“ALTERNATE VERSUS ALTERNATIVE: Several careful users of the language among subscribers pointed aghast at my inclusion of "alternate" in Weird Words last week: "A modified version of his game immediately became hugely popular under his alternate name". I can only plead temporary insanity on grounds of swollen-headedness. Things that alternate occur in turn repeatedly; this was not, of course, what I meant, rather that it was a name available as another possibility, an alternative.”
I don’t get it. I’ve been using 'alternate' in the supposedly unacceptable way all of my life, which, of course, doesn’t necessarily make it right, and have heard the phrase ‘alternate plans’ more times than I can count. And according to Random House Unabridged, Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged, and American Heritage Dictionary, which offer it as one of their definitions, it appears to be a perfectly acceptable usage. Random House says, “constituting an alternative: ‘The alternate route is more scenic.’” American Heritage says, “Serving or used in place of another; substitute: an alternate plan.” Merriam-Webster’s says, “alternative, substitute <this highway is an alternate route> <copper may be used as an alternate material> <make an alternate selection>.” However, I did notice that The Oxford English Dictionary did not offer this alternative use of ‘alternate.’ Is this perhaps a British versus American English thing? But wouldn’t Michael Quinion, a renowned lexicographer, have known and mentioned this if it were. I have e-mailed him on this issue and hope he replies, but in the mean time any of your thoughts on this subject will be appreciated.
Ken G – July 10, 2004