Chrysti The Wordsmith: Carrot & Stick

Greetings and welcome to Christie the wordsmith. For some time now word watchers have been engaged in a friendly debate about a common expression is it a carrot on a stick or carrot and stick. English speakers using either variation generally agree that the carrot in the phrase represents some type of incentive or reward. But it's the stick that divides phrase ologists into two camps. Those who favor a carrot on a stick. See the expression inspired by an old cartoon image of a recalcitrant donkey lured into forward motion by a carrot tied to the end of a stick which in turn is attached to the neck of the animal with the tempting carrot suspended just beyond its mouth. Though the donkey never reaches the carrot the enticement moves it perpetually forward providing a metaphor for offering unrealistic incentives. Others say carrot and stick with the carrot again as the donkeys motivation but the stick as a ready instrument of punishment should the creature balk. Carrot and stick

then refers to a plan or circumstance that rewards good behavior and punishes noncompliance. The Oxford English Dictionary dating the first citation of the phrase at 916 endorses the latter interpretation. It also seems to be the version favored by modern journalists and broadcasters. I'm Christie the wordsmith. The series is produced and recorded in the studios of the FM on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman. CHRISTIE The wordsmith is sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Zoot enterprises a high tech firm in Bozeman Montana offering challenging careers and innovative solutions for the financial services industry. Zoot web dot com.