Quote:
Originally Posted by atwater10
Interestering idiom: it seems to be correct both ways??
WikiAnswers- Idioms and Slang
Q. Is the saying Beckon call or beck and call?
A. The term "beck and call" used in a sentence is "Sue has her husband running at her beck and call." Beck is a short term for "Beconing" ( summoning someone to you as if by order) and call means to call out or demand. In other words the person who has people coming to their "beck and call" is bossy and over-powering and in control.  |
According to Websters New World Dictionary, both are usable. Beck is not short term for "Beconing"....it is short term for "Beckoning".
The usability of certain grammar is not point. I could use the word Blooter, which is correct as of 1958, but wouldn't apply in 2008 language... "Beck" - A gesture toward obedient servants. "Call" - to summon. Technically, he and you are correct....however that is not how it is used in modern day English and not how he phrased it in his sentence.
Today, it is slang - to describe an attitude and method. Beckon comes from the word - Beacen (a sign - foreign).
"The witch had her slaves at her beckon call"...is capability/future along with attitude. (Modern English - slang off shoot from original usage)
"The witch had her slaves at her beck and call" ...describes present tense action. (Old English - formal)
As they are both correct for use in the English language, you are technically correct. However - modern English "slang" (since you looked it up that way - and it's used that way today), is Beckon Call.