Dove is usually a white bird of the pigeon family?

[Finless]

As a scuba diver I get increasingly annoyed at the number of people who use the word "dove" to express having dived in the past tense.

Having used Google to find out the correctness of the word I was horrified to read about 'weak/strong' verbs and the fact that "dove" has become acceptable?

If you'll excuse my poor English but please SAY IT AIN'T SO!

[Anglika]

I am really sorry you feel like this. It is not "has become" acceptable, but is an alternative. Language evolves and this is one of its manifestations of evolution.
Dive:
1dive Pronunciation:\ˈdīv\ Function:verb Inflected Form(s):dived \ˈdīvd\ or dove \ˈdōv\; dived also dove; div·ing
Note that it is pronounced with a hard "o" whereas the bird has a soft one.

[RonBee]

Pigeons are also known as rock doves. (Rhymes with love.)

I dove into the pool. (Rhymes with rove.)

~R

[Finless]

Thank you both for the information.

I understand language evolves and changes but this is one specific change I don't like for some reason. I wonder if it is an Americanism? No offense is meant to our cousins from 'over the pond' but I'd like to keep our way of doing things. Still, I suppose that with the multicultural society that exists in the UK now there is little chance of that?

Perhaps I want language to be unchanged from the way I know it. This is quite a strange attitude really as I was born in 1957 and remember all the changes that occurred when hippies were around, man!

I hate to think what changes are in progress now with all the rap and hip hop culture.

[finta]

Thank you both for the information.

I understand language evolves and changes but this is one specific change I don't like for some reason. I wonder if it is an Americanism? No offense is meant to our cousins from 'over the pond' but I'd like to keep our way of doing things. Still, I suppose that with the multicultural society that exists in the UK now there is little chance of that?

Perhaps I want language to be unchanged from the way I know it. This is quite a strange attitude really as I was born in 1957 and remember all the changes that occurred when hippies were around, man!

I hate to think what changes are in progress now with all the rap and hip hop culture.

Hi Finless!

I think the North American 'dive/dove' is a log-standing difference..you might find it in Mark Twain...not a new guest!

finta