Last-Stitch Effort or Last-Ditch Effort: Which Is Correct?

Hello, you have A Way with Words.

Hello, this is Scott from San Diego.

Hiya, Scott.

Hello, Scott.

Hi, my wife and I have this argument all the time.

We argue over last-ditch effort versus last-ditch effort.

Mm—

And who’s on…

Wait, say that first one again.

That’s last-stitch, S-T-I-T-C-H?

Correct.

And then last-ditch, D-I-T-C-H.

Mm—

My argument is it’s last-ditch effort coming from the Depression era to stitch something together to keep your clothes together versus my wife’s version of last-ditch effort.

Well, is she around?

Yes, she is.

Oh, can we talk to her?

Absolutely.

I am.

Hi, Martha.

How are you?

Hi there.

Who’s this?

This is Jennifer.

Jennifer.

Hello, Jennifer.

So you guys argue a lot?

Well, we’re married.

Of course we argue.

But, you know, it’s just an intellectual argument, so it’s harmless.

Okay, so Jennifer, you’re arguing for last ditch.

What’s your reasoning about last ditch?

I, you know, I guess we’ve been arguing about it so long we forget who’s up for which side.

I actually say last stitch effort like a woman sewing.

And I thought that it might have come from back when the women used to get to make all the clothing by hand.

That it was your last stitch effort to sort of bind up or tie or hold things together.

And then we’ll argue for a while.

It sounds like we’ve been arguing about it long enough that we forget which side we’re on.

Yeah, it sounds like you’re on the same side.

Well, that’s what happens when you love and respect somebody.

You let them convince you of things, and so you’re both convinced each other.

That’s right. You probably look alike, too, right?

Wear the same clothes.

Oh, I hope not.

You hope not.

Absolutely not.

Wow, well, let’s see if we can give you a verdict.

I haven’t answered.

My question for you, though, is whether or not this is going to ruin things,

Because sometimes it’s really nice just to argue about something innocuous

So the big fights don’t come up.

I mean, if I spoil this for you, you’re not going to be able to argue about it anymore.

Well, that’s true, but I’m sure we’ll find something new to argue about.

Yeah, all right, all right, if you’re sure.

The correct answer is last ditch, with a D.

And it dates to the late 1880s, and it comes from the expression to fight to the last ditch.

Think about warfare, trench warfare.

And it’s contemporaneous with the last ditch battle.

And last ditch, I’ve never done a thorough search for this.

Last ditch, S-T-I-T-C-H, doesn’t come up until the late 80s or early 90s.

Really?

I kind of like the Depression era, you know, just trying to hold your clothes together,

You know, hold that little burlap sack to keep it from falling off your…

It’s a nice post hoc explanation, that’s for sure.

Well, Scott, what do you think?

Well, I’m sad I was incorrect, but I’m happy to know the correct foundation of this one.

So we’ll find another one for you someday soon.

Oh, that sounds good.

I do like your image, Scott, I have to say.

But Grant’s right.

It’s a military term.

Well, thank you guys very much for clearing that one up.

Have a happy marriage.

Thanks.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

If you’ve got a dispute that needs resolving, we are the grammar judges.

At least we try to be, except when we’re fighting amongst ourselves.

The number to call is 1-877-929-9673.

Or you can send Martha and me emails at words@waywordradio.org.