While or Whilst?

[Flier]

My DH uses the word whilst alot, in places where I would have used while.

Can some of you lovely pedants come and tell me thedifference between the two, and when we should use them?

tia

[Flier]

anyone?

[hana]

whilst is English - I'd never say it!
I say while ( am not English obviously)

[Botbot]

Really hate whilst. While is a perfectly good word.

Ditto amongst.

[getbackinyouryurtjimjams]

explanation here

[ahundredtimes]

I think they have become interchangeable - and whilst is seen as archaic, and while is American.

I suspect there was a time when 'while' meant during, and 'whilst' meant something like 'on the other hand' or 'alternatively'?

Perhaps? I'm not a pedant though. Someone will probably come along and set us straight.

[ahundredtimes]

lol @ 'I have a small weakness for it'

[Flier]

thanks all, glad to hear I've not been wrong in not using it , as I don't particularly like it, really.

getbackinyouryurtjimjams the explanation is spot on, thanks for that.

[UnquietDad]

As a a sidenote, "Stop here when red light shows" is wrong, isn't it? Should be "while". Although in Yorkshire that would cause confusion...

[Bridie3]

When I'm working on proofing and editing I am told to change all whilsts to whiles because the former is considered archaic.

I do the same in my own writing.

[Threadwormm]

That must whilst away the hours.

[Flier]

[Bridie3]

HAR! Oh the hours pass in such happy pleasure.

[mamamamama]

Now then, I've always applied a rule that is apparently incorrect.

I thought it was whilst + vowel and while + consonant.

[AllFallDown]

While not whilst. Among not amongst. Plain English is best.

[niceglasses]

Sure I read somewhere while is preferred now.

[Flier]

thanks all. I spoke to dh about it on Friday and he wasn't even aware that he used it so will probably think twice before using it now hopefully anyway....