In article >,
"Paul M. Cook" > wrote:


> oh learned one? I wait with baited breath another of your astute
> observations.

Sorry. I don't like spelling flames, but this is a pet peeve, and I've
seen it one too many times on this group. From my dictionary:

bated |?b?tid|
adjective (in phrase with bated breath)
in great suspense; very anxiously or excitedly : he waited for a reply
to his offer with bated breath.
ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from the past participle of obsolete bate
[restrain,] from abate .
USAGE The spelling baited breath instead of bated breath is a common
mistake that, in addition to perpetuating a cliché, evokes a distasteful
image. Before using the expression bated breath, think of the verb |
abate, as in | the winds abated, not fish bait.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA