This post isn't about how to cross the fissure and continue your imaginary journey (because I have absolutely no idea how). This post is about what that fissure is called. Is it a crevice or a crevasse (kruh-vas)? I would have said crevice unitl I watched the documentary "Touching the Void" which introduced me to a new word, crevasse, when talking about deep clefts in glacial ice. Eager to use my new word (crevasse) in a sentence I found the opportunity a few days later... only to be picked on. My friends told me to be a normal American and just say crevice. I was beside myself; I thought maybe crevasse was only someone's accent on the movie really meaning to say crevice.
I recently remembered that and did a bit of research out of curiosity. According to Dictionary.com a crevasse is specifically for a deep or large cleft in glacial ice or the earth's surface, it is commonly confused with crevice. A crevice is a crack forming an opening (like between your finger and nail) and is generally smaller.
My challenge: go forth and try to use crevasse in a sentence.
Picture from Wikipedia Commons
Crevasse is definitely a word! Haha. I'm not sure if it was the same documentary, but years ago I remember watching one about glaciers and mountain climbing etc, and the narrator actually distinguished the difference between a crevice and crevasse...he wasn't just going all "english."
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad, I feel better about myself now :)
ReplyDeleteDear Bethany, never settle for being a "normal American"... you would be way less fun if you did! ;o) LOVE YOU!
ReplyDeleteSince I read this post I've encountered this word at least 3 times. In "Into Thin Air" and in Man vs. wild. It made me laugh every time
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