Wreck, Wreak, and Other [rek] Words

Wreck, Wreak, and Other [rek] Words Wreck, Wreak, and Other [rek] Words Wreck, Wreak, and Other [rek] Words By Maeve Maddox I saw this in an article about caring for a laptop: If you store your laptop in the vehicle for any period of time, keep in mind that the extreme temperature ranges within the vehicle could wreck havoc with your laptop. Its not the first time Ive seen the word wreck substituted for wreak in the expression wreak havoc. Both words have similar origins, but in modern usage they are pronounced differently and have different meanings. wreak [reek] v. to bring about, inflict, as in wreak havoc, wreak vengeance wreck [reck] v. to cause ruin or damage wreck [reck] n. something that has been ruined The Old English verb wrecan meant to drive, drive out, avenge. Old Norse had a similar word. In Anglo-French these words evolved into a noun, wrec meaning goods cast ashore after a shipwreck, flotsam. The word reckless has a different origin. The Old English word reccan (past tense rohte) meant to care, to trouble about, heed. From it came a noun, rece meaning care. A reckless person doesnt care what happens. The word reckon comes from another OE verb spelled reccan (past tense reahte). This one meant to expound, relate. One still talks about reckoning accounts, or, in a metaphorical sense, the Final Reckoning. I reckon is a dialect expression for I guess, I suppose. Then theres reek. reek [reek] n. a bad smell reek [reek] v. to emit a bad smell The Old English word rec meant smoke from burning material. Reek acquired the sense of stench in the 17th century. So, back to the words that inspired this article: the next time you want to wreak havoc, dont wreck your credibility by misspelling or mispronouncing wreak. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Cost-Effective vs. Cost-EfficientConnotations of 35 Words for Funny PeopleHow Long Should a Synopsis Be?