Eggcorn Forum

The verb “hedge” in its figurative meaning “to limit, to hem in, to monopolize” can invade other words. We have an example in our database: hedgemoney.

The sound and sense of “hedge” may also lie behind the huge number (hundreds, perhaps thousands) of sites that employ “hegitate” and “hegitation” in place of “hesitate,” and “hesitation.” See examples below.

There may be a better explanation, however. The vast majority of the examples of this slip on the web come from sites in India or pages of people with Indian backgrounds. I can think of two reasons for this. One is that a Hindi word with a meaning similar to “hesitate” is influencing this change. The other is that the “s” sound in Hindi is, to our ears, soft, almost a “sh” sound (hear it here), and is thus much nearer to the soft “g” sound than our sibilant English “s,” leading those for whom Hindi is a first language and English a second (i.e., most of those in India who speak English) to the mishearing and misspelling of “hesitation” as “hegitation.”

Post on India singles dating site: “ i am 25 years male from dehradun….wanna meet to a friend with whom i cn share everything without any hegitation ”

Automobile discussion forum: “I looked at your feedback … that is why I sent you a payment without any hegitation ”

Legal advice forum: “leave her without any hegitation ”

Myspace page (Indian background): “So don’t hegitate to chat with me!! ”

Review of Bangladesh resort: “For further and specific information don’t hegitate to dial [this number]”

Metal scrap trader site in Germany: “If you are intersted in this scrap Please don`t hegitate to contact us”

Last edited by kem (2011-01-29 00:38:59)