ABSTRACT
16. (9) First, let us look at Schleicher's example: English had and Gothic habaidêdeima. The English form is preferable, on the principle that any one who has to choose between walking one mile or four miles will, other things being equal, prefer the shorter cut. It is true that if we take words to be self-existing natural objects, habaidêdeima has the air of a giant, and had (like most other words which have been exposed to phonetic changes carried on through a long succession of ages) is left a mere pigmy. If, however, we remember the fact that what we call a word is really and primarily the combined action of human muscles to produce an audible effect, we see that the shortening of a form means a diminution of effort and a saving of time in the communication of our thoughts. If had has suffered from wear and tear in the long course of time, this means that the wear and tear of people now using this form in their speech is less than if they were still encumbered with the old giant habaidêdeima (comp. below, § 92, footnote).
