LC Plaunt, MEd
@lcplauntmed.bsky.social
I’m a former language teacher, now a copyeditor and writer. I am writing two books about words people mix up, either because they are similar in sound or spelling, or because they are terms that could be one word or two. I will share an example on Mondays.
Monday Muddle: plum, plumb
plum: (noun) a fruit; the tree that grows the fruit; (adjective) ideal; highly desirable; a reddish-purple colour
plum: (noun) a fruit; the tree that grows the fruit; (adjective) ideal; highly desirable; a reddish-purple colour
December 15, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Monday Muddle: plum, plumb
plum: (noun) a fruit; the tree that grows the fruit; (adjective) ideal; highly desirable; a reddish-purple colour
plum: (noun) a fruit; the tree that grows the fruit; (adjective) ideal; highly desirable; a reddish-purple colour
Monday Muddle: merrily, merely
merrily: (adverb) happily; cheerfully; with good feelings; in a joyous manner
Part of the song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
merely: (adverb) only; just; simply; nothing more than; nothing better than
NOT part of the song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
#MonMud
merrily: (adverb) happily; cheerfully; with good feelings; in a joyous manner
Part of the song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
merely: (adverb) only; just; simply; nothing more than; nothing better than
NOT part of the song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
#MonMud
December 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Monday Muddle: merrily, merely
merrily: (adverb) happily; cheerfully; with good feelings; in a joyous manner
Part of the song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
merely: (adverb) only; just; simply; nothing more than; nothing better than
NOT part of the song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
#MonMud
merrily: (adverb) happily; cheerfully; with good feelings; in a joyous manner
Part of the song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
merely: (adverb) only; just; simply; nothing more than; nothing better than
NOT part of the song "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
#MonMud
Monday Muddle
meddle: (verb) to interfere; to pry into someone else's affairs; to involve oneself in someone else's business without invitation or right given by some authority
mettle: (noun) ability to cope with difficult circumstances; courage; strength; boldness; resilience; spunk
#MonMud
meddle: (verb) to interfere; to pry into someone else's affairs; to involve oneself in someone else's business without invitation or right given by some authority
mettle: (noun) ability to cope with difficult circumstances; courage; strength; boldness; resilience; spunk
#MonMud
November 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Monday Muddle
meddle: (verb) to interfere; to pry into someone else's affairs; to involve oneself in someone else's business without invitation or right given by some authority
mettle: (noun) ability to cope with difficult circumstances; courage; strength; boldness; resilience; spunk
#MonMud
meddle: (verb) to interfere; to pry into someone else's affairs; to involve oneself in someone else's business without invitation or right given by some authority
mettle: (noun) ability to cope with difficult circumstances; courage; strength; boldness; resilience; spunk
#MonMud
Monday Muddle: metal, medal
metal: (noun) a solid chemical element, such as gold, silver, or iron, or a combination of such elements, that conducts heat and electricity; (adjective) made of metal
metal: (noun) a solid chemical element, such as gold, silver, or iron, or a combination of such elements, that conducts heat and electricity; (adjective) made of metal
November 17, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Monday Muddle: metal, medal
metal: (noun) a solid chemical element, such as gold, silver, or iron, or a combination of such elements, that conducts heat and electricity; (adjective) made of metal
metal: (noun) a solid chemical element, such as gold, silver, or iron, or a combination of such elements, that conducts heat and electricity; (adjective) made of metal
Monday Muddle: lapse, laps
lapse: (noun) a period of time; break in a sequence; end; error (verb) to end; to deviate from the expected way; to decline in quality
lapse: (noun) a period of time; break in a sequence; end; error (verb) to end; to deviate from the expected way; to decline in quality
November 10, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Monday Muddle: lapse, laps
lapse: (noun) a period of time; break in a sequence; end; error (verb) to end; to deviate from the expected way; to decline in quality
lapse: (noun) a period of time; break in a sequence; end; error (verb) to end; to deviate from the expected way; to decline in quality
Monday Muddle: rein, reign, rain
rein: (noun) a long, narrow strap typically used in the plural to guide a horse, and metaphorically used to guide people or situations; (verb) to guide; to keep under control (used with adverbs like "in" and "back")
Part of the expression "to have free rein."
rein: (noun) a long, narrow strap typically used in the plural to guide a horse, and metaphorically used to guide people or situations; (verb) to guide; to keep under control (used with adverbs like "in" and "back")
Part of the expression "to have free rein."
November 3, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Monday Muddle: rein, reign, rain
rein: (noun) a long, narrow strap typically used in the plural to guide a horse, and metaphorically used to guide people or situations; (verb) to guide; to keep under control (used with adverbs like "in" and "back")
Part of the expression "to have free rein."
rein: (noun) a long, narrow strap typically used in the plural to guide a horse, and metaphorically used to guide people or situations; (verb) to guide; to keep under control (used with adverbs like "in" and "back")
Part of the expression "to have free rein."
Monday Muddle: cheque, check, check
cheque: (British English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person
check: (American English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person
cheque: (British English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person
check: (American English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person
October 28, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Monday Muddle: cheque, check, check
cheque: (British English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person
check: (American English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person
cheque: (British English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person
check: (American English)(noun) a written order to a bank to pay a specified sum of money to a specified person
Monday Muddle: celery, salary
celery: (noun) a plant with long, dense, curved stalks and small leaves; part of the parsley family; a low-calorie food that can be eaten raw or cooked
celery: (noun) a plant with long, dense, curved stalks and small leaves; part of the parsley family; a low-calorie food that can be eaten raw or cooked
October 20, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Monday Muddle: celery, salary
celery: (noun) a plant with long, dense, curved stalks and small leaves; part of the parsley family; a low-calorie food that can be eaten raw or cooked
celery: (noun) a plant with long, dense, curved stalks and small leaves; part of the parsley family; a low-calorie food that can be eaten raw or cooked
Monday Muddle: ladder, latter
ladder: (noun) an often portable device that assists people to physically climb up and down; made of two straight or slightly angled sides with steps or rungs between them
latter: (adjective, noun) the second of two choices
#MonMud
ladder: (noun) an often portable device that assists people to physically climb up and down; made of two straight or slightly angled sides with steps or rungs between them
latter: (adjective, noun) the second of two choices
#MonMud
October 13, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Monday Muddle: ladder, latter
ladder: (noun) an often portable device that assists people to physically climb up and down; made of two straight or slightly angled sides with steps or rungs between them
latter: (adjective, noun) the second of two choices
#MonMud
ladder: (noun) an often portable device that assists people to physically climb up and down; made of two straight or slightly angled sides with steps or rungs between them
latter: (adjective, noun) the second of two choices
#MonMud
Monday Muddle: toe, tow
toe: (noun) body part; digit of the human foot; part of footwear that covers front of foot; (verb) push, touch or kick something with front of foot
Part of the expression "to toe the line."
toe: (noun) body part; digit of the human foot; part of footwear that covers front of foot; (verb) push, touch or kick something with front of foot
Part of the expression "to toe the line."
October 6, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Monday Muddle: toe, tow
toe: (noun) body part; digit of the human foot; part of footwear that covers front of foot; (verb) push, touch or kick something with front of foot
Part of the expression "to toe the line."
toe: (noun) body part; digit of the human foot; part of footwear that covers front of foot; (verb) push, touch or kick something with front of foot
Part of the expression "to toe the line."
Monday Muddle: feat, feet
feat: (noun) accomplishment, bold act, heroic deed
feet: (noun) (plural of foot) the lower extremities of legs—human, animal, clothing, or furniture; a unit of measurement
#MonMud
feat: (noun) accomplishment, bold act, heroic deed
feet: (noun) (plural of foot) the lower extremities of legs—human, animal, clothing, or furniture; a unit of measurement
#MonMud
September 29, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Monday Muddle: feat, feet
feat: (noun) accomplishment, bold act, heroic deed
feet: (noun) (plural of foot) the lower extremities of legs—human, animal, clothing, or furniture; a unit of measurement
#MonMud
feat: (noun) accomplishment, bold act, heroic deed
feet: (noun) (plural of foot) the lower extremities of legs—human, animal, clothing, or furniture; a unit of measurement
#MonMud
Monday Muddle: bought, brought
bought: (past tense, past participle of the verb to buy) purchased; obtained in exchange for money or some other form of payment; accepted as truth
bought: (past tense, past participle of the verb to buy) purchased; obtained in exchange for money or some other form of payment; accepted as truth
September 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Monday Muddle: bought, brought
bought: (past tense, past participle of the verb to buy) purchased; obtained in exchange for money or some other form of payment; accepted as truth
bought: (past tense, past participle of the verb to buy) purchased; obtained in exchange for money or some other form of payment; accepted as truth
Monday Muddle: moot, mute
moot: (adjective) debatable but with no definite answer; unsolvable so not worth debating
Used in the expression, "it's a moot point."
mute: (adjective) speechless; unable to speak
NOT used in the expression, "it's a moot point."
#MonMud
moot: (adjective) debatable but with no definite answer; unsolvable so not worth debating
Used in the expression, "it's a moot point."
mute: (adjective) speechless; unable to speak
NOT used in the expression, "it's a moot point."
#MonMud
September 15, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Monday Muddle: moot, mute
moot: (adjective) debatable but with no definite answer; unsolvable so not worth debating
Used in the expression, "it's a moot point."
mute: (adjective) speechless; unable to speak
NOT used in the expression, "it's a moot point."
#MonMud
moot: (adjective) debatable but with no definite answer; unsolvable so not worth debating
Used in the expression, "it's a moot point."
mute: (adjective) speechless; unable to speak
NOT used in the expression, "it's a moot point."
#MonMud
Monday Muddle: rap, wrap
rap: (noun) a sharp knock or hit; type of music; informal talk, chat; blame, responsibility, consequences, punishment
Used in the expression "to get a bad rap."
rap: (noun) a sharp knock or hit; type of music; informal talk, chat; blame, responsibility, consequences, punishment
Used in the expression "to get a bad rap."
September 8, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Monday Muddle: rap, wrap
rap: (noun) a sharp knock or hit; type of music; informal talk, chat; blame, responsibility, consequences, punishment
Used in the expression "to get a bad rap."
rap: (noun) a sharp knock or hit; type of music; informal talk, chat; blame, responsibility, consequences, punishment
Used in the expression "to get a bad rap."
Monday Muddle: tenet, tenant
tenet: (noun) a belief, principle, or opinion held to be true by members of a group, profession, or religion
Used in the expression "tenets of the faith."
tenet: (noun) a belief, principle, or opinion held to be true by members of a group, profession, or religion
Used in the expression "tenets of the faith."
September 1, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Monday Muddle: tenet, tenant
tenet: (noun) a belief, principle, or opinion held to be true by members of a group, profession, or religion
Used in the expression "tenets of the faith."
tenet: (noun) a belief, principle, or opinion held to be true by members of a group, profession, or religion
Used in the expression "tenets of the faith."
Monday Muddle
meringue: (noun) a mixture of egg whites and sugar beaten together and baked as a topping for dessert or as a confection
merengue: (noun) music that originated in the Dominican Republic and is popular in Latin American communities; a dance; the Spanish spelling of meringue
meringue: (noun) a mixture of egg whites and sugar beaten together and baked as a topping for dessert or as a confection
merengue: (noun) music that originated in the Dominican Republic and is popular in Latin American communities; a dance; the Spanish spelling of meringue
August 25, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Monday Muddle
meringue: (noun) a mixture of egg whites and sugar beaten together and baked as a topping for dessert or as a confection
merengue: (noun) music that originated in the Dominican Republic and is popular in Latin American communities; a dance; the Spanish spelling of meringue
meringue: (noun) a mixture of egg whites and sugar beaten together and baked as a topping for dessert or as a confection
merengue: (noun) music that originated in the Dominican Republic and is popular in Latin American communities; a dance; the Spanish spelling of meringue
Monday Muddle: forward, foreword
forward: (adjective, adverb) in the direction one is facing; toward the future; bold; presumptuous; (noun) an advancing player in sport; (verb) to send something (like email) to an additional location
forward: (adjective, adverb) in the direction one is facing; toward the future; bold; presumptuous; (noun) an advancing player in sport; (verb) to send something (like email) to an additional location
August 18, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Monday Muddle: forward, foreword
forward: (adjective, adverb) in the direction one is facing; toward the future; bold; presumptuous; (noun) an advancing player in sport; (verb) to send something (like email) to an additional location
forward: (adjective, adverb) in the direction one is facing; toward the future; bold; presumptuous; (noun) an advancing player in sport; (verb) to send something (like email) to an additional location
Monday Muddle: discreet, discrete
discreet: (adjective) secretive; careful; modest; self-restrained in speech and behaviour
discrete: (adjective) separate; distinct; individual; detached;
not continuous
#MonMud
discreet: (adjective) secretive; careful; modest; self-restrained in speech and behaviour
discrete: (adjective) separate; distinct; individual; detached;
not continuous
#MonMud
August 11, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Monday Muddle: discreet, discrete
discreet: (adjective) secretive; careful; modest; self-restrained in speech and behaviour
discrete: (adjective) separate; distinct; individual; detached;
not continuous
#MonMud
discreet: (adjective) secretive; careful; modest; self-restrained in speech and behaviour
discrete: (adjective) separate; distinct; individual; detached;
not continuous
#MonMud
Monday Muddle: letdown, let down
letdown: (noun) disappointment; frustration; disillusionment;
anticlimax; setback
let down: (verb phrase) disappoint; lower; begin landing an aircraft; lengthen; give bad news
#MonMud
letdown: (noun) disappointment; frustration; disillusionment;
anticlimax; setback
let down: (verb phrase) disappoint; lower; begin landing an aircraft; lengthen; give bad news
#MonMud
LC’s Links – LC Plaunt, M.Ed.
plaunt.com
August 4, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Monday Muddle: letdown, let down
letdown: (noun) disappointment; frustration; disillusionment;
anticlimax; setback
let down: (verb phrase) disappoint; lower; begin landing an aircraft; lengthen; give bad news
#MonMud
letdown: (noun) disappointment; frustration; disillusionment;
anticlimax; setback
let down: (verb phrase) disappoint; lower; begin landing an aircraft; lengthen; give bad news
#MonMud
Monday Muddle: viola, voilà
viola: (noun) a stringed musical instrument that is slightly larger than a violin but significantly smaller than a cello
viola: (noun) a stringed musical instrument that is slightly larger than a violin but significantly smaller than a cello
July 28, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Monday Muddle: viola, voilà
viola: (noun) a stringed musical instrument that is slightly larger than a violin but significantly smaller than a cello
viola: (noun) a stringed musical instrument that is slightly larger than a violin but significantly smaller than a cello
Monday Muddle: barely, barley
barely: (adverb) hardly; scarcely; by a very little; sparsely; almost imperceptibly
barley: (noun) a grain used for food and in the making of beer; the plant from which the grain is harvested
#MonMud
barely: (adverb) hardly; scarcely; by a very little; sparsely; almost imperceptibly
barley: (noun) a grain used for food and in the making of beer; the plant from which the grain is harvested
#MonMud
LC’s Links – LC Plaunt, M.Ed.
plaunt.com
July 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Monday Muddle: barely, barley
barely: (adverb) hardly; scarcely; by a very little; sparsely; almost imperceptibly
barley: (noun) a grain used for food and in the making of beer; the plant from which the grain is harvested
#MonMud
barely: (adverb) hardly; scarcely; by a very little; sparsely; almost imperceptibly
barley: (noun) a grain used for food and in the making of beer; the plant from which the grain is harvested
#MonMud
Monday Muddle: about, a bout
about: (adverb) approximately, almost, in the opposite direction; in no particular direction; all around; (preposition) on the subject of; in the vicinity of; (adjective) nearby
about: (adverb) approximately, almost, in the opposite direction; in no particular direction; all around; (preposition) on the subject of; in the vicinity of; (adjective) nearby
July 14, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Monday Muddle: about, a bout
about: (adverb) approximately, almost, in the opposite direction; in no particular direction; all around; (preposition) on the subject of; in the vicinity of; (adjective) nearby
about: (adverb) approximately, almost, in the opposite direction; in no particular direction; all around; (preposition) on the subject of; in the vicinity of; (adjective) nearby
Monday Muddle: fell, foul
fell: (adjective) evil, cruel, sinister, deadly
Part of the expression "one fell swoop."
foul: (adjective) unpleasant or offensive, especially relating to smell or taste; immoral; polluted; stormy, when relating to weather
Not part of the expression "one fell swoop."
fell: (adjective) evil, cruel, sinister, deadly
Part of the expression "one fell swoop."
foul: (adjective) unpleasant or offensive, especially relating to smell or taste; immoral; polluted; stormy, when relating to weather
Not part of the expression "one fell swoop."
July 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Monday Muddle: fell, foul
fell: (adjective) evil, cruel, sinister, deadly
Part of the expression "one fell swoop."
foul: (adjective) unpleasant or offensive, especially relating to smell or taste; immoral; polluted; stormy, when relating to weather
Not part of the expression "one fell swoop."
fell: (adjective) evil, cruel, sinister, deadly
Part of the expression "one fell swoop."
foul: (adjective) unpleasant or offensive, especially relating to smell or taste; immoral; polluted; stormy, when relating to weather
Not part of the expression "one fell swoop."
Monday Muddle: abdicated, abducted
abdicated: (past participle of verb to abdicate) gave up or renounced one's duties, position, or power
abducted: (past participle of verb to abduct) kidnapped; taken away by force
#MonMud
abdicated: (past participle of verb to abdicate) gave up or renounced one's duties, position, or power
abducted: (past participle of verb to abduct) kidnapped; taken away by force
#MonMud
June 30, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Monday Muddle: abdicated, abducted
abdicated: (past participle of verb to abdicate) gave up or renounced one's duties, position, or power
abducted: (past participle of verb to abduct) kidnapped; taken away by force
#MonMud
abdicated: (past participle of verb to abdicate) gave up or renounced one's duties, position, or power
abducted: (past participle of verb to abduct) kidnapped; taken away by force
#MonMud