Writing Tip 447: “Team” vs. “Teem”
Teeming with chaos or teaming with chaos? And how does this change if we’re talking about ducks? Oh, a little letter makes all the difference. The world can feel overwhelming sometimes, but let’s at least ensure your spelling is under control.
More definitions exist than these; however, they seem to be the most common.
Both can indeed use the preposition “with” when acting in their verb forms (“teaming with” vs. “teeming with”), but their connection is much deeper. Obsolete definitions of these two words lay bare their connected ancestry, allowing for meanings you might not pull out for everyday use but are simultaneously fascinating.
Team building may be essential to your favorite professional team or your corporate success; however, forget modern life for a moment. The Old English word tēam meant “progeny,” “descendants,” “lineage,” or even “a group of draft animals.” Thus, a tēam of ducks or pigs was a standard usage, and we’re not talking about hockey players or sideline mascots.
The related word “teem” derived from the related Old English word tīman or tǣman, which meant “to produce offspring” or “to give birth to.” And, of course, produce enough offspring, and the space will be teeming with them. Hello, modern usage. Is this where rabbits enter the conversation? Forget the ducks and pigs.
As for the chaos, here’s hoping getting our words right will quell at least one modern anxiety. And if that doesn’t help, just think of ducks. Who doesn’t love ducks?
Go team.
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The post Writing Tip 447: “Team” vs. “Teem” appeared first on Kris Spisak.
