FAWM: "How the gerundive was exiled [FT]"

How the gerundive was exiled [FT]

Liner Notes

One for the grammarnerds. I should be ashamed of myself but...too late. Improvised melody and accompaniment, but I was very careful with the grammarly construction of this joke.

And demonstrating how Nigel Molesworth deformed my character: https://jollycontrarian.com/index.php?title=Gerund

Alternative title: "this should stop you pestering my gerunds, @stephenwordsmith"

#nerd #grammar #guy-with-piano #acousticonetake #improvisation #feast

Lyrics

HOW THE GERUNDIVE WAS EXILED
Words & Music Copyright © 2025 TJ Fatchen All Rights Reserved APRA-AMCOS

The gerundive: it's said to be a passive participle;
Between a verb and adjective, it takes the middle ground.
In Latin you will find it ranging, very concupiscible,
But when it comes to English, well, it pleads to be found.

For when the Latin gerundive addressed the Anglo-Saxons,
They misconstrued its evidence in all their talking.
So when it came to Middle English grammarly contractions,
It was the Noble Gerund that they set to walking.

Gerundives were fresh abused, accused of merit lacking.
The Anglo-Saxons scorned it --they were not for turning.
The gerundive into the darkness they sent packing,
Infinitely exiled by the English spurning.

So that is why, my English friends, the gerund stands by you,
While languish lonely gerundives, their fate bewailing;
And if by chance a gerundive might come into your view,
Order it to cease to be, or stand accused of failing.

Comments

@karan 23h

A feast for every language nerd! 😊

@katestantonsings 2w

I'm imagining an entire School House Rock animation in my head to this clever tune! Seriously, this could be an animation or theater number. So creative!