A few years back, a newspaper story reported that Janet Jackson "was loathe to admit" her loss of a role in an upcoming movie. Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" is now a distant mammary, but this misuse of "loathe" cannot be covered up.

"Loathe" is a verb meaning to abhor or detest. ("Mildred began to loathe Super Bowl halftime shows.")

"Loath" is an adjective meaning reluctant, disinclined. ("She was loath to watch another halftime show.")

Other "th" word pairs cause similar confusion: breathe (verb), breath (noun); sheathe (verb), sheath (noun); bathe (verb), bath (noun); clothe (verb), cloth (noun).

Even more perplexing is the noun "swath" (a row of cut grain or grass, or a long, broad strip or belt); the verb "swathe" (to bind, wrap or swaddle with a bandage or other wrapping); and the noun "swathe" (a band used to swathe something).

And "lath" but not least are the noun "lath" (a thin, narrow strip of wood nailed to rafters, joists or studding); the verb "lath" (to nail such strips); the noun "lathe" (a machine that spins wood for shaping): and the verb "lathe" (to cut or shape with a lathe).

Now see whether you can choose the correct word in each sentence. O, say, can you seethe?:

1. I am (loath, loathe) to bring up the Super Bowl incident. 2. It's dangerous to (swath, swathe) bandages too tightly. 3. Joan shaped a baseball bat on a (lath, lathe). 4. The air is so dusty I can hardly (breath, breathe).

5. Please (sheath, sheathe) your sword, Bozo. 6. The mild spring air will (bath, bathe) your forehead. 7. His argument was cut from whole (cloth, clothe). 8. Maria wrapped a sweaty (swath, swathe) around her swollen ankle.

9. Arthur was nailing a (lath, lathe) to the frame of the house. 10. I (loath, loathe) quizzes like this. 11. Let me stop to catch my (breath, breathe). 12. Bozo placed his sword in its (sheath, sheathe). 13. Norman took a (bath, bathe) on the real estate deal.

14. Bob had barely enough money to (cloth, clothe) and feed himself. 15. The scythe cut a wide (swath, swathe) through the wheat. 16. Georgia decided to (lath, lathe) the post into a decorative finial. 17. Arthur was the last one to (lath, lathe) the rafters.

Answers:

1. loath 2. swathe 3. lathe 4. breathe 5. sheathe 6. bathe 7. cloth 8. swathe 9. lath 10. loathe 11. breath 12. sheath 13. bath 14. clothe 15. swath 16. lathe 17. lath

Remember, he who laths last laughs last.

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. His book, "Mark My Words," is available for $9.99 on Amazon.com. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to Wordguy@aol.com or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

Photo credit: Joshua Hoehne at Unsplash