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Pedants' corner

Is it racket or racquet?

5 replies

Schmoochypoos · 02/10/2018 07:14

When talking about a badminton racket?

Having a discussion with my MIL....

OP posts:
Schmoochypoos · 02/10/2018 09:31

Anyone?

OP posts:
BiscuitDrama · 02/10/2018 09:33

Google

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racket_(sports_equipment)

Schmoochypoos · 02/10/2018 10:03

Thank you Smile

MIL claims the Americans have bastardised the English language and it is racquet and they’ve changed it and that I was incorrect for using racket.

OP posts:
SpoonBlender · 02/10/2018 10:17

The big Oxford English Dictionary has this to say:

racquet, -ette
varr. racket n., raquette.

Following over to racket,

racket, n.2

(ˈrækɪt)

Forms: 6 rackat, -it, Sc. rakkett, rakcat, 6–7 rackette, 8 -ett, 5– racket; 6–9 raquet, 7 -ett, 9 racquet. See also raquette.

[a. F. raquette (16th c.) = Sp., Pg. raqueta, It. racchetta, lacchetta, of uncertain origin (see Littré and Devic): hence also Du. raket (in Kilian racket), G. rakete, -ette.]

  1. a.1.a A bat used in the games of rackets, tennis, etc., consisting of a network of cord or catgut stretched across a somewhat elliptical frame formed of a bent strip of wood, metal, etc., to the base of which a handle is attached.

1500–20 Dunbar Poems xiv. 66 Sa mony rakkettis, sa mony ketche-pillaris. 1540 [see b]. 1574 Newton Health Mag. 6 Striking and receaving the balle with a raquet. 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia ii. 27 The Beaver‥His taile somewhat like the forme of a Racket. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. xxi. §9 A Tennis-Ball, whether in motion by the stroke of a Racket, or lying still at rest. 1763 C. Johnston Reverie II. 206 He was seated at table with a parcel of shuttle-cocks before him, and mending a racket. 1805 Scott Last Minstr. ii. xxxi, Like tennis-ball by raquet tossed.

And lots more examples. So tell her it's "rakket" if she wants to be accurate!

IvorHughJarrs · 02/10/2018 10:23

I always thought it was racquet to play sport with and racket for a loud noise but never looked it up. Probably what I and your MIL were taught in school back in the olden days Grin

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