Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
WANTON / WONTON
This may seem a silly selection to address in this writing, but I have seen one or more of these words misused in print, so here we go:
The adjective wanton is often used to describe acts that are recklessly lewd and lascivious or mischievously cruel without provocation or the people who behave in such a manner. The noun wonton, on the other hand, is a Chinese dumpling, most often filled with a savory meat, such as spiced pork.
INCORRECT: The wonton way some politicians treat the public never fails to astound me.
CORRECT: The wanton way some politicians treat the public never fails to astound me.
INCORRECT: I think I’ll make wanton soup tonight.
CORRECT: I think I’ll make wonton soup tonight.
INCORRECT: That wonton woman had better stay away from my husband!
CORRECT: That wanton woman had better stay away from my husband!
INCORRECT: This wanton is filled with vegetables rather than pork.
CORRECT: This wonton is filled with vegetables rather than pork.
ALSO CORRECT: The wanton waif hovered over the wonton soup, wondering what mischief to get up to next.
Remember that the adjective wanton contains the word want, and a wanton person usually wants something, such as attention, sexual favors, or self-aggrandizement.
© 2022 Ann Henry, all rights reserved.