“In common usage, when context alone determines the meaning, we’re usually talking about polysemous words (words with multiple related or unrelated meanings).” Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS returns to the endlessly fascinating English language.

“If you have a big enough dictionary, just about everything is a word,” –Dave Barry

Following on from my previous Whimsy column, here are some more examples of odd English words – and, as a bonus, the correct usage of “z” and “s”.

Words that are spelled the same (and often pronounced the same) but have different meanings depending on context are called homonyms.

In common usage, when context alone determines the meaning, we’re usually talking about polysemous words (words with multiple related or unrelated meanings).

These 10 examples highlight English’s capacity for self-contradiction, where context alone determines the meaning of the word. Each has evolved dual senses through metaphorical extension or historical divergence.

Bound 

• Heading toward: “The train is bound for London.”
• Tied up/unable to move: “He was bound by ropes.”

Cleave 

• Split apart: “The axe cleaved the log in two.”
• Cling closely: “The baby cleaved to her mother.”

Clip 

• Attach: “She clipped the papers together.”
• Cut off: “The gardener clipped the roses.”

Dust 

• Remove fine particles: “She dusted the shelves before guests arrived.”
• Apply fine particles: “The baker dusted the cake with icing sugar.”

Left 

• Departed: “She left the room in a hurry.”
• Remaining: “Only one slice of pizza is left.”

Oversight 

• Lapse/mistake: “It was an unfortunate oversight that her name wasn’t on the list.”
• Supervision: “He had oversight of the entire project.”

Sanction 

• Approve: “The council sanctioned the new housing development.”
• Penalise: “The government sanctioned the company for breaking the law.”

Seed 

• Plant seeds: “The farmer seeded the field in spring.”
• Remove seeds: “She seeded the watermelon before serving.”

Trim 

• Cut away: “He trimmed the hedge.”
• Decorate/add to: “They trimmed the Christmas tree with lights.”

Weather 

• Withstand/endure: “The old boat weathered many storms.”
• Wear away/erode: “The rocks were weathered by wind and rain.”

These shifts and dualities are not mere quirks but a testament to English’s unruly evolution – borrowing from Latin, French, Germanic roots, and beyond, then bending under social, technological, and cultural pressures.

They remind us that language is alive, often defying logic, yet endlessly fascinating. 

Then there’s Z and S 

You may also have wondered why American English uses “z” while Australian English uses “s”?

In the US, Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language standardised “-ize” to align with Greek roots, reflect pronunciation, and assert cultural independence from Britain. This choice stuck, shaping American publishing and style guides such as Merriam-Webster.

In Britain, “-ise” gained favour in the 18th-19th centuries, influenced by French spelling and major publishers such as The Times and Oxford University Press. Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary also leaned toward “-ise.” 

As a British Commonwealth nation, Australia adopted this convention, with style guides such as the Macquarie Dictionary mandating “-ise” for words like organise and realise.

Some words, such as advertise or compromise, always take “-ise” globally, as they derive from French or Latin, not Greek -izein. Interestingly, the Oxford English Dictionary prefers “-ize” for etymological accuracy but allows “-ise” in British usage for consistency.

Both spellings are correct; the choice depends on regional standards. Americans use “-ize” for classical purity, while Australians follow Britain’s “-ise” tradition. It’s a quirk of history, driven by dictionary-makers and publishers, not by any debate over meaning.

Writers should, however, respect the spelling of organisations as used by the organisation itself – so, for example, the Defence Intelligence Organisation in Australia and the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization in the US.

On a lighter note: Two good ol’ boys (Jake and Scooter) are sitting on Jake’s front porch, drinking beer and watching the world go by.

They’re joined by Jake’s hound dog who lays down on the porch near them. After a while the hound dog starts licking his private parts.

Scooter, who doesn’t have a dog, is fascinated by the hound dog’s flexibility, and after a while says to Jake: “Yuh know, I wish I could do that”. 

Jake looks at Scooter and says: “I wouldn’t try it if I were you, he’s got a mean streak and will likely bite you if you do.”

Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist