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#1 2007-06-26 10:41:20

TootsNYC
Eggcornista
Registered: 2007-06-19
Posts: 263

someone actually explains their eggcorn "beckon call"

Documentation! From a primary source!

In the online advice column “Annie’s Mailbox” by Kathy Mithcell and Marcy Sugar, on Creators.com, a reader explains it all (his contention: “beck and call” is the eggcorn, though of course he doesn’t use that term):

http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatur … 06-22.html
———-
Dear Annie: You recently used the term “beck and call.” I’ve heard this expression all my life and I think everyone is getting it wrong in written form.

Here’s my crackpot theory (I have a lot of those): The correct expression should be “beckon call.” You call me to you, by beckoning, and I will rush to your service. That makes sense. But “beck and call”? Seriously, I don’t think “beck” is even a word.

This may not rank with the great toilet paper debate, but it’s one of those niggling little language things that drive me nuts. — Daniel

Dear Daniel: You’re not too far off. “Beck” is actually a shortened form of “beckon.” But the term is indeed “beck and call,” and the word “beck” means a silent gesture such as a nod or wave. The phrase dates to the late 19th century. We hope you are feeling calmer now.
————————

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#2 2007-06-28 20:11:03

booboo
Eggcornista
From: Austin, Tx
Registered: 2007-04-01
Posts: 179

Re: someone actually explains their eggcorn "beckon call"

Okay, now I’m confused. I spent my whole childhood and adolesence saying “beck and call” and changed to “beckon call” as a maturing adult trying to clean mistakes from my language. I had no idea what a beck was, but I knew what beckon was. Now it appears beck was right all along, but I would like some more confirmation from my fellow eggcornites if I’m going to keep changing.

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#3 2007-06-29 12:54:53

TootsNYC
Eggcornista
Registered: 2007-06-19
Posts: 263

Re: someone actually explains their eggcorn "beckon call"

it is “beck”

there’s a long history in English of idiomatic phrases in which two synonyms or near synonyms are used.

beck and call

kit and kaboodle

spit and image (“spit” being a word that meant “likeness”)—this one morphed into “spitting image” through folk etymology

ways and means

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#4 2007-06-30 18:53:19

booboo
Eggcornista
From: Austin, Tx
Registered: 2007-04-01
Posts: 179

Re: someone actually explains their eggcorn "beckon call"

Yeah, my wife just explained to me what an idiot I’ve been. Somehow, I was caught up with the countless hoardes of unsuspecting eggcorn carriers and I fear I may have already infected others. I’m better now, but it may be too late for them.

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#5 2007-07-06 18:26:50

Day Vid
Member
From: Detroit
Registered: 2007-07-06
Posts: 9

Re: someone actually explains their eggcorn "beckon call"

TootsNYC wrote:

there’s a long history in English of idiomatic phrases in which two synonyms or near synonyms are used.
...
beck and call, ..., ways and means

whys and wherefores

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#6 2011-10-30 03:45:12

JuanTwoThree
Eggcornista
From: Spain
Registered: 2009-08-15
Posts: 455

Re: someone actually explains their eggcorn "beckon call"

In today’s Daily Mail:

What a pity that reporters do not know how to write ‘beckon call’, rather than ‘beck and call’.


On the plain in Spain where it mainly rains.

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#7 2011-10-30 11:09:48

burred
Eggcornista
From: Montreal
Registered: 2008-03-17
Posts: 1112

Re: someone actually explains their eggcorn "beckon call"

I like booboo’s “hoarde”: either a WTFT or a portmanteau.

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