Partake

[PrincessFiorimonde]

I've recently heard/seen a few examples of 'partake' that have got me thinking. E.g. 'Would you like to partake in that [activity]'. Shouldn't that be 'participate'? Or simply 'take part'? (In fact, is this one of those instances where people over-correct by using a 'fancier' term - 'partake' - rather than the simpler one - 'take part'?)

In my mind, you partake of something (e.g. a meal), while you participate or take part in something (e.g. an activity).

Is this correct? Or can you ever partake of something?

Or indeed is it just such an old-fashioned word that we should ditch it altogether?

Holy Communion is something you 'partake' so it would seem to apply to consumables which are shared.

You can 'partake in' revelry or excitement which would indicate sharing in an experience.

Music can 'partake' a quality too but I'm not sure if that's the same sense.

I would assume that anyone who was using "partake" was doing it ironically.

It's a bit like people who say "utilise" instead of "use".

Dammit. OP should have said 'can you ever partake in something?'

Frakkit, I see you think the answer's yes. 'Partake in' revelry etc. just sounds wrong to me. But maybe it's just me.

Singsinthebath, I thought that at first. But have heard it too often for that to be the case.

Partake is just a fancy word for sharing so you 'in' an experience.