for "appointment" is "rendez-vous" (to meet
with you) or "nomination" (to name someone to a position). However,
the origin of the English word IS related to the modern French word "à
pointement" (pointing at) <-- notice the single "p"!!!.
Apparently the English and Americans do not have a monopoly on
language inconsistencies.
The plain, boring explanation for the discrepancy in the spellings of
apart/appoint and apartment/appointment is: as the English language
evolved from the French, common spelling usage evolved one way for
"apart" and another way for "appoint".
The best way that I can think of to gain enlightenment on the
inconsistent unpredictabilities of the English language is to see the
excellent explanation at Scottware's "The English Lesson":
http://www.scottware.com.au/fun/jokes/english.htm
For more English language fun, try Merriam-Webster's daily "Word for
the Wise" archive at:
http://www.m-w.com/mw/mw/wftw/wftw.htm
Additional reference: English-to-French Translation -
http://www.worldlingo.com/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html
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Before Rating my Answer, if you have questions or need additional
explanation, please post a Request for Clarification, and I will be
glad to do what I can to assist you.
I hope that this satisfies your curiosity!
Regards,
aceresearcher |