Let’s Get This Straight

Welcome to Homophones Wednesday! “Straight” and “strait” are pronounced the same, but have different – if somewhat subtle – meanings.

As is often the case with our oh-so-wonderful language, there are exceptions to the usage rules. But here are the basics:

• “Straight” typically describes something which does not curve or bend. It can also mean “heterosexual” and “exhibiting fairness.”
• “Strait” is (almost always) a noun meaning a narrow body of water between two land masses. It can also refer to a difficult or stressful situation, as in, “She’s in dire financial straits.”
• One trick for remembering the difference: “strait” has fewer letters than “straight,” making it a “narrower” word.

The confusion often comes with compound words. If you hesitate when writing “straitjacket” or “straitlaced,” you’re not alone. We see these words frequently spelled with “straight” rather than “strait” – and although technically incorrect, both spellings are now widely accepted.

Without getting into the weeds to defend one or the other…if you want to be technically correct, keep in mind that there’s a quality of narrowness or tightness involved: “straitjacket” is a garment designed to constrict movement; “straitlaced” describes a person who is morally rigid.

As for the expression “straight and narrow” – well, it originated in the Bible as “strait.” But spelling it this way today is considered pedantic.