Abstract
D ICTIONARIES, SCHOOL GRAMMARS, AND OTHER BOOKS treating linguistic etiquette have cited the existence in English of two synonymous or nearly synonymous verbs, lend (past lent) and loan (past loaned). In commenting on these, still unequivocally condemn any use of loan or loaned. Baker says, Don't use loan for lend. Lend is the verb, loan the noun.2 The use of loan as a verb instead of lend has also been termed objectionable,''3 an impropriety,4 and unacceptable.5 Other authorities, embarrassed by two purportedly equivalent verbs, have tried to see a technical difference in their meaning or use. Myers advises that Loan is now completely established as a verb in business transactions, but not otherwise.6 A considerable number have come to admit that loan exists in general use, but feel squeamish about endorsing it. Garrell and Laird tell us that many careful writers ... use loan only as a noun, and prefer lend as a verb.7 But the most emancipated have gladly admitted loan to be the equal of lend,s and Bryant reports that, despite attempts to keep loan as a noun, it has now established itself in accepted usage as a verb.9 Attitudes of our British colleagues may have had no small part in shaping American sentiment in these matters, since some of our compatriots feel that English English is by definition the proper model for all, although others
Published Version
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