Methods, Aesthetics, Purpose
If you have studied other languages, or studied in detail the grammar of your own, then you’ll have discovered the irregularities associated with the commonest words. The most basic word of all, “is”, conjugates and declines in ways counter to the general patterns of lesser verbs. I’m no linguist, but I’ve long believed that happened because of the high frequency of usage. Practices shared constantly among so many can (often must) adapt quickly to the idiosyncrasies of each participant under innumerable changing circumstances. Words and practices subjected to that much stress will differ from those that are not, like hoodoos standing above mere sand. This pattern where regularity of use causes irregular form also shows up in the calendar—yes, that collection of days and months. My noticing of this came on a random Friday the 13 th years ago, when curiosity prompted me to question some basics about the calendar that normally go unnoticed. For example, if it’s bad for