From the Zeller Cellar we learned about two Famous Phrases that have the same meaning. “That’s the way the ball bounces” and “that’s the way the cookie crumbles.”
At times when things don’t turn out the way we want or hoped for we need to practice patience. Or is it patients? Hmmmm. Here are two words that sound alike (homophones), but have different meanings and are also spelled differently. Both are nouns.
Patience: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
Patients: persons receiving medical treatment.
To add to the confusion, patient can be an adjective, meaning able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
(From the New Oxford American Dictionary online)
Fun things to do
In the following story about Willie and Millie fill in the blanks using the words patience, patients, and patient. You will see both alliterations and homophones.
Willie and Millie are walking to their nice neighborhood park.
“I can’t wait to go to summer kids’ camp,” Millie remarked.
“That’s not happening for two more weeks, so you have to be _____________.”
“I know. I have to get some medicine for my allergies, so I’m going to the doctor’s tomorrow. The last time my mom took me there were maybe a million _____________ in the waiting room. It took forever and my mom lost her _____________.”
“When I get anxious my dad says I have ants in my pants and he preaches practice _______________. I think most doctors’ offices are fully filled with people who aren’t ____________ ______________.”
For other adventure stories featuring Willie and Millie, go to Sniff around for more hints under the Zeller Speller Smellers and check out numbers 6, 7, 10 and 12.
To explore other homophones go to Sniff around for more hints under the Zeller Speller Smellers and check out numbers 2, 6 and 9.
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