Difference between revisions of "Feu - few - phew"
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*'''Phew'''! is an [[interjection]] expressing relief, or, in older times, wearinewss, disgust or impatience, etc. | *'''Phew'''! is an [[interjection]] expressing relief, or, in older times, wearinewss, disgust or impatience, etc. | ||
::'''''[[etymology|Etymological]] note''''': ''[[OED]]'' (2005) says "Imitative, representing the action of puffing or blowing away with the lips." | ::'''''[[etymology|Etymological]] note''''': ''[[OED]]'' (2005) says "Imitative, representing the action of puffing or blowing away with the lips." | ||
| − | *There is also a third [[homophone]], a legal term, more used in Scots than English law, but also by historians of all western European | + | *There is also a third [[homophone]], a legal term, more used in Scots than English law, but also by historians of all western European countries: '''feu'''. This is a form of, and [[cognate]] with, '''fee'''. It is a form of land-holding which gives rise to the word '''feudal'''. The feudal system was based on the obligations a tenant owed to the lord from whom he held the land '''in fee'''. Nowadays, '''feu duty''' is usually paid in money. |
[[Category:homophones]] | [[Category:homophones]] | ||
[[Category:disambig]] | [[Category:disambig]] | ||
[[Category:etymology]] | [[Category:etymology]] | ||
Revision as of 10:32, 9 May 2023
The homophones few and phew are not likely to be confused. They are pronounced the same way: IPA: /fju/.
- Few is an adjective or preposition meaning 'not many'. (For more detail, see A few - few).
- Phew! is an interjection expressing relief, or, in older times, wearinewss, disgust or impatience, etc.
- Etymological note: OED (2005) says "Imitative, representing the action of puffing or blowing away with the lips."
- There is also a third homophone, a legal term, more used in Scots than English law, but also by historians of all western European countries: feu. This is a form of, and cognate with, fee. It is a form of land-holding which gives rise to the word feudal. The feudal system was based on the obligations a tenant owed to the lord from whom he held the land in fee. Nowadays, feu duty is usually paid in money.
