Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
JIBE / JIVE
These two words not only look similar but, even more relevant, sound similar as well. It can be difficult to distinguish the B from the V sound when hearing one of these words spoken, which probably accounts for the confusion (never mind that the B and V are placed right next to each other on the keyboard, which may mean that the “misuses” appearing in print are really just typos).
While jibe can mean shift suddenly from one side to the other (jibe the boat), it can also mean agree, and this is the verb upon which hangs the confusion. The verb jive, on the other hand, means kid, or tease.
INCORRECT: Your two versions of this incident don’t jive, children. Your stories are contradictory.
CORRECT: Your two versions of this incident don’t jibe, children. Your stories are contradictory.
INCORRECT: Are you serious? Don’t jibe me.
CORRECT: Are you serious? Don’t jive me.
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