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The Librarian

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  1. I thought it might be interesting to see how these words were understood and differentiated by reference works over the past hundred years or so. Unfortunately, the coverage of the three terms in synonym dictionaries is somewhat spotty (though still interesting) across the years. Here is what some authorities have said. From James Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1896):

    In the highest sense, as in a court of justice, "an oath is reverent appeal to God in corroboration of what one says," ABBOTT LAW DICT[IONARY]. ...An oath is made to man in the name of God; a vow, to God without the intervention, often without the knowledge, of man. In the lower sense, an oath may be mere blasphemy or profane swearing.

    This book doesn't include pledge in the same group of words with oath and vow, but instead lists it with (among other terms) compactcovenantobligationpactpromise, and stipulation, under the general heading contract, remarking

    All of these words involve at least two parties, tho an engagement or promise may be the act of but one.

    Webster's Dictionary of Synonyms (1942) doesn't cover oath or vow, but offers these comments in distinguishing the verb pledge from the verb promise:

    Quote

    Promise, engage, pledge, plight, covenant, contract come into comparison as meaning to give one's word that one will do make, give, accept, or the like, something stipulated. Promise,both as a transitive and as an intransitive verb, implies a giving assurance (usually orally or in writing) but it suggests no further grounds for expectation of the fulfillment of what is promised; [examples omitted]. ... Pledge, chiefly a transitive verb may imply either the giving voluntarily of a promise by some actor words that suggest the giving of a solemn assurance, or the provision of a formal guarantee (as to pledge one's honor that one will see that a dying friends wish is respected; [other examples omitted]), or the putting of another or of others under a solemn promise to do, to forbear, or the like [examples omitted].

    The noun forms of pledge associated with the verb forms described here would involve the promise or guarantee or security that the specified action will be performed.

    S.I. Hayakawa, Choose the Right Word: A Modern Guide to Synonyms (1968) again passes over oath and vow, but addresses pledge as a noun in some detail:

    Quote

    pledge, bail, bond, collateral, guarantee, security. These words refer to a promise that is backed up in someway and reinforced by the commitment of one's honor or material possessions. Pledge is the most general of these, applying in any case where someone solemnly promises to remain loyal to a principle or to undertake a given task: the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag; a pledge of $10,000 to the Alumni Fund; a pledge to have the alterations completed by Friday. Only the person's honor backs up his promise in this case.

    And finally, Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Synonyms (1984) examines pledge as a noun in the company of four related nouns:

    Quote

    Pledge, earnest, token, pawn, hostage are comparable when they denote something that is given or held as a sign of another's faith or intention to do what has been promised. Pledge, originally and still in some applications a technical legal term, applies in general to something handed over to another as a token [example omitted], or as security for the performance of an obligation or payment of a debt [examples omitted].

    These discussions suggest that though oathvow, and pledge are all promises, they have different focuses. An oath is a swearing in the presence of God with regard to a commitment one is making to one or more other people (as to tell the truth as a witness in court, or to uphold the dignity of one's office). A vow is a promise to God (or to something philosophically analogous) to accept and discharge faithfully some specified spiritual or material obligation. A pledge is a promise on one's honor or sense of duty to take some action in fulfillment of a contract with other human beings.

    https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/11565/oath-vs-pledge-vs-vow

  2. Henry Brown, deputy mayor, of Honiton said: “I am completely horrified and astounded by what has happened, especially as police are investigating whether it was a hate crime. People I have spoken to about it are shocked and taken aback. People normally feel very safe in our community if they are walking around in the day or night.

    Cllr Henry Brown of Honiton.JPG

    Cllr Henry Brown

    Read more at http://www.devonlive.com/murder-probe-town-shocked-by-stabbing-of-jehovah-s-witness/story-30379223-detail/story.html#fIeBjXJPHshrvmYZ.99

  3. The Jehovah's Witnesses have confirmed he was an elder in their community.

    A spokesman for the group said: “We are deeply saddened at the tragic loss of Philip Ryan, who was for many years an active member of his local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

    “At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family and close friends. It is our hope that they will find comfort in their faith and in the support of their fellow worshippers and local community."

    Mr Ryan owned Ryan Alarms and Electrical Services based in Westward Ho!

    Keith Beviss, 54, appeared in court on Thursday morning charged with his murder.

    Keith Beviss.jpg

     

  4. Diario De Soria, Saturday 10 June 2017

    The 'morcilleros' maintain their commitment to the quality and the artisan processes and introduce the innovation to develop new concepts

    Although perhaps the most revolutionary product of the brand has been the ecumenical blood sausage, a bloodless blood so that Jehovah's Witnesses can enjoy without sin.

    READ MORE (via Google translate) https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.diariodesoria.es/noticias/laposada/inventores-morcilla_89765.html

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