Words

hove, n, v. and adj.

Christopher Hawtree
Tuesday 25 May 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

BEING BORN in Hove gave Ivy Compton-Burnett a lifetime's macabre material while Anthony Burgess, head down for six novels in a year, thought it full of those waiting to die (Lord Alfred Douglas's fate). Even so, Ringo Starr chose it for his honeymoon, and now the arrival of Fatboy Slim makes it a hot spot and any desirable property fetches half a million. This belies Hove's name, the Old English for shed.

Also suitably obsolete are the senses moderation and dregs, but fitting is the one of lingering; as are boats at anchor and birds hovering; and also, confusingly, soaring, for it is, in Johnson's phrase, "the preterite of heave". As for Fatboy Slim, he could revive the medieval expression - in Chaucer - for a fashionable dance: the hove-dance.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in