principal/principle - I just don't get it...

[SmellsLikeTeenSweat]

I thought that principal - Principal - was somebody in charge of a college, and everything else (just about) was principle. Now I've come across something written by someone with an English degree: '... to identify the principal points'.

Shouldn't it be 'the principle points'? Or is 'principal points' correct but would it be 'the points of principle'? Like practise & practice, different in slightly different situations?

Enlightenment please!
Thanks

Principal means, in most contexts, the head, or main issue. So Principal of school, Principal points means the main points.

Think of principal as being the top of a pyramid, if that makes sense.

OK... yes, it sort of does. Now tell me how that differs from principle. Please!

Principle is as in "a point of principle" or "the principle of equality before the law" -- a theoretical,legal, ethical or moral precept that individuals or systems try to abide by/live up to (so "In principle that's all fine and dandy, but I think you'll find it's more difficult in real life").

a principle is a rule

principal means main

principle is a noun, principal is an adjective (although sometimes it gets shortened and so it looks like a noun) eg the principal (in an eductaional sense) is really a shortened version of principal teacher.

Focusing on one obvious area of potential confusion:

A point of principle = an issue to stand firm on because it is Right

The principal points = the main points

Ooooh that's brilliant, littleredsquirrel & ProfLayton - excellent. I will try to commit that to memory

I have a mnemonic for this which I am slightly ashamed of, but here it is....

The school principal wants to be your PAL.

Ugh.

It does work, though!