Surplus and Surplice

Surplus and Surplice Surplus and Surplice Surplus and Surplice By Maeve Maddox The fashion term â€Å"surplice neckline† recently came to my attention. The term applies to a diagonally crossed neckline that creates a deep v-shaped neckline. The surplice style is thought of as a â€Å"faux wrap,† a cross-over design that makes the garment look as if it is wrapped around the wearer. Unlike a wrap-around garment, the faux wrap is sewn in place. Perhaps it is this â€Å"extra† piece of cloth that causes some advertisers to misspell surplice as surplus: Dress like a goddess in this gorgeous gown made in sheer chiffon and designed with a surplus neckline Emily West Girls Surplus Neckline Floral Dress Get Deals Arden B. Womens Lace Back Surplus Neckline Tank Julian Taylor Womens Printed Surplus Neckline Dress surplus: more than sufficient; extra Before I learned the fashion term, my only acquaintance with the word surplice was the wide-sleeved white ecclesiastical garment worn by priests and altar boys over a cassock. The earliest documentation for the noun surplice in the OED is from a manuscript dated c1290. The word entered English from Anglo-Norman surpliz, which derived from medieval Latin superpellicium. By 1382, the word could also mean any â€Å"ample or enveloping† garment. The literal meaning of the Latin word was â€Å"over the fur garment.† In winter, medieval churches were cold and drafty. Apparently the priest bundled up in a practical fur tunic or robe and wore the priestly garment over it. Finally, surplice and surplus, are pronounced differently: surplice [SUR-pliss] surplus [SUR-plus] Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:The Meaning of "To a T"Email Etiquette150 Foreign Expressions to Inspire You