The rhymes in this section have the ‘e’ sound of pen and ready as their main or final vowel sound.
9.1 bleb, deb, ebb, neb, pleb, Seb, web, Webb, * celeb, * Maghreb, Zagreb, Caleb, cobweb, * World Wide Web, Aurangzeb
9.2 beck, check, cheque, Czech, Dec, deck, Eck, feck, fleck, heck, Lech, lek, neck, peck, rec, reck, sec, spec, speck, tech, trek, wreck, * V-neck, recheck, Quebec, bedeck, hi-tech, spot-check, crosscheck, low-tech, * Caltech, Aztec, Dalek, fartlek, parsec, há
ek, breakneck, paycheque, namecheck, henpeck, redneck, Purbeck, Birkbeck, Seebeck, rebec, xebec, pinchbeck, shipwreck, Steinbeck, flyspeck, wryneck, cromlech, Warbeck, foredeck, kopeck, OPEC, codec, rollneck, sun deck, roughneck, Uzbek, Dubek, Lübeck, gooseneck, * Zapotec, Janáek, Chiang Kai-shek, afterdeck, neck-and-neck, leatherneck, demi-sec, turtleneck, nervous wreck, discotheque, Beiderbecke, biotech, bottleneck, bodycheck, quarterdeck, halterneck, Eurocheque, polo neck, rubberneck, double-check, * Melchizedek, Toulouse-Lautrec
The boy stood on the burning deck
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle’s wreck
Shone round him o’er the dead.
FELICIA HEMANS
9.3 checks, cheques, decks, ex, Exe, flecks, flex, hex, kecks, lex, necks, pecks, pecs, Rex, sex, specs, specks, Tex, vex, wrecks, X, * convex, perplex, annex, desex, rechecks, bedecks, * Amex, annex, Artex®, Daleks, apex, APEX, latex, Playtex®, Hedex®, Semtex, Tex-Mex, rednecks, Perspex®, vertex, reflex, Kleenex®, Tipp-Ex®, index, triplex, simplex, NIREX, Pyrex®, ibex, ilex, silex, Timex®, complex, Optrex®, cortex, Gore-Tex®, vortex, Durex®, Lurex®, kopecks, Rolex®, duplex, suplex, * retroflex, circumflex, intersex, Middlesex, cybersex, biconvex, Copydex®, pontifex, multiplex, googolplex, Moulinex®, unisex, * traveller’s cheques, Oedipus Rex, etc.
9.4 flexed, next, sexed, text, vexed, * perplexed, annexed, * pretext, context, subtext, * teletext, hypertext, oversexed, undersexed
9.5 Brecht, checked, decked, flecked, necked, pecked, sect, Sekt, specked, trekked, wrecked, * prospect, suspect, protect, affect, perfect, collect, correct, connect, unchecked, project, object, subject, transect, V-necked, rechecked, respect, expect, inspect, bedecked, detect, defect, effect, infect, elect, select, deflect, reflect, inflect, neglect, erect, deject, eject, reject, inject, direct, bisect, dissect, trisect, spot-checked, crosschecked, * aspect, Albrecht, abject, henpecked, defect, prefect, reject, shipwrecked, insect, prospect, collect, project, suspect, bull-necked, Utrecht, * architect, retrospect, resurrect, recollect, self-respect, genuflect, circumspect, reconnect, reinfect, reelect, deselect, reselect, reinspect, redirect, introspect, disaffect, intellect, incorrect, disconnect, intersect, interject, disrespect, disinfect, vivisect, indirect, misdirect, dialect, side effect, rubbernecked, double-checked, * aftereffect, idiolect, interconnect, hypercorrect, knock-on effect, overprotect
Never will I give advice
Till you please to ask me thrice;
Which, if you in scorn reject,
’Twill be just as I expect.
JONATHAN SWIFT
9.6 etch, fetch, fletch, ketch, kvetch, lech, retch, sketch, stretch, vetch, wretch, * outstretch, * overstretch
9.7 etched, fetched, retched, sketched, stretched, * unstretched, far-fetched, outstretched, * overstretched
9.8 bed, bled, bread, bred, cred, dead, dread, ed, Ed, fed, Fed, fled, Fred, head, ked, lead, led, Med, Ned, pled, read, red, said, shed, shred, sled, sped, spread, stead, ted, Ted, thread, tread, wed, Z, zed, * abed, ahead, undead, unread, unthread, unwed, unsaid, gainsaid, well-fed, well-read, well-bred, Enzed, embed, reread, see red, premed, instead, behead, misled, misread, ill-bred, inbred, sliced bread, drop dead, force-fed, outspread, co-ed, stone-dead, lowbred, * Hampstead, Stansted, slaphead, blackhead, crackhead, smackhead, fathead, blacklead, Manfred, packthread, farmstead, masthead, Ahmed, air bed, airhead, stairhead, day bed, pay bed, braindead, Gateshead, deathbed, bedstead, breast-fed, egghead, deadhead, redhead, wellhead, bedspread, spearhead, seabed, reed bed, seedbed, beachhead, sweetbread, street cred, retread, sickbed, dickhead, thickhead, bighead, pithead, Spithead, pinhead, skinhead, bridgehead, crispbread, Whitbread, wingspread, childbed, biped, Minehead, Brideshead, widespread, hotbed, Ofsted, blockhead, Godhead, hothead, pothead, hogshead, bobsled, dogsled, crossbred, force-fed, forehead, warhead, shortbread, foresaid, Muirhead, purebred, Roundhead, cowshed, flowerbed, Stourhead, Go-Ped®, moped, roadstead, homestead, bonehead, sun bed, Plumstead, bulkhead, drumhead, bloodshed, woodshed, woolshed, spoonfed, proofread, toolshed, * aforesaid, * hammerhead, acidhead, arrowhead, Samoyed, maidenhead, Maidenhead, feather bed, letterhead, Leatherhead, petrolhead, centre spread, Ethelred, Birkenhead, Peterhead, streets ahead, sleepyhead, Beachy Head, river bed, figurehead, in the red, infrared, pitta bread, interbred, gingerbread, bottle-fed, Holyhead, Holinshed, quadruped, watershed, Portishead, fountainhead, sofa bed, go-ahead, overfed, overhead, soda bread, slugabed, underfed, dunderhead, knucklehead, shovelhead, muttonhead, thoroughbred, newlywed
When I am dead, I hope it may be said:
‘His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.’
HILAIRE BELLOC
9.9 beds, dreads, Ed’s, Fred’s, heads, sheds, shreds, spreads, threads, treads, * blackheads, eggheads, skinheads, warheads, flowerbeds, * arrowheads, petrolheads, loggerheads, sofa beds, overheads, newlyweds, etc.
9.10 chef, clef, deaf, def, eff, F, Geoff, Jeff, Neff, ref, * stone-deaf, tone-deaf, * ASLEF, Brezhnev, Kiev, Josef, * RAF, treble clef, VHF, IVF, Nureyev, UNICEF, * Diaghilev, Prokofiev
9.11 cleft, deft, Dreft®, eft, heft, left, theft, weft, * bereft
9.12 beg, Clegg, egg, Eigg, Greg, Greig, keg, leg, Meg, peg, skeg, teg, * unpeg, * blackleg, JPEG, gate-leg, tent peg, nest egg, peg leg, redleg, dogleg, foreleg, clothes peg, nutmeg, bootleg, * Scanderbeg, break a leg, Winnipeg, filibeg
Fain would I kiss my Julia’s dainty leg,
Which is as white and hairless as an egg.
ROBERT HERRICK
9.13 begs, eggs, dregs, legs, Meg’s, * tent pegs, sheerlegs, forelegs, * daddy-long-legs, etc.
9.14 dredge, edge, fledge, hedge, kedge, ledge, pledge, Reg, sedge, sledge, veg, wedge, * allege, on edge
9.15 dredged, edged, fledged, hedged, pledged, wedged, * alleged, unfledged, * gilt-edged, * double-edged, fully fledged
9.16 bel, bell, Bell, belle, Brel, cel, cell, Del, dell, Dell, dwell, ell, fell, gel, hell, jell, knell, L, Mel, Nell, quell, sell, shell, smell, Snell, spell, swell, tell, well, yell, * lapel, propel, compel, Raquel, Adele, Badel, Patel, unwell, Chanel, quenelle, gazelle, rappel, Ravel, Manuel, Danielle, mademoiselle, cartel, Martel, Carmel, Parnell, Marcel, farewell, Snaefell, pell-mell, Dalziel, respell, retell, presell, resell, rebel, repel, impel, dispel, misspell, expel, Miguel, Fidel, Estelle, befell, indwell, excel, Giselle, Michelle, morel, Morrell, Rochelle, Courtelle®, foretell, Scafell, outsell, Noël, Nobel, boatel, hotel, motel, Moselle, Brunel, * handbell, Maxwell, clamshell, barbell, Cherwell, Harwell, Chartwell, harebell, stairwell, Bakewell, Thelwell, Tencel®, eggshell, speedwell, seashell, inkwell, Bridewell, Sizewell, Oftel, Fontwell, Cromwell, Boswell, bombshell, doorbell, Orwell, Caldwell, Cornwell, cowbell, groundswell, dumbbell, nutshell, bluebell, * Annabel, asphodel, bagatelle, caravel, parallel, aquarelle, Camberwell, caramel, carousel, Appenzell, Gabrielle, chanterelle, ne’er-do-well, béchamel, razor shell, Jezebel, Becquerel, demoiselle, decibel, personnel, clientele, Tinkerbell, Christabel, mirabelle, Isabel, citadel, Zinfandel, William Tell, kiss and tell, Philomel, pimpernel, villanelle, infidel, pipistrelle, wishing well, immortelle, fontanelle, tortoiseshell, cockleshell, bodyshell, Duracell®, go to hell, oversell, photocell, muscatel, Motherwell, undersell, * eau de Javelle, crème caramel, crime passionnel, Aix-la-Chapelle, Mont-Saint-Michel, maître d’hôtel, au naturel
The danger chiefly lies in acting well;
No crime’s so great as daring to excel.
CHARLES CHURCHILL
9.17 elk, whelk
9.18 belch, squelch
9.19 geld, held, meld, quelled, swelled, weld, yelled, * propelled, compelled, upheld, rebelled, repelled, dispelled, expelled, beheld, withheld, excelled, * Danegeld, Ziegfeld, * jet-propelled, single-celled, * unparalleled, etc.
9.20 elf, Guelph, pelf, self, shelf, * herself, themself, oneself, itself, himself, myself, yourself, ourself
Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can,
And don’t have any kids yourself.
PHILIP LARKIN
9.21 elm, helm, realm, * Anselm, Wilhelm, * overwhelm, underwhelm
9.22 help, kelp, whelp, yelp
9.23 belt, Celt, dealt, dwelt, felt, gelt, knelt, melt, pelt, Scheldt, smelt, spelt, svelte, veld, welt, * unbelt, misspelt, * fan belt, heartfelt, seat belt, green belt, life belt, Roosevelt, * safety belt, Bible Belt, Weidenfeld, underfelt, * conveyor belt, Magherafelt
9.24 health, stealth, wealth, twelfth, * Commonwealth
9.25 delve, helve, shelve, twelve
9.26 delves, elves, helves, selves, shelves, twelves, * themselves, yourselves, ourselves
9.27 bells, cells, Del’s, dwells, Kwells®, Mel’s, sells, shells, smells, tells, Welles, Wells, yells, * lapels, Raquel’s, farewells, Seychelles, rebels, excels, hotels, * Dardanelles, infidels, Tunbridge Wells, Book of Kells, etc.
‘What is a church?’ – Our honest sexton tells,
‘’Tis a tall building, with a tower and bells.’
GEORGE CRABBE
9.28 Clem, crème, em, femme, gem, hem, M, phlegm, REM, Shem, stem, them, * condemn, contemn, ahem, ad rem, a.m., FM, GM, p.m., PM, Yquem, Lib Dem, pro tem, suprême, * brainstem, mayhem, xylem, Ofgem, phloem, modem, apophthegm, La Bohème, ATM, AGM, requiem, Bethlehem, Eminem, chernozem, diadem, IBM, * carpe diem
9.29 hemp, Kemp, temp
9.30 dreamt, kempt, tempt, * unkempt, attempt, contempt, undreamt, pre-empt, exempt
9.31 gems, Ems, hems, stems, Thames, etc.
9.32 Aisne, Ben, Benn, Bren, den, en, Den, fen, gen, glen, Glenn, Gwen, hen, ken, Ken, Len, men, N, pen, Penn, Rennes, Seine, Taine, ten, then, wen, when, wren, Wren, yen, Zen, * again, Loren, Ardennes, amen, cayenne, Chechen, kaizen, doyenne, Phnom Penh, UN, Duchenne, * admen, playpen, stamen, apemen, cavemen, spacemen, chessmen, pressmen, peahen, he-men, pigpen, binmen, hymen, dolmen, con men, moorhen, nomen, snowmen, stuntmen, rumen, newsmen, * pathogen, allergen, halogen, Adrienne, antigen, acumen, weathermen, regimen, excisemen, mise en scène, histogen, businessmen, Ogaden, born-again, Nurofen®, fountain pen, musclemen, Sun Yatsen, julienne, * cameramen, newspapermen, angry young men, carcinogen, Valenciennes, equestrienne, comedienne, tragedienne, ibuprofen, absit omen, * hallucinogen
Why are the needle and the pen
Thought incompatible by men?
ESTHER LEWIS
9.33 bench, blench, clench, Dench, drench, French, quench, stench, tench, trench, wench, wrench, * retrench, entrench
9.34 blenched, clenched, drenched, quenched, wrenched, * unquenched, retrenched, entrenched, * sundrenched
9.35 bend, blend, Bridgend, end, fend, friend, lend, mend, penned, rend, send, spend, tend, trend, vend, wend, * unbend, append, upend, suspend, unkenned, attend, subtend, contend, offend, amend, commend, ascend, transcend, tail end, Gravesend, depend, impend, dispend, misspend, expend, pretend, intend, distend, extend, defend, befriend, emend, descend, Ostend, portend, forfend, Southend, * fag end, pen friend, girlfriend, weekend, pitchblende, bin end, stipend, godsend, hornblende, boyfriend, bookend, U-bend, * parascend, apprehend, recommend, reprehend, bitter end, dividend, on the mend, comprehend, condescend, round the bend, overspend, underspend, * superintend, overextend, misapprehend
Hopeless hope hopes on and meets no end,
Wastes without springs and homes without a friend.
JOHN CLARE
9.36 ginseng, Kaifeng, Boateng, * Mafikeng, * nasi goreng
9.37 length, strength, * wavelength, calf-length, knee-length
9.38 henge, Penge, * avenge, revenge, Stonehenge
9.39 cense, dense, fence, flense, hence, pence, sense, Spence, tense, thence, whence, cents, dents, gents, scents, tents, vents, * suspense, condense, offence, commence, laments, dispense, expense, pretence, intense, defence, events, ring-fence, immense, incense, Hortense, * frankincense, recompense, recommence, self-defence, common sense
Immodest words admit of no defence,
For want of decency is want of sense.
WENTWORTH DILLON
9.40 fenced, tensed, * against, condensed, unfenced, commenced, dispensed, ring-fenced, incensed, * recompensed, recommenced
9.41 bent, Brent, cent, dent, gent, Ghent, Gwent, Kent, leant, lent, Lent, meant, pent, rent, scent, sent, spent, stent, tent, Trent, vent, went, * unbent, unspent, content, ferment, lament, unmeant, ascent, assent, per cent, consent, Tashkent, fragment, absent, accent, hellbent, segment, frequent, repent, misspent, indent, intent, extent, event, prevent, invent, relent, cement, descent, dissent, present, resent, forewent, forwent, torment, augment, foment, * advent, Advent, ferment, indent, content, Broadbent, portent, torment, * malcontent, Steradent®, heaven-sent, regiment, represent, circumvent, reinvent, represent, discontent, implement, nonevent, complement, compliment, document, ornament, orient, overspent, Stoke-on-Trent, underspent, underwent, supplement, * experiment, misrepresent, reorient, disorient
And sigh that one thing only has been lent
To youth and age in common – discontent.
MATTHEW ARNOLD
9.42 nth, tenth
9.43 Ben’s, Benz, cleanse, Fens, gens, glens, Gwen’s, hens, Ken’s, lens, pens, TENS, Wrens, * impatiens, Mercedes-Benz, vas deferens, * Homo sapiens, * delirium tremens, etc.
9.44 cep, Depp, hep, pep, PEP, prep, rep, schlep, step, steppe, yep, * unstep, Dieppe, * quickstep, instep, sidestep, doorstep, footstep, goosestep, * step-by-step, overstep
9.45 ceps, crêpes, reps, Schweppes®, steps, Steppes, * sidesteps, biceps, triceps, forceps, footsteps, * quadriceps, etc.
My mother groaned, my father wept.
Into the dangerous world I leapt.
WILLIAM BLAKE
9.46 crept, kept, leapt, sept, slept, stepped, swept, wept, * adept, unstepped, unwept, unswept, accept, backswept, well-kept, yclept, inept, except, * transept, percept, precept, windswept, sidestepped, concept, goosestepped, * intercept, overslept, overstepped
9.47 Bess, bless, cess, chess, cress, dress, guess, Hess, Hesse, Jess, less, mess, ness, press, S, stress, Tess, tress, yes, * profess, confess, unless, caress, oppress, suppress, compress, aggress, progress, address, undress, assess, process, obsess, success, possess, chapess, bad press, transgress, largesse, heiress, mayoress, Caithness, Skegness, SS, peeress, Sheerness, PS, priestess, re-dress, depress, repress, impress, express, regress, distress, redress, liquesce, finesse, recess, excess, princess, digress, stop press, Loch Ness, duress, fluoresce, Foulness, hostess, noblesse, US, Jewess, * abbess, abscess, access, headdress, excess, egress, Negress, recess, prioress, winepress, tigress, nightdress, goddess, compress, congress, Congress, laundress, prowess, countess, ogress, progress, process, sundress, * battledress, baroness, acquiesce, marchioness, patroness, second-guess, shepherdess, effervesce, effloresce, letterpress, retrogress, SAS, NHS, deliquesce, SOS, murderess, bouillabaisse, decompress, readdress, deaconess, evanesce, reassess, prepossess, repossess, Inverness, dispossess, incandesce, minidress, intumesce, lioness, Lyonnesse, pythoness, convalesce, obsolesce, phosphoresce, prophetess, politesse, authoress, sorceress, watercress, trouser press, coalesce, opalesce, overdress, poetess, nonetheless, governess, Dungeness, stewardess, luminesce, * nevertheless, manageress, couldn’t-care-less, Shoeburyness
9.48 desk, * burlesque, grotesque, * Kafkaesque, arabesque, statuesque, picaresque, picturesque, Romanesque, humoresque, Junoesque, Pythonesque
9.49 best, blessed, blest, breast, Brest, chest, crest, dressed, fest, guessed, guest, hest, jest, lest, messed, nest, pest, pressed, quest, rest, stressed, test, vest, west, wrest, zest, * attest, protest, contest, professed, confessed, molest, unblessed, arrest, caressed, abreast, oppressed, suppressed, compressed, progressed, addressed, undressed, unstressed, unrest, obsessed, possessed, suggest, congest, NatWest, hard-pressed, Mae West, well-dressed, Trieste, retest, prestressed, egest, id est, detest, infest, invest, behest, celeste, depressed, repressed, impressed, distressed, bequest, liquesced, request, Midwest, ingest, divest, digest, George Best, northwest, southwest, * gabfest, backrest, armrest, redbreast, headrest, retest, bitchfest, inquest, incest, digest, contest, songfest, conquest, house guest, protest, road test, goldcrest, processed, love nest, footrest, * acquiesced, manifest, Sackville-West, palimpsest, paying guest, second-best, self-confessed, effervesced, self-possessed, readdressed, repossessed, reinvest, rinderpest, interest, disinfest, disinvest, chimney breast, coalesced, overdressed, undervest, unaddressed, underdressed, Sunday best, unimpressed, unexpressed, Bucharest, Budapest, * Haverfordwest, chanson de geste, Marie Celeste, etc.
One flew east and one flew west,
And one flew over the cuckoo’s nest.
NURSERY RHYME
9.50 crèche, flesh, fresh, mesh, nesh, thresh, * afresh, crème fraîche, refresh, enmesh, * horseflesh, gooseflesh, * Marrakech, Bangladesh, Gilgamesh, synchromesh, * Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
9.51 ate, bet, Brett, debt, fret, get, het, jet, let, Lett, met, net, pet, Rhett, set, sett, stet, sweat, threat, vet, wet, whet, yet, * abet, forget, cadet, Chevette®, Colette, sublet, arête, barrette, Debrett, Annette, Jeanette, Nanette, cassette, upset, gazette, Capet, hackette, banquette, baguette, ladette, toilette, noisette, aigrette, layette, septet, sextet, curvet, Burnett, revet, preset, reset, Tibet, pipette, briquette, piquet, diskette, beget, quintet, nymphet, Yvette, Gillette, regret, vignette, Lynette, spinet, Wynette, beset, dinette, coquette, croquette, moquette, octet, nonet, offset, brochette, Claudette, quartet, corvette, Paulette, laundrette, lorgnette, courgette, georgette, Georgette, curette, Tourette, Odette, motet, rosette, duet, Phuket, roulette, brunette, Suzette, couchette, * dragnet, handset, Fastnet, hairnet, headset, tea set, inlet, kismet, fishnet, quickset, thickset, film set, inset, twinset, typeset, mind-set, offset, onset, outset, subset, upset, sunset, * alphabet, parapet, baronet, flannelette, avocet, Antoinette, satinet, clarinet, bassinet, statuette, marmoset, martinet, Lafayette, majorette, bayonet, maisonette, crêpe suzette, leatherette, epaulette, Letraset®, etiquette, netiquette, epithet, Exocet®, Bernadette, serviette, turbojet, cigarette, minaret, spinneret, Internet, intranet, winceyette, vinaigrette, kitchenette, silhouette, pirouette, minuet, cyberpet, scilicet, novelette, stockinet, overate, photoset, usherette, Mummerset, Somerset, suffragette, Juliet, oubliette, * marionette, eau de toilette
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget – lest we forget!
RUDYARD KIPLING
9.52 bets, Brett’s, debts, let’s, Metz, pets, sweats, threats, * cadets, Annette’s, Donets, cassettes, courgettes, brunettes, * salopettes, pantalettes, castanets, clarinets, majorettes, serviettes, cigarettes, suffragettes, etc.
9.53 breadth, * handbreadth
9.54 Beth, breath, death, saith, Seth, * Macbeth, * shibboleth
9.55 Beth’s, deaths, meths, Seth’s, etc.
9.56 Bev, rev, * maglev, Brezhnev, Kiev, * Nureyev, * Diaghilev, Prokofiev
9.57 fez, Kez, Les, says, * des res, Montez, Cortez, oyez, * Baez, Lopez, Gomez, * Fernandez, Rodriguez
10.1 Debbie, plebby, webby, Selby, Denbigh, Denby, Tenby, peppy, preppy, Sheppey, kelpie, tempi, * Giuseppe, Gillespie, Entebbe, * cobwebby, * Tio Pepe®
10.2 Becky, brekky, leccy, recce, techie, Nevski, pesky, eggy, leggy, Peggy, dengue, * kromesky, Radetzky, * Paderewski, Dostoevsky
10.3 eddy, Eddy, Freddy, heady, Neddy, ready, steady, teddy, Teddy, thready, bendy, trendy, Wendy, Bette, Betty, Getty, Hettie, jetty, petty, sweaty, yeti, empty, hefty, lefty, sheltie, Welty, plenty, twenty, chesty, testy, * unsteady, unready, already, Allende, effendi, crescendi, spaghetti, confetti, machete, Andretti, Rossetti, aplenty, * rough-and-ready, oven-ready, amoretti, Serengeti, Olivetti, Donizetti, cognoscenti, * modus vivendi, Deo volente, festina lente
10.4 Effie, Delphi, bevvy, bevy, Chevy, heavy, levee, levy, envy, breathy, healthy, stealthy, wealthy, lengthy, * Adelphi, top-heavy, unhealthy, * Abernethy
Drove my Chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry.
DON MCLEAN
10.5 belly, Delhi, deli, Ellie, jelly, Kelly, Melly, Nellie, nelly, Shelley, shelly, smelly, telly, welly, pebbly, trebly, Wembley, freckly, deadly, Hedley, medley, Smedley, friendly, Tetley, wetly, deftly, Bentley, gently, deathly, cleanly, Henley, Bexley, densely, tensely, Lesley, Leslie, Presley, Wesley, fleshly, freshly, Bletchley, Sketchley, beret, berry, Berry, bury, Bury, cherry, Ceri, Derry, ferry, Gerry, jerry, Jerry, Kerry, merry, perry, Perry, sherry, terry, Terry, very, wherry, debris, Hendry, entry, gentry, sentry, vestry, Elstree, Geoffrey, belfry, every, Henry, Dewi, * Grappelli, Clovelly, Corelli, Minnelli, Pwllheli, assembly, grotesquely, unfriendly, correctly, directly, intently, Llanelli, expressly, immensely, intensely, equerry, re-entry, * Leadbelly, potbelly, car ferry, Queensferry, knobkerrie, Horseferry, ancestry, * tagliatelle, Schiaparelli, Gabrieli, self-assembly, Zeffirelli, yellow-belly, vermicelli, incorrectly, indirectly, Botticelli, Torricelli, underbelly, user-friendly, elderberry, beriberi, necessary, whortleberry, serviceberry, Roddenberry, Pondicherry, boysenberry, loganberry, huckleberry, Huckleberry, Londonderry, * unnecessary, * Machiavelli, etc.
As o’er my latest book I pored,
Enjoying it immensely,
I suddenly exclaimed ‘Good Lord!’
And gripped the volume tensely.
P. G. WODEHOUSE
10.6 Clemmie, Emmy, jemmy, lemme, phlegmy, semi, Esme, any, Benny, blenny, Denny, Glennie, Jenny, Kenny, Lenny, many, penne, penny, Penny, Rennie, Stepney, Chesney, * antennae, Kilkenny, * spinning jenny, two-a-penny, * Abergavenny, * condemn me, etc.
10.7 Bessie, Crécy, dressy, Jesse, Jessie, messy, Nessie, Plessey, Pepsi®, Dempsey, sexy, Betsy, tsetse, Chelsea, Elsie, Selsey, pressie, frenzy, fleshy, sketchy, stretchy, tetchy, squelchy, Frenchy, edgy, veggie, * in esse, Mackenzie, * catalepsy, narcolepsy, epilepsy, apoplexy, cataplexy, Montmorency, Bangladeshi, Comaneci
10.8 Webber, Elba, Elbe, Melba, ember, member, leper, pepper, stepper, helper, yelper, temper, Vespa®, vesper, * Lloyd Webber, September, remember, dismember, December, November, distemper, * sidestepper, Culpeper, * misremember, * help her, etc.
Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November.
TRADITIONAL RHYME
10.9 Becker, checker, Decca, decker, Dekker, Mecca, pecker, Secker, trekker, wrecker, Wesker, beggar, Gregor, mega, Edgar, Helga, * Quebecker, Rebecca, exchequer, Francesca, McGregor, * Baedeker, spellchecker, oxpecker, Voortrekker, woodpecker, Heidegger, bootlegger, * double-decker, * peck her, beg her, etc.
10.10 bedder, Cheddar, Edda, header, Jedda, redder, shedder, shredder, spreader, tedder, threader, treader, elder, welder, Zelda, bender, blender, Brenda, fender, gender, Glenda, lender, mender, render, sender, slender, spender, Spender, splendour, tender, vendor, better, debtor, ETA, feta, fetter, getter, Greta, letter, setter, sweater, wetter, sceptre, tempter, hector, Hector, nectar, rector, sector, Spector, spectre, vector, EFTA, belter, delta, melter, Shelta, shelter, smelter, swelter, welter, centre, enter, renter, tenter, venter, Chester, cresta, ester, Esther, fester, Hester, jester, Leicester, Lester, Nesta, nester, pester, tester, Vesta, wester, zester, Webster, Dempster, Dexter, texter, Leominster, Leinster, * Griselda, suspender, addenda, attender, contender, offender, surrender, ascender, agenda, transgender, weekender, East Ender, pretender, extender, defender, descender, engender, pudenda, Bethesda, abetter, unfetter, Valletta, Loretta, Gambetta, Lambretta®, pancetta, vendetta, begetter, biretta, Rosetta, bruschetta, acceptor, preceptor, receptor, prospector, protector, Protector, convector, collector, connector, projector, objector, respecter, inspector, detector, defector, elector, selector, reflector, erector, ejector, rejector, director, bisector, dissector, lamenter, assentor, placenta, magenta, re-enter, preventer, inventor, frequenter, precentor, presenter, tormentor, Rowenta, polenta, protester, Avesta, molester, arrester, fiesta, siesta, Sylvester, investor, celesta, sequester, semester, trimester, digester, nor’wester, northwester, sou’wester, southwester, * homesteader, bartender, pacesetter, Leadbetter, trendsetter, typesetter, go-getter, bonesetter, newsletter, daycentre, Jobcentre, ancestor, * van de Velde, parascender, hacienda, referenda, recommender, corrigenda, moneylender, carburettor, Henrietta, operetta, interceptor, helter-skelter, epicentre, empty-nester, Cirencester, polyester, * sinfonietta, impedimenta, experimenter, * send her, let her, etc.
10.11 deafer, heifer, zephyr, clever, ever, never, sever, Trevor, delver, elver, selva, shelver, Denver, Jephthah, blether, feather, heather, Heather, leather, nether, tether, weather, wether, whether, * forever, wherever, whenever, endeavour, whichever, whatever, however, whoever, whomever, together, * Fairweather, bellwether, shoe leather, * wheresoever, never-never, whensoever, Micheldever, whatsoever, howsoever, whosoever, whomsoever, hell for leather, altogether
The glass is falling hour by hour, the glass will fall for ever,
But if you break the bloody glass you won’t hold up the weather.
LOUIS MACNEICE
10.12 Bella, cellar, Della, dweller, Ella, fella, fellah, feller, Heller, Keller, Mellor, Pella, seller, smeller, speller, Stella, stellar, teller, Weller, Puebla, trembler, Kepler, Templar, heckler, Spengler, meddler, medlar, peddler, pedlar, fettler, settler, gentler, wrestler, error, Ferrar, terror, Deborah, zebra, Petra, plectra, spectra, extra, Defra, Sèvres, Ezra, Quechua, Kenya, Lenya, tenure, * propeller, McKellar, patella, novella, umbrella, lamella, candela, Mandela, Marcella, bestseller, reseller, repeller, impeller, dispeller, expeller, Estella, Fenella, Kinsella, paella, Viyella®, Nigella, foreteller, Floella, Louella, rubella, Prunella, assembler, exemplar, embezzler, belles-lettres, et cetera, Electra, * tale-teller, cave-dweller, bierkeller, saltcellar, bookseller, knee-trembler, * Arabella, Annabella, a cappella, panatella, tarantella, salmonella, varicella, cerebellar, legionella, Isabella, interstellar, Cinderella, villanella, citronella, Rockefeller, mozzarella, storyteller, fin de siècle, cause célèbre, raison d’être, Clytemnestra, * Valpolicella, * sell her, tell her, etc.
10.13 Emma, Gemma, hemmer, lemma, stemma, tremor, smegma, Elmer, Selma, Thelma, Mesmer, henna, Jenna, Jenner, penna, senna, Senna, tenner, tenor, Edna, Etna, Gretna, Ventnor, Bremner, Cessna, * ack-emma, pip-emma, dilemma, McKenna, Ravenna, antenna, Siena, sienna, Vienna, Gehenna, Morwenna, duenna, * condemn her, etc.
10.14 dresser, guesser, Hesse, lesser, lessor, stressor, Tessa, TESSA, flexor, sexer, vexer, Elsa, censer, censor, ENSA, fencer, Mensa, sensor, spencer, Spencer, Spenser, tenser, tensor, cleanser, leisure, measure, pleasure, treasure, Cheshire, Escher, flesher, fresher, pressure, thresher, censure, betcha, etcher, fetcher, fletcher, Fletcher, lecher, sketcher, stretcher, lecture, belcher, squelcher, bencher, denture, quencher, trencher, venture, gesture, texture, dredger, edger, hedger, ledger, pledger, * suppressor, compressor, aggressor, addresser, professor, confessor, Vanessa, assessor, successor, possessor, depressor, repressor, Odessa, Alexa, condenser, Walesa, dispenser, extensor, Demelza, cadenza, credenza, displeasure, refresher, dementia, conjecture, adventure, backbencher, debenture, indenture, frontbencher, St Leger, avenger, * hairdresser, processor, indexer, prefecture, thirst-quencher, * decompressor, repossessor, predecessor, Alka-Seltzer®, influenza, made-to-measure, countermeasure, acupressure, architecture, peradventure, misadventure, Bonaventure, * Nebuchadnezzar, * microprocessor, * assess her, refresh her, etc.
Now hatred is by far the longest pleasure;
Men love in haste, but they detest at leisure.
LORD BYRON
10.15 epic, Vedic, medic, Celtic, peptic, sceptic, septic, hectic, Delphic, Elphick, pelvic, ethic, Smethwick, relic, Berwick, cleric, Derek, derrick, Eric, ferric, Herrick, Merrick, redbrick, Cedric, Ettrick, metric, Prestwick, Sedgewick, Fenwick, Chetnik, ethnic, Selznick, Beswick, Keswick, Belgic, * alembic, prophetic, bathetic, pathetic, balletic, phonetic, acetic, ascetic, athletic, magnetic, Helvetic, hermetic, aesthetic, synthetic, emetic, mimetic, frenetic, genetic, kinetic, splenetic, pyretic, prosthetic, cosmetic, poetic, aseptic, dyspeptic, eupeptic, eclectic, dyslectic, authentic, domestic, majestic, malefic, benefic, angelic, Goidelic, enteric, mesmeric, hysteric, generic, chimeric, Homeric, numeric, symmetric, obstetric, electric, concentric, eccentric, Scalextric®, polemic, alchemic, pandemic, endemic, systemic, totemic, transgenic, Hellenic, irenic, eugenic, dyslexic, pyrexic, forensic, * paramedic, alphabetic, apathetic, parenthetic, Masoretic, anaesthetic, arithmetic, empathetic, energetic, theoretic, sympathetic, synergetic, kinaesthetic, synaesthetic, diabetic, diuretic, cybernetic, dietetic, copacetic, cataleptic, analeptic, antiseptic, narcoleptic, epileptic, neuroleptic, Euro-sceptic, apoplectic, anorectic, dialectic, psychedelic, evangelic, stratospheric, atmospheric, exoteric, hemispheric, esoteric, climacteric, isomeric, tachometric, barometric, parametric, asymmetric, hexametric, telemetric, thermometric, geometric, kilometric, biometric, diametric, psychometric, isometric, dielectric, bisymmetric, optometric, chronometric, volumetric, photometric, ethnocentric, geocentric, egocentric, Eurocentric, academic, epidemic, pathogenic, allergenic, callisthenic, telegenic, oestrogenic, schizophrenic, cryogenic, psychogenic, oncogenic, autogenic, neurasthenic, photogenic, mutagenic, pyrotechnic, polytechnic, geodesic, anorexic, * apologetic, * peripatetic, antipathetic, unsympathetic, diaphoretic, antimagnetic, ferromagnetic, photosynthetic, antiemetic, telekinetic, psychokinetic, antipyretic, alphanumeric, anthropometric, trigonometric, sociometric, hydroelectric, photoelectric, nonacademic, radiogenic, carcinogenic, mediagenic, * electromagnetic, hallucinogenic
10.16 medics, sceptics, ethics, relics, clerics, Derek’s, Eric’s, Hendrix, Essex, Wessex, * appendix, phonetics, ascetics, athletics, magnetics, aesthetics, synthetics, emetics, genetics, kinetics, prosthetics, cosmetics, poetics, domestics, hysterics, obstetrics, electrics, directrix, polemics, eugenics, * paramedics, anaesthetics, diabetics, diuretics, Callanetics, cybernetics, dietetics, homiletics, epileptics, Euro-sceptics, dialectics, atmospherics, biometrics, psychometrics, isometrics, academics, cryogenics, callisthenics, pyrotechnics, polytechnics, etc.
10.17 tepid, eddied, steadied, splendid, fetid, emptied, levied, envied, bellied, gelid, jellied, buried, ferried, serried, jemmied, blessed, frenzied, wretched, * intrepid, three-legged, long-legged, cross-legged, bow-legged, unenvied, potbellied, unburied, * yellow-bellied, etc.
10.18 leopard, peppered, shepherd, Shepard, headed, leaded, shredded, wedded, blended, ended, mended, tended, betted, bettered, fretted, lettered, fettered, sweated, tempted, sheltered, sweltered, centred, dented, entered, scented, festered, pestered, rested, tested, vested, Bedford, Redford, Deptford, Stretford, Telford, Wexford, Chelmsford, severed, method, tethered, weathered, Herod, Edward, westward, tenured, Leonard, Reynard, censored, leisured, measured, treasured, censured, Trenchard, ventured, * remembered, unleaded, hard-headed, bareheaded, red-headed, clear-headed, three-headed, beheaded, bigheaded, pigheaded, light-headed, hot-headed, baldheaded, two-headed, attended, untended, amended, commended, unmended, ascended, pretended, intended, distended, extended, defended, befriended, descended, unfettered, unlettered, indebted, accepted, excepted, attempted, suspected, protected, affected, collected, corrected, connected, expected, detected, infected, elected, reflected, dejected, directed, dissected, undented, contented, fermented, lamented, consented, unscented, accented, self-centred, repented, invented, demented, augmented, attested, contested, untested, molested, congested, flat-chested, invested, requested, sequestered, digested, eisteddfod, unsevered, untethered, northwestward, southwestward, uncensored, unmeasured, uncensured, * level-headed, empty-headed, muddleheaded, recommended, unattended, unintended, undefended, undescended, apprehended, unaccepted, unattempted, disaffected, disconnected, unsuspected, unprotected, unaffected, uncollected, uncorrected, unconnected, unexpected, undetected, uninfected, unelected, unreflected, uninflected, undirected, regimented, represented, discontented, documented, ornamented, unfermented, unlamented, unaccented, unfrequented, redigested, single-breasted, unattested, uncontested, unmolested, double-breasted, uncongested, unrequested, undigested, * unprecedented, unrepresented, undocumented, etc.
A little still she strove, and much repented,
And whispering ‘I will ne’er consent’ – consented.
LORD BYRON
10.19 leopards, shepherds, Edwards, Leonard’s, westwards, * northwestwards, southwestwards, etc.
10.20 wreckage, tentage, vestige, selvedge, Redbridge, Bembridge, Selfridge, ennage, Greenwich, message, presage, * appendage, curettage, percentage, assemblage
10.21 pebble, rebel, treble, Kemble, tremble, Keppel, sepal, Semple, temple, deckle, freckle, heckle, Jekyll, shekel, speckle, medal, meddle, pedal, peddle, reddle, treadle, Weddell, Grendel, Kendal, Lendl, Mendel, Pendle, Rendell, Wendell, fettle, Gretel, kettle, metal, mettle, nettle, petal, settle, septal, rectal, dental, gentle, lentil, mental, rental, festal, vestal, TEFL, helpful, dreadful, fretful, restful, healthful, Grenfell, stressful, vengeful, bevel, devil, level, Neville, revel, Bethel, Ethel, ethyl, methyl, Errol, beryl, Beryl, Cheryl, feral, ferrule, Meryl, peril, federal, tendril, petrel, petrol, spectral, central, ventral, kestrel, dextral, several, general, fennel, kennel, regnal, Cecil, Chessell, nestle, pestle, TESL, trestle, vessel, wrestle, Edsel, pretzel, quetzal, pencil, stencil, bezel, Denzil, special, * assemble, dissemble, resemble, backpedal, prebendal, pudendal, unsettle, resettle, parental, placental, judgmental, unhelpful, forgetful, regretful, respectful, neglectful, eventful, resentful, successful, revengeful, bedevil, split-level, dishevel, imperil, integral, campestral, ancestral, sylvestral, orchestral, commensal, utensil, embezzle, especial, potential, torrential, tangential, credential, sequential, essential, prudential, * gunmetal, daredevil, she-devil, eyelevel, * reassemble, disassemble, sacramental, transcendental, accidental, temperamental, sentimental, elemental, detrimental, regimental, departmental, interdental, instrumental, incidental, incremental, compartmental, Oriental, Occidental, continental, nonjudgmental, monumental, ornamental, fundamental, governmental, supplemental, disrespectful, uneventful, unsuccessful, deferential, preferential, referential, reverential, exponential, evidential, presidential, residential, penitential, existential, pestilential, differential, inferential, quintessential, inessential, influential, confidential, providential, consequential, nonessential, * transcontinental, coincidental, experimental, environmental, nonaccidental, nongovernmental, unsentimental, subcontinental, nonresidential, experiential, inconsequential, * Popocatépetl, interdepartmental, intercontinental, intergovernmental
Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
And it soft as silk remains.
AARON HILL
10.22 freckled, heckled, metalled, nettled, settled, nestled, wrestled, Gerald, herald, * assembled, unsettled, bedevilled, Fitzgerald, embezzled, etc.
10.23 pebbles, Eccles, freckles, speckles, Engels, medals, pedals, nettles, petals, lentils, kennels, pencils, * utensils, credentials, essentials, etc.
10.24 Blenheim, denim, * defend him, lent him, etc.
10.25 Beckham, Peckham, Shechem, welcome, Wellcome, Egham, seldom, Streatham, septum, rectum, Eltham, Feltham, Trentham, Bentham, Pelham, vellum, emblem, peplum, bedlam, Meldrum, plectrum, spectrum, Denham, venom, Epsom, Wrexham, jetsam, Chesham, Gresham, Belgium, * unwelcome, addendum, agendum, pudendum, momentum, flagellum, post-bellum, exemplum, electrum, envenom, * referendum, corrigendum, antebellum, cerebellum, interregnum, * send ’em, wrecked ’em, etc.
10.26 Pepin, tenpin, Elgin, cretin, pecten, pectin, Quentin, destine, elfin, Bevin, Kevin, Previn, Levin, Kelvin, Melvin, Welwyn, Devlin, Emlyn, gremlin, Kremlin, Erin, Perrin, Sherrin, eccrine, penguin, Edwin, Selwyn, Lenin, rennin, venin, pepsin, Yeltsin, resin, engine, * Potemkin, San Quentin, progestin, clandestine, predestine, intestine, Helvellyn, Fluellen, Llewellyn, muezzin, * gibberellin, antivenin, vasopressin, Taliesin, * settin’, dressin’, etc.
10.27 ebon, Melbourne, weapon, hempen, beckon, Brecon, Deccan, reckon, Mencken, Megan, deaden, leaden, redden, Seddon, Sneddon, Hebdon, Sheldon, Weldon, Brendan, Hendon, tendon, Dresden, Breton, jetton, threaten, Repton, lectern, Elton, Melton, Skelton, Benton, Denton, Fenton, Kenton, lenten, Trenton, Preston, western, Weston, sextan, sexton, deafen, Stéphane, Bevan, Devon, Evan, heaven, leaven, seven, Severn, Bethan, lengthen, strengthen, leathern, Ellen, felon, Helen, melon, Declan, heron, veteran, chevron, brethren, Kenyan, Kenyon, Emmen, Lemmon, lemon, Yemen, Helpmann, headman, Steadman, Feldman, bellman, Hellman, penman, chessman, desman, pressman, helmsman, freshman, Welshman, Frenchman, henchman, Brennan, Lennon, pennon, tenon, * Tibetan, Avestan, Midwestern, eleven, McKellen, Magellan, rebellion, Trevelyan, * muskmelon, * Armageddon, pademelon, watermelon, philodendron, rhododendron, Agamemnon
And bound on that journey you find your attorney (who started that morning from Devon);
He’s a bit undersized, and you don’t feel surprised when he tells you he’s only eleven.
W. S. GILBERT
10.28 Essen, lessen, lesson, Wesson, Epson, Texan, Stetson®, Belsen, Nelson, Benson, ensign, Jensen, cession, freshen, session, section, flexion, gentian, mention, pension, tension, question, Belgian, * half-nelson, full nelson, profession, confession, oppression, suppression, compression, aggression, progression, procession, obsession, succession, concession, possession, transgression, accession, depression, Depression, repression, impression, expression, discretion, regression, precession, recession, secession, digression, perception, conception, deception, reception, inception, exception, preemption, redemption, exemption, protection, affection, perfection, confection, convection, collection, complexion, correction, connection, projection, subsection, objection, subjection, inspection, detection, defection, refection, infection, election, selection, deflection, reflection, inflection, erection, resection, dejection, ejection, rejection, injection, direction, bisection, dissection, cross-section, suspension, attention, contention, subvention, convention, ascension, Ascension, abstention, detention, pretension, retention, intention, distension, extension, prevention, invention, declension, dissension, dimension, Laurentian, Lawrentian, suggestion, congestion, ingestion, digestion, * self-possession, self-expression, decompression, prepossession, repossession, intercession, dispossession, indiscretion, nonaggression, apperception, self-deception, preconception, interception, misconception, contraception, retrospection, self-protection, retroflexion, recollection, resurrection, Resurrection, self-selection, genuflection, circumspection, reconnection, reinfection, pre-election, re-election, deselection, reselection, redirection, predilection, introspection, imperfection, disaffection, insurrection, disconnection, intersection, interjection, disinfection, vivisection, by-election, apprehension, reprehension, circumvention, reinvention, inattention, intervention, hypertension, hypotension, contravention, comprehension, condescension, self-suggestion, indigestion, * delicatessen, hypercorrection, misapprehension, incomprehension, nonintervention, autosuggestion, * immunosuppression, antivivisection
10.29 beckoned, fecund, reckoned, second, threatened, deafened, leavened, Cleland, Welland, headland, Shetland, wetland, Westland, errand, gerund, reverend, Reverend, Edmund, Redmond, Esmond, Desmond, lessened, freshened, mentioned, questioned, legend, * split-second, unleavened, unmentioned, unquestioned, * aforementioned, * nanosecond, millisecond, microsecond, well-intentioned, undermentioned, etc.
George the First was always reckoned
Vile, but viler George the Second.
WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR
10.30 seconds, Shetlands, wetlands, errands, Edmonds, legends, * Bury St Edmunds, etc.
10.31 tenpins, Jenkins, Emlyn’s, gremlins, penguins, Edwin’s, * intestines, etc.
10.32 weapons, reckons, Megan’s, tendons, Evans, heavens, sevens, melons, lemons, lessons, sessions, Sessions, sections, pensions, questions, * elevens, good heavens, St Helens, rebellions, professions, processions, concessions, possessions, exceptions, connections, objections, reflections, conventions, abstentions, intentions, suggestions, etc.
10.33 peccant, pedant, pendant, pendent, extant, sextant, errant, gerent, entrant, segment, vestment, clement, Clement, pennant, tenant, Tennant, pregnant, regnant, remnant, Besant, Cheshunt, crescent, peasant, pheasant, pleasant, present, sentient, trenchant, * attendant, ascendant, transcendent, dependant, dependent, defendant, intendant, resplendent, descendant, expectant, repentant, contestant, appellant, propellant, flagellant, repellent, expellant, aberrant, deterrent, inherent, knight-errant, vicegerent, re-entrant, inclement, amendment, abetment, revetment, curettement, contentment, resentment, investment, assessment, commencement, refreshment, retrenchment, entrenchment, subtenant, lieutenant, confessant, suppressant, pearlescent, quiescent, depressant, excrescent, senescent, incessant, fluorescent, pubescent, putrescent, unpleasant, consentient, presentient, dissentient, insentient, * independent, disinfectant, unrepentant, decongestant, interpellant, reinvestment, reassessment, sublieutenant, adolescent, acquiescent, effervescent, deliquescent, evanescent, prepubescent, recrudescent, incandescent, iridescent, convalescent, obsolescent, phosphorescent, coalescent, opalescent, juvenescent, luminescent, omnipresent, * interdependent, overdependent, superintendent, antidepressant, preadolescent, * immunosuppressant
10.34 pedants, pendants, sentence, semblance, Terence, entrance, deference, preference, reference, reverence, Reverence, severance, vestments, penance, tenants, remnants, essence, peasants, pheasants, Pleasence, presence, presents, sentience, vengeance, * attendance, attendants, transcendence, dependants, dependence, resplendence, acceptance, repentance, contestants, repellence, resemblance, aberrance, deterrence, remembrance, irreverence, amendments, quiescence, quintessence, excrescence, senescence, fluorescence, pubescence, putrescence, insentience, * independence, nonattendance, adolescence, adolescents, acquiescence, effervescence, deliquescence, evanescence, prepubescence, recrudescence, inflorescence, incandescence, iridescence, convalescence, obsolescence, phosphorescence, coalescence, opalescence, juvenescence, luminescence, omnipresence, * interdependence, overdependence, superintendence, antidepressants, preadolescence, etc.
10.35 seventh, * eleventh
10.36 ebbing, webbing, Epping, stepping, helping, yelping, checking, decking, necking, pecking, trekking, begging, legging, pegging, bedding, dreading, heading, leading, Reading, Redding, shredding, spreading, treading, wedding, gelding, welding, bending, blending, ending, mending, pending, spending, tending, letting, netting, setting, wetting, tempting, betting, fretting, netting, setting, sweating, wetting, belting, felting, melting, pelting, smelting, tenting, venting, jesting, nesting, resting, testing, delving, dwelling, felling, selling, smelling, spelling, swelling, telling, yelling, trembling, heckling, meddling, peddling, settling, nestling, wrestling, fledgling, herring, headspring, wellspring, redwing, sweptwing, Fleming, hemming, lemming, stemming, helming, Denning, penning, Steyning, blessing, dressing, guessing, Lessing, pressing, flexing, vexing, fencing, Tenzing, threshing, etching, fetching, retching, sketching, stretching, belching, squelching, clenching, drenching, quenching, wrenching, dredging, edging, hedging, pledging, sledging, wedging, * bedecking, spot-checking, beheading, unbending, attending, offending, unending, ascending, transcending, impending, pretending, intending, extending, defending, descending, abetting, forgetting, upsetting, besetting, excepting, prospecting, affecting, collecting, connecting, projecting, respecting, expecting, fermenting, lamenting, consenting, repenting, eventing, relenting, dissenting, presenting, tormenting, protesting, molesting, arresting, suggesting, investing, requesting, compelling, reselling, misspelling, excelling, condemning, confessing, caressing, progressing, undressing, depressing, distressing, digressing, commencing, dispensing, refreshing, alleging, avenging, * doorstepping, bootlegging, deadheading, subheading, heart-rending, mind-bending, trendsetting, filmsetting, typesetting, blood-letting, hairdressing, well-dressing, processing, * double-checking, featherbedding, parascending, condescending, overspending, moneylending, thermosetting, stamp-collecting, self-respecting, intersecting, unsuspecting, unrelenting, unprotesting, storytelling, acquiescing, decompressing, prepossessing, repossessing, * uncomprehending, interconnecting, unprepossessing, etc.
10.37 helpings, leggings, headings, weddings, endings, settings, dwellings, spellings, herrings, lemmings, Jennings, blessings, etchings, etc.
10.38 develop, envelop, * redevelop
10.39 Lesseps, * develops, envelops, * redevelops
10.40 developed, enveloped, * redeveloped, * underdeveloped, undeveloped
10.41 Geddes, Lettice, lettuce, Prentiss, testis, Memphis, crevice, Elvis, pelvis, Ellis, trellis, derris, Ferris, Nerys, Emrys, premise, Dennis, Ennis, Glenys, menace, tennis, Venice, sepsis, lexis, * apprentice, Ben Nevis, Llanberis, Alexis, asepsis, * compos mentis, antisepsis, * Thomas à Kempis, non compos mentis, amanuensis, * in loco parentis
Better mention ‘The Merchant of Venice’
When her sweet pound o’ flesh you would menace.
COLE PORTER
10.42 trespass, preface, Hellas, jealous, zealous, helpless, feckless, necklace, reckless, legless, headless, endless, friendless, restless, selfless, breathless, deathless, stressless, sexless, senseless, ferrous, terrace, empress, Esdras, temptress, sempstress, dextrous, generous, genus, redness, wetness, deftness, deafness, wellness, freshness, nexus, plexus, Texas, census, precious, * horrendous, tremendous, stupendous, prospectus, conspectus, momentous, portentous, asbestos, Marcellus, relentless, defenceless, Mackerras, nonferrous, ungenerous, rebellious, correctness, directness, consensus, infectious, contentious, tendentious, sententious, pretentious, dissentious, licentious, * overzealous, ambidextrous, overgenerous, solar plexus, Paracelsus, semiprecious, conscientious, unpretentious, * expect us, refresh us, etc.
10.43 tempest, trespassed, reddest, eldest, wettest, deafest, prefaced, breakfast, steadfast, gentlest, terraced, tensest, freshest, etc.
10.44 leftist, dentist, cellist, check list, chemist, menaced, sexist, * librettist, cornettist, apprenticed, * clarinettist, irredentist, biochemist, * heterosexist
10.45 peckish, reddish, Lettish, fetish, pettish, Kentish, wreckfish, elfish, selfish, shellfish, hellish, relish, cherish, perish, blemish, Flemish, Rhenish, * coquettish, unselfish, embellish, replenish
10.46 relished, cherished, perished, blemished, * embellished, unblemished, replenished, * unembellished
10.47 Egbert, Prescot, Prescott, legate, effort, Evert, Helot, prelate, zealot, template, desert
10.48 cesspit, respite, debit, Tebbitt, Nesbit, Becket, Beckett, credit, edit, geddit, velvet, pellet, necklet, ferret, merit, emmet, helmet, pelmet, Bennett, genet, rennet, senate, sennet, tenet, bedsit, exit, Melchett, * decrepit, subedit, accredit, discredit, coedit, demerit, inherit, herb bennet, * disinherit, * check it, said it, etc.
If, with the literate, I am
Impelled to try an epigram,
I never seek to take the credit;
We all assume that Oscar said it.
DOROTHY PARKER
10.49 Elspeth, Hesketh, Knebworth, Hepworth, Petworth, Exmouth, Emsworth, Letchworth, Kenneth
10.50 festive, restive, pensive, * perceptive, deceptive, receptive, pre-emptive, redemptive, perspective, prospective, protective, affective, collective, corrective, connective, objective, subjective, respective, detective, effective, defective, infective, invective, elective, selective, reflective, directive, attentive, retentive, preventive, inventive, incentive, suggestive, digestive, oppressive, aggressive, progressive, obsessive, successive, possessive, depressive, repressive, impressive, expressive, regressive, recessive, excessive, digressive, reflexive, offensive, expensive, intensive, extensive, defensive, * contraceptive, unreceptive, retrospective, irrespective, ineffective, nonselective, unreflective, inattentive, disincentive, unimpressive, apprehensive, inoffensive, inexpensive, comprehensive, coextensive, * overprotective, counteroffensive
10.51 eddies, readies, teddies, Betty’s, empties, lefties, twenties, testes, bevvies, heavies, jellies, wellies, berries, cherries, sentries, Jeffreys, Jenny’s, pennies, pressies, Menzies, etc.
10.52 members, vespers, checkers, Chequers, beggars, elders, welders, betters, fetters, feathers, leathers, Bella’s, Mellors, Sellers, hecklers, settlers, errors, terrors, tremors, Jenna’s, tenors, dresses, guesses, Messrs, tresses, senses, sensors, pleasures, treasures, sketches, wretches, edges, hedges, * Rebecca’s, suspenders, offenders, EastEnders, directors, investors, expenses, adventures, Avengers, etc.
10.53 Enderby, Wetherby, therapy, entropy, jeopardy, yesterday, melody, threnody, Wednesday, Hecate, Hegarty, Peggotty, deputy, penalty, specialty, seventy, beggarly, elderly, slenderly, tenderly, mentally, westerly, helpfully, dreadfully, Beverley, cleverly, Everly, centrally, severally, generally, Thessaly, leisurely, specially, terribly, preferably, memorably, sensibly, legibly, westwardly, secondly, separately, desperately, pleasantly, presently, heavenly, jealously, zealously, recklessly, breathlessly, peppery, peccary, beggary, Gregory, rectory, reverie, feathery, heathery, leathery, celery, Ellery, temporary, equerry, vespiary, bestiary, vestiary, breviary, emery, memory, hennery, venery, pessary, sensory, treasury, lechery, treachery, century, elderberry, heraldry, prebendary, secondary, legendary, repertory, predatory, prefatory, helotry, zealotry, desultory, pedantry, sedentary, errantry, peasantry, pleasantry, devilry, revelry, weaponry, heronry, lectionary, Jeremy, Bellamy, enemy, sesame, ebony, betony, tetany, empathy, Stephanie, Bethany, felony, Melanie, lemony, Yemeni, embassy, legacy, ecstasy, jealousy, prelacy, heresy, leprosy, Hennessey, tendency, clemency, tenancy, pregnancy, Pevensey, energy, lethargy, * Penelope, synecdoche, telegraphy, telepathy, northwesterly, southwesterly, unhelpfully, regretfully, respectfully, resentfully, successfully, especially, potentially, essentially, impeccably, incredibly, regrettably, perceptibly, respectably, irreparably, ostensibly, illegibly, contentedly, expectantly, unpleasantly, horrendously, tremendously, relentlessly, extempore, pro tempore, grotesquery, peremptory, trajectory, refectory, directory, exemplary, contemporary, extemporary, incendiary, stipendiary, millenary, accessory, dispensary, knight-errantry, concessionary, discretionary, confectionery, mastectomy, vasectomy, lumpectomy, McMenemy, archenemy, chalcedony, Persephone, telephony, miscellany, anemone, Gethsemane, hegemony, intestacy, supremacy, discrepancy, ascendancy, dependency, expectancy, inclemency, * chemotherapy, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, hydrotherapy, transcendentally, accidentally, temperamentally, sentimentally, departmentally, incidentally, incrementally, monumentally, fundamentally, disrespectfully, uneventfully, unsuccessfully, preferentially, influentially, confidentially, unforgettably, imperceptibly, unexpectedly, exdirectory, alimentary, parliamentary, testamentary, sedimentary, elementary, complementary, complimentary, documentary, supplementary, rudimentary, extrasensory, penitentiary, appendectomy, hysterectomy, tonsillectomy, open sesame, independency, * electrotherapy, aromatherapy, unsentimentally, experimentally, coincidentally, environmentally, * radiotherapy, physiotherapy, unparliamentary, uncomplimentary, plenipotentiary, etc.
10.54 recipe, remedy, Kennedy, entity, brevity, levity, velvety, verity, equity, Equity, enmity, lenity, density, readily, steadily, heavily, healthily, stealthily, merrily, verily, Emily, Cecily, messily, sketchily, tetchily, medically, sceptically, ethically, chemically, technically, ethnically, splendidly, pensively, temptingly, selfishly, pellitory, territory, secretary, cemetery, presbytery, dentistry, chemistry, registry, veterinary, seminary, destiny, Medici, effigy, elegy, * heredity, identity, nonentity, longevity, fidelity, asperity, dexterity, severity, celerity, temerity, sincerity, prosperity, austerity, posterity, celebrity, integrity, inequity, unsteadily, primarily, prophetically, pathetically, phonetically, magnetically, hermetically, aesthetically, synthetically, frenetically, genetically, poetically, identically, authentically, majestically, angelically, hysterically, generically, numerically, symmetrically, electrically, eccentrically, nonsensically, confessedly, professedly, allegedly, deceptively, protectively, collectively, objectively, subjectively, respectively, effectively, attentively, oppressively, aggressively, progressively, successively, impressively, excessively, offensively, intensively, extensively, defensively, depressingly, distressingly, refreshingly, unselfishly, hereditary, telemetry, extremity, Yosemite, serenity, obscenity, solemnity, indemnity, necessity, convexity, perplexity, complexity, propensity, intensity, immensity, * infidelity, insincerity, necessarily, voluntarily, ordinarily, momentarily, alphabetically, apathetically, parenthetically, arithmetically, energetically, theoretically, sympathetically, hypothetically, geometrically, diametrically, academically, retrospectively, apprehensively, inoffensively, comprehensively, unsuspectingly, overwhelmingly, undersecretary, biochemistry, * unnecessarily, involuntarily, unsympathetically, apologetically, etc.
10.55 deputy, helpfully, dreadfully, sexually, sensually, February, estuary, penury, * unhelpfully, regretfully, respectfully, resentfully, successfully, perpetually, conceptually, effectually, eventually, * disrespectfully, uneventfully, unsuccessfully, ineffectually, intellectually, etc.
10.56 djellaba, sepulchre, seconder, Shetlander, predator, senator, metaphor, helluva, leveller, reveller, Deborah, emperor, Klemperer, tempera, tempura, plethora, genera, tessera, treasurer, lecturer, reckoner, Smetana, threatener, westerner, Eleanor, Helena, pensioner, questioner, trespasser, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, premature, sepulture, replica, erica, Erica, Seneca, Jessica, Cressida, reseda, presbyter, creditor, editor, heritor, genitor, Exeter, register, Pettifer, Jennifer, Hegira, enema, Bessemer, eczema, retina, Elinor, perisher, temperature, messenger, Schlesinger, rescuer, Hecuba, nebula, fecula, secular, regular, scheduler, cellular, * developer, telegrapher, et cetera, ephemera, confectioner, remembrancer, nomenclature, angelica, America, subeditor, competitor, inheritor, non sequitur, progenitor, deregister, umbellifer, expenditure, investiture, divestiture, progeniture, executor, molecular, Benbecula, Vulpecula, irregular, * ready-reckoner, primogenitor, Quadragesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima, primogeniture, * Septuagesima,
10.57 peskier, readier, steadier, trendier, pettier, sweatier, emptier, heavier, healthier, wealthier, smellier, deadlier, friendlier, burier, Ferrier, merrier, terrier, premier, denier, Chechnya, dressier, messier, sexier, sketchier, * compendia, Ossetia, poinsettia, unhealthier, Saint Helier, sommelier, hotelier, millennia, dyspepsia, eupepsia, alexia, dyslexia, pyrexia, Valencia, * in absentia, Philadelphia, psychedelia, anorexia, * intelligentsia, etc.
10.58 shepherded, heralded, heavenward, debited, credited, edited, merited, exited, registered, Hereford, Beresford, Hereward, * unheralded, untenanted, unedited, unmerited, unregistered
10.59 heavenwards, Hereward’s
It is not that I am not sensible
To merits in themselves ostensible.
LORD BYRON
10.60 beddable, credible, edible, spreadable, bendable, mendable, sendable, spendable, vendible, gettable, wettable, rentable, vegetable, effable, sellable, terrible, reparable, separable, preferable, memorable, equable, tenable, pregnable, guessable, flexible, sensible, legible, spectacle, pentacle, tentacle, temporal, federal, pectoral, femoral, general, textural, sectional, bestial, burial, Meriel, Tenniel, medical, pedicle, sceptical, testicle, ethical, helical, pellicle, clerical, spherical, metrical, ventricle, chemical, technical, vesicle, lexical, skeletal, genital, vegetal, pedestal, plentiful, aestival, festival, cerebral, decimal, retinal, sentinel, seminal, Lemuel, menstrual, sexual, sensual, textual, * impeccable, incredible, inedible, commendable, dependable, expendable, extendable, defendable, forgettable, regrettable, perceptible, susceptible, acceptable, contemptible, perfectible, collectable, respectable, detectable, delectable, electable, injectable, lamentable, preventable, presentable, contestable, arrestable, comestible, suggestible, detestable, digestible, ineffable, unsellable, indelible, irreparable, inseparable, unmemorable, inequable, untenable, impregnable, impressionable, addressable, accessible, expressible, inflexible, dispensable, defensible, insensible, ostensible, unquenchable, receptacle, electoral, ephemeral, outgeneral, conjectural, professional, confessional, congressional, processional, obsessional, recessional, exceptional, directional, conventional, intentional, celestial, terrestrial, bimestrial, perennial, centennial, millennial, quinquennial, decennial, biennial, triennial, quadrennial, heretical, poetical, conventicle, identical, unethical, hysterical, chimerical, numerical, symmetrical, obstetrical, calendrical, electrical, polemical, arsenical, nontechnical, nonsensical, congenital, centesimal, millesimal, intestinal, trigeminal, premenstrual, transsexual, asexual, bisexual, consensual, perpetual, conceptual, perceptual, aspectual, effectual, eventual, contextual, * unforgettable, imperceptible, unacceptable, undetectable, unelectable, unpreventable, incontestable, indigestible, inaccessible, irrepressible, inexpressible, reprehensible, indispensable, indefensible, comprehensible, architectural, unprofessional, unexceptional, three-dimensional, unconventional, unintentional, two-dimensional, premillennial, quincentennial, bicentennial, tricentennial, postmillennial, alphabetical, antithetical, arithmetical, theoretical, hypothetical, evangelical, anticlerical, hemispherical, asymmetrical, geometrical, biometrical, diametrical, academical, agrochemical, petrochemical, biochemical, photochemical, ecumenical, hexadecimal, duodecimal, homosexual, ineffectual, intellectual, * incomprehensible, semiprofessional, omnidirectional, unidirectional, extraterrestrial, infinitesimal, gastrointestinal, heterosexual
So please grip this fact with your cerebral tentacle
The doll and its maker are never identical.
ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
10.61 spectacled, tentacled, emerald, Reginald, * bespectacled
10.62 Venables, spectacles, tentacles, chemicals, decimals, etc.
10.63 Debenham, Cheltenham, venturesome, meddlesome, mettlesome, speculum, pendulum, * compendium, millennium
10.64 decagon, heptagon, pentagon, Pentagon, hexagon, Tenterdon, Benenden, Pemberton, Chesterton, Everton, Sheraton, Templeton, Pendleton, Edmonton, Edgbaston, Featherstone, veteran, Telamon, Betjeman, trencherman, gentleman, Perelman, Lebanon, Henderson, Jefferson, Emerson, Edmondson, Mendelssohn, lesbian, Thespian, Delphian, hessian, Helicon, pelican, pemmican, lexicon, Mexican, Heligan, Crediton, skeleton, Benetton, Ecclestone, Eddington, Teddington, Hetherington, Ellington, wellington, Wellington, Remington, Lexington, Kensington, Eddystone, ferryman, Edison, medicine, jettison, benison, venison, Tennyson, Ericsson, netizen, denizen, Methuen, * dodecagon, progestogen, Gulbenkian, Ossetian, rebellion, Cromwellian, Boswellian, Orwellian, Portmeirion, pedestrian, equestrian, Dickensian, American, pantechnicon, * Christadelphian, Philadelphian, un-American, endoskeleton, exoskeleton, * Machiavellian
Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican!
His bill will hold more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
But I’m damned if I see how the helican.
DIXON LANIER MERRITT
10.65 Westmorland, reverend, Reverend, jettisoned
10.66 Netherlands, Reverend’s
10.67 decadent, redolent, prevalent, excellent, deferent, efferent, referent, reverent, eloquent, betterment, testament, temperament, tenement, measurement, settlement, devilment, resonant, sentient, prescient, exeunt, mendicant, desiccant, elegant, evident, precedent, president, resident, penitent, hesitant, elephant, relevant, pestilent, celebrant, emigrant, pediment, sediment, sentiment, element, merriment, decrement, excrement, Egremont, detriment, regiment, revenant, eminent, reticent, negligent, exigent, effluent, petulant, tegument, * malevolent, benevolent, expectorant, irreverent, accelerant, Old Testament, New Testament, development, resettlement, dishevelment, embezzlement, consentient, presentient, dissentient, insentient, inelegant, self-evident, nonresident, impenitent, irrelevant, impediment, presentiment, experiment, embellishment, replenishment, pre-eminent, maleficent, beneficent, intelligent, integument, * redevelopment, unintelligent
10.68 decadence, redolence, prevalence, excellence, temperance, deference, preference, reference, reverence, Reverence, severance, eloquence, measurements, resonance, sentience, prescience, mendicants, elegance, evidence, precedence, residence, residents, penitence, hesitance, elephants, relevance, pestilence, emigrants, sentiments, elements, eminence, reticence, negligence, effluence, petulance, * malevolence, benevolence, intemperance, irreverence, developments, insentience, inelegance, inheritance, impenitence, irrelevance, impediments, experiments, pre-eminence, maleficence, beneficence, intelligence, * disinheritance, * counterintelligence, etc.
10.69 peppering, rendering, tendering, Kettering, lettering, sheltering, sweltering, mentoring, feathering, weathering, censoring, measuring, welcoming, reckoning, threatening, deafening, lessening, questioning, trespassing, editing, everything, anything, * unquestioning, etc.
10.70 exodus, Exodus, embolus, memberless, measureless, effortless, weaponless, Hesperus, decorous, generous, lecherous, treacherous, venturous, venomous, slenderness, tenderness, tetanus, cleverness, membranous, pleasantness, gentleness, helpfulness, helplessness, fecklessness, recklessness, restlessness, selflessness, breathlessness, Pegasus, Ephesus, plenteous, envious, Celsius, crepitus, perilous, penniless, Wenceslas, Septimus, readiness, steadiness, cretinous, pettiness, sweatiness, emptiness, heaviness, friendliness, cleanliness, dressiness, resinous, edginess, wretchedness, selfishness, strenuous, tenuous, sensuous, nebulous, Regulus, credulous, sedulous, pendulous, querulous, emulous, tremulous, * Telemachus, acephalous, Bucephalus, expressionless, indecorous, ungenerous, adventurous, togetherness, light-headedness, indebtedness, unpleasantness, forgetfulness, pretentiousness, compendious, rebellious, emeritus, necessitous, unfriendliness, effectiveness, inventiveness, unselfishness, impetuous, contemptuous, tempestuous, incestuous, ingenuous, incredulous, * antitetanus, hydrocephalus, overgenerous, unadventurous, disingenuous, etc.
10.71 Everest, peskiest, readiest, steadiest, trendiest, pettiest, sweatiest, emptiest, heaviest, healthiest, wealthiest, smelliest, deadliest, friendliest, merriest, dressiest, messiest, sexiest, sketchiest, * unhealthiest, etc.
10.72 therapist, Methodist, medallist, specialist, terrorist, hedonist, essayist, pessimist, feminist, Leninist, fetishist, exorcist, prejudiced, * nonspecialist, detectorist, adventurist, telephonist, impressionist, expressionist, receptionist, protectionist, perfectionist, projectionist, postfeminist, geneticist, unprejudiced, * hypnotherapist, psychotherapist, instrumentalist, existentialist, sentimentalist, antiterrorist, eco-terrorist, postimpressionist, resurrectionist, vivisectionist, interventionist, * radiotherapist, physiotherapist, * aromatherapist, environmentalist, * antivivisectionist
10.73 desolate, separate, temperate, desperate, Everett, leveret, delegate, sextuplet, * intemperate, confederate, inveterate, protectorate, inspectorate, electorate, directorate, coelenterate, degenerate, regenerate, commensurate, affectionate, Connecticut, indelicate, effeminate, * unregenerate, overestimate, underestimate
10.74 Cheviot, Eliot, Herriot, definite, * licentiate, indefinite
10.75 twentieth, pennyworth, Kenilworth
10.76 trespasses, terraces, lettuces, crevices, premises, blemishes, vestiges, * apprentices, etc.
10.77 melodies, penalties, seventies, memories, pleasantries, enemies, recipes, remedies, * contemporaries, accessories, arch-enemies, discrepancies, elevenses, celebrities, extremities, obscenities, complexities, etc.
For myself, I’m relied on by friends in extremities,
And I don’t mind so much if a comfort to them it is.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
10.78 melancholy, sexually, sensually, regularly, temporarily, memorably, pleasurably, questionably, enviably, veritably, negligibly, delicately, definitely, infinitely, eloquently, elegantly, evidently, hesitantly, eminently, petulantly, tentatively, relatively, sensitively, gentlemanly, genuinely, welcomingly, threateningly, deafeningly, questioningly, menacingly, effortlessly, decorously, generously, treacherously, enviously, strenuously, temporary, emissary, necessary, February, estuary, respiratory, testimony, ceremony, celibacy, efficacy, delicacy, Excellency, presidency, residency, hesitancy, * ephemerally, professionally, exceptionally, intentionally, conventionally, congenitally, perpetually, conceptually, effectually, eventually, irregularly, irrevocably, unquestionably, immeasurably, inevitably, intelligibly, affectionately, indefinitely, irreverently, competitively, insensitively, consecutively, ungentlemanly, adventurously, rebelliously, impetuously, contemptuously, contemporary, extemporary, unnecessary, investigatory, confederacy, degeneracy, inefficacy, indelicacy, effeminacy, * architecturally, unintentionally, ineffectually, intellectually, unintelligibly, * infinitesimally, etc.
10.79 revocable, memorable, venerable, measurable, pleasurable, mentionable, questionable, expiable, enviable, creditable, heritable, veritable, equitable, execrable, penetrable, estimable, perishable, eligible, negligible, educable, reputable, refutable, * irrevocable, unmemorable, inexorable, immeasurable, commensurable, impressionable, exceptionable, objectionable, unmentionable, unquestionable, inexpiable, unenviable, hereditable, discreditable, inevitable, inheritable, inequitable, impenetrable, inestimable, imperishable, intelligible, ineligible, ineducable, disreputable, irrefutable, * unexceptionable, unintelligible