Andrew’s review of Nineteen Eighty-Four: (1984) > Likes and Comments
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The expression “while away the time” is the only surviving context for a very old use of “while” as a verb meaning “to spend time.” Many people substitute “wile,” but to wile people is to lure or trick them into doing something—quite different from simply idling away the time. Even though dictionaries accept “wile away” as an alternative, it makes more sense to stick with the original expression. https://brians.wsu.edu/2016/05/19/wil...
Lynn wrote: "The expression “while away the time” is the only surviving context for a very old use of “while” as a verb meaning “to spend time.” Many people substitute “wile,” but to wile people is to lure or t..."
Thanks . . . I was wondering/confused about that . . . and my research did show that "wile" was acceptable . . . but your info about original meaning of "while" is fascinating.
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Lynn
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Jan 23, 2020 08:10AM
The expression “while away the time” is the only surviving context for a very old use of “while” as a verb meaning “to spend time.” Many people substitute “wile,” but to wile people is to lure or trick them into doing something—quite different from simply idling away the time. Even though dictionaries accept “wile away” as an alternative, it makes more sense to stick with the original expression. https://brians.wsu.edu/2016/05/19/wil...
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Lynn wrote: "The expression “while away the time” is the only surviving context for a very old use of “while” as a verb meaning “to spend time.” Many people substitute “wile,” but to wile people is to lure or t..."Thanks . . . I was wondering/confused about that . . . and my research did show that "wile" was acceptable . . . but your info about original meaning of "while" is fascinating.
