2023-07-29 07:02:40
French spelling, a nightmare for schoolchildren? Perhaps, but they still need to be sure how to write the word “nightmare”. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see it adorned with a thunderous final “d”. Especially ugly, moreover, because he has nothing to do there.
“Nightmare”, a unique spelling
Let’s be clear, let’s say it once and for all, let’s not talk about it anymore: “nightmare” is written without “d”:
A nightmare. Nightmares.
Note that until the twelfth century, “nightmare” took an “e”. If this “mare” means anything to you, it’s probably because it’s similar to English ” nightmare “. Of Germanic origin, the ending “mare” evokes the notion of ghost, of spectrum. As for “cauche”, we find it in the Picard verb ” nightmare “. It is not difficult to imagine that in ancient times nightmares were likened to a specter oppressing the soul of the poor sleeper.
But then, where does this “d” come from?
The question is legitimate: such a common fault cannot come out of nowhere, right? No need to look far to find a satisfactory explanation: the misunderstanding most likely comes from the verb “nightmare” (I nightmare, you nightmare, etc.).
#Nightmare #nightmare #write