Answers: Is "haply" a synonym for "happily"? When can/should it be used?

Jul 14, 2014 14:32

The short answer is 'no'. It isn't actually a synonym, although it is related. Let's call on our Sentinel friends for a little help.( Read more... )

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Comments 6

starwatcher307 July 14 2014, 19:00:46 UTC
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In my mind, I connect 'hap' to 'happenstance' -- but maybe that demonstrates that I'm a bit archaic myself. ;)
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bluewolf458 July 15 2014, 05:13:56 UTC
There seem to be several words related to 'hap' that are archaic without being actually obsolete - yet.

One weird one (not in the 'hap' family) is 'gotten'; it's in my dictionary as archaic; Brits mostly use 'got' - and yet it's still correct usage in America. Because of that, it's regaining a degree of use in the UK. But it's one of the words that I'll write rings around to avoid using in any of my stories. :-)

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thistle_chaser July 15 2014, 15:14:44 UTC
Interesting! I hadn't encountered "haply" before.

Thanks for this post!

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bluewolf458 July 15 2014, 17:15:42 UTC
Thanks!

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campylobacter July 16 2014, 15:53:44 UTC
I cringe to imagine the fanfic that made this usage warning necessary.

"Sherlock sighed haply at the Doctor. Dean smiled and haply gave Sam a kiss."

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bluewolf458 July 16 2014, 17:03:30 UTC
Shudder...

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