This is Very Hard to Explain
Some words have different meanings, And yet they’re spelt the same. A cricket is an insect, To play it – it’s a game. It’s thoroughly agreed, On every hand, in every land, The English language to explain is very hard indeed.
Some people say that you’re a dear, Yet dear is far from cheap, A jumper is a thing you wear, Yet a jumper has to leap. It’s very clear, it’s very queer, And pray who is to blame For different meanings to some words Pronounced and spelt the same?
A little journey is a trip, A trip when you fall. It doesn’t mean you have to dance, Whenever you hold a ball. Now here’s a thing that puzzles me: Musicians of good taste Will very often form a band, I’ve one around my waist!
You spin a top, go for a spin, Or spin a yarn maybe – Yet every spin’s a different spin, As you can plainly see. Now here’s a most peculiar thing, ‘twas told to me as a joke – A dumb man wouldn’t speak a word, Yet seized a wheel and spoke.
A door may often be ajar, But give the door a slam, And then your nerves receive a jar- And there are pots of jam. You’ve heard of course of traffic jams, And jams you give your thumbs. And adders too – one is a snake, The other adds up sums.
A policeman is a copper, It’s a nickname (impolite) Is an article you light. Yet a copper in the kitchen On every hand, in every land, It’s thoroughly agreed – The English language to explain is very hard indeed.
