I’m delighted to note that there’s been an outbreak of spelling the word “whingeing” correctly in the press lately. It’s one of my favourite words, far greater than “moaning”, “whining”, or even that great Scots word “girning” – which is a far more aggravated and aggravating form of whingeing.
My delight stems from the fact that, twice in the past two years, I’ve submitted articles, one a review, the other a travel piece, which contained the word “whingeing”, only to suffer the indignity of having the ‘e’ removed from the published piece. Now, before you all start hauling out your Concise Oxfords, I’m well aware that the word “whinging” is deemed perfectly acceptable – however, the fact is, I submitted the word “whingeing”. Now, I’m sure subs are all perfectly nice people but…. OK, I won’t go there (again) for now.
But just look at the two together: “WHINGEING”; “WHINGING”. Continue reading
