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Rank: Clumeleon
Joined: 5/13/2011
Posts: 3,230
Location: Dundee, United Kingdom
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In the course of writing a story, it struck me that I didn't know the real difference between 'while' and 'whilst'. I have always used both and felt I knew instinctively when to use one or the other. When I researched the topic further, I discovered that they are widely considered interchangeable and that 'whilst' is thought to be a more archaic word used only in Britain (and even then, decreasingly so). Even so, I can't help but feel that there is a subtle difference, that they each carry a certain nuance. Sometimes, when I read a sentence back, one feels decidedly more fitting than the other. So, two questions: Do any of you non-Britons use the word 'whilst', or is it just us? If you do use the word 'whilst', do you use it as synonymous with 'while' or do you, like me, feel there is a (perhaps imagined) difference in their meaning (and can anyone pin it down)? [Of course, I refer throughout to the subordinating conjunction, not the noun, 'while', lest there be pedants amongst (similar situation?) you.]
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 3/12/2011
Posts: 511
Location: somewhere on the coast, United States
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I have read "whilst" but never used it. It is not a popular word down on the bayou (Louisiana) where I come from. I think I have heard some Cajun's using a word that sounds like that but I am sure it has a different meaning. I have always loved to hear authentic Cajun, especially on a shirtless well muscled hunky rough guy.
Sorry Eviotis, I think i got off the point didn't I? Pretend I flashed my breasts at you as an apology!
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 6/8/2011
Posts: 164
Location: In my favourite blankey.
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They've meant the same for myself as well, and as for using them, it depends on the voice of the writing. Whilst is definitely more archaic and if I was writing something that should sound as though spoken from an era gone by, I'd use it.
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Rank: Purveyor of Poetry & Porn
Joined: 10/19/2009
Posts: 5,411
Location: Right here on Lush Stories...
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clum wrote:
Do any of you non-Britons use the word 'whilst', or is it just us?
I would have to say "no" to this one...your comment about it being somewhat archaic I think is accurate... I might consider using it in my next lesbian pirate story though... 
 You know you want it, you know you need it bad...get it now on Amazon.com...Lush Erotica, an Anthology of Award Winning Sex Stories
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Rank: Clumeleon
Joined: 5/13/2011
Posts: 3,230
Location: Dundee, United Kingdom
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DirtyMartini wrote:I might consider using it in my next lesbian pirate story though... The horror!
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Rank: Lurker
Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 332,034
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I think it is quite funny that many people here think "whilst" was archaic, because, in fact, "while" is older than "whilst".
“While” was in use in Old English and “whilst” is a Middle English development. There is no difference in meaning between them.
“Whilst” has died out in American English but has survived in British English. In the UK “whilst” is considered more formal and literary than “while.”
There are other words of this kind; “among” and “amongst” and “amid” and “amidst”. These pairs are also interchangeable.
God, I love my high school English teacher for teaching us something this useless.
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Rank: Clumeleon
Joined: 5/13/2011
Posts: 3,230
Location: Dundee, United Kingdom
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Thank you, "Alice", for shedding some well-informed light on the matter. I can't say my high school German teacher ever went quite so in depth when discussing the origins of words, but us Brits are notoriously bad at learning foreign languages (I'm not trying to cause a riot here, just stereotyping). I think the subtle "difference" I thought I perceived was simply the formality of the word (I often get quite formal in my prose, even when writing smut). In which case, I feel justified in saying that sometimes one is more apt than the other. The richness of language rarely fails to fascinate me. Perhaps I should have studied English or Linguistics rather than Mathematics (I take it back! I take it back! I love maths!).
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Rank: Active Ink Slinger
Joined: 2/28/2010
Posts: 49
Location: mumbai
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yup i do use both while and whilst
whilst is synonymous with while,
i generally use while in formal and whilst in informal conversation
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Rank: Advanced Wordsmith
Joined: 5/19/2011
Posts: 87
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All the Brits in/from London that I work (mostly Lloyd's people)with use "whilst", even those who have since moved to the US.
Writing quality explicit material for nearly one one-hundreth of a century.
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 2/24/2011
Posts: 221
Location: Fremont, United States
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Well there are subtle differences in usage between the two words and they are certainly NOT interchangeable in all circumstances. Both while and whilst can be used as conjunctions or relative adverbs, but only "while" can be used as a noun, so for example "stay here for a little whilst" would not work. Also in the context of "while away the hours" can never be replaced with "whilst away the hours". "Whilst" is an adverbial genitive. This means it is used to describe verbs.
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Rank: Lurker
Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 332,034
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I never use it. Or know anyone that does. In fact, when I come across it when reading, I stumble over it and it slows me down.
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Rank: The Linebacker
Joined: 3/2/2011
Posts: 3,445
Location: Atlanta, United States
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Around here if you use 'whilst' they will know that you are not a local. HAI had a teacher in high school that used 'whilst.' She also used 'hither' as in "come hither and take your seats." Some student stuck a big long red plastic dildo to the front grillwork of her car and she drove around for 2 days without realizing it.
Please check out my newest story: "The Legend of Dick Touché"http://www.lushstories.com/stories/group-sex/the-legend-of-dick-touch%C3%A9.aspxOr my previous story: http://www.lushstories.com/stories/milf/10-items-or-less.aspx
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Rank: Author
Joined: 10/22/2011
Posts: 2,005
Location: Expat in, Russia
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I use both in a story, but never as one character using both.
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Rank: Clumeleon
Joined: 5/13/2011
Posts: 3,230
Location: Dundee, United Kingdom
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Rank: The Right Rev of Lush
Joined: 7/3/2009
Posts: 2,569
Location: Lost in the ozone somewhere east of Luckenbach Tx,
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Clum, to my US ear, 'whilst' does sound a bit archaic. That may be part of the reason why to me it seems more past tense than does 'while' -- if that makes any sense, which I doubt. The only time I'd consider using 'whilst' is in dialogue unless the story was historical. Just FWIW.  .
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 4/3/2010
Posts: 3,340
Location: California
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If I said whilst to anyone I know they would think I was being a douche.
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Rank: Author
Joined: 10/22/2011
Posts: 2,005
Location: Expat in, Russia
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Magical_felix wrote:If I said whilst to anyone I know they would think I was being a douche. Hey, you said it...
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 4/3/2010
Posts: 3,340
Location: California
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FtLMale wrote:
Hey, you said it...
Elaborate.
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Rank: Author
Joined: 10/22/2011
Posts: 2,005
Location: Expat in, Russia
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Magical_felix wrote:
Elaborate.
Your words need no further elaboration.
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 4/3/2010
Posts: 3,340
Location: California
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FtLMale wrote:
Your words need no further elaboration.
That's what I thought. *fizzle pop*
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Rank: Author
Joined: 10/22/2011
Posts: 2,005
Location: Expat in, Russia
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Magical_felix wrote:
That's what I thought. *fizzle pop*
*fizzle pop*
Yeah, I guess you hear that frequently as well.
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 4/3/2010
Posts: 3,340
Location: California
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FtLMale wrote:
*fizzle pop*
Yeah, I guess you hear that frequently as well.
You want my attention really bad don't you? Why, why is that? I really am curious.
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Rank: Author
Joined: 10/22/2011
Posts: 2,005
Location: Expat in, Russia
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Magical_felix wrote:
You want my attention really bad don't you? Why, why is that? I really am curious.
Felix... I like you... you are funny
enjoy the moment.
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Rank: Thread Mediator
Joined: 9/25/2009
Posts: 4,114
Location: United States
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And the point of all of that was...?
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 4/3/2010
Posts: 3,340
Location: California
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Yeah FTL male, what was the point? I'm asking you why you feel the need to bug me like this then back out and say "you like me" when you are questioned to elaborate on your fixation with me.
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Rank: Gingerbread Lover
Joined: 1/6/2012
Posts: 3,294
Location: Trumpton, United Kingdom
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I naturally use "whilst", whilst wondering if it should be "while". And now I know, and can use it without worrying.
And Magical_Felix, if I heard you use it, I'd not think anything of it, it's a real word and everyfink! 
Ut incepit fidelis, sic permanet.
 ***  ********************************CLICK THE BANNERS TO BUY THESE WILLY-STIFFENING BOOKS!********************************
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Rank: Author
Joined: 10/22/2011
Posts: 2,005
Location: Expat in, Russia
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LadyX wrote:And the point of all of that was...?
Self Entertainment...
The primary purpose of Lush...
Others are interested.....
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Rank: Gingerbread Lover
Joined: 1/6/2012
Posts: 3,294
Location: Trumpton, United Kingdom
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Whilst we're on the subject of entertainment, I'm not currently entertained, sadly.
Ut incepit fidelis, sic permanet.
*** ********************************CLICK THE BANNERS TO BUY THESE WILLY-STIFFENING BOOKS!********************************
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Rank: Thread Mediator
Joined: 9/25/2009
Posts: 4,114
Location: United States
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Entertainment for some, tiresome for others. Let's take this episode away from the forum, please. If there's more to this than passive aggressive sparring, please one of you let me know via PM. Thanks!
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Rank: Gingerbread Lover
Joined: 1/6/2012
Posts: 3,294
Location: Trumpton, United Kingdom
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