Thing To Do Today: be matched.

Manchester City v Arsenal will be a good match; so will Prince Charming and Cinderella; so will my green jumper and cardigan.

Are things that are matched the same or different? Are they in harmony or opposition? Do they make love or war?


*

What, in short, is the connection between all these meanings?

Can you guess?

The answer is in the derivation.

Thing To Do Today: be matched. This word comes from the Old English gemæcca, spouse, and is related to the Old High German gimmaha, wife and the Old Norse maki, mate.

The married ones among us are probably smiling, if slightly wryly.

*Those are Queen Victoria's wedding shoes.