There are a few things I'm thankful for being born British.
Opportunities, amazingly fascinating (and occasionally brutal) history, our amazing National Health Service, and also the fact that I've not had to learn English as a foreign language because...
I'm not sure I would have coped.
English is strewn with quirks and intricacies and more words that break the rules than follow them.
And for the most part, we know the right words by instinct rather than applying any rhyme or reason.
It just is.
I learned about a new concept this week, but I've known about it for as long as I've been able to speak—Ablaut reduplication.
Whaaaat?
Ablaut reduplication.
If you've heard the term, I applaud you, but I imagine you, like me, will be more familiar with its effect than its meaning.
It's the reason why we have a Big Bad Wolf and not a Bad Big Wolf.
...Flip flops and not flop flips...
...Tick Tock and not Tock Tick....
...and why the Queens in DragRace UK sang about Bing Bang Bong.
So, what is going on here?
Essentially, it's the order in which vowels MUST come in a series of two or more words or else it just sounds. Plain. Wrong.
I followed by A followed by O.
Or if you have two words, you have a choice.
I followed by A or O.
In the words of my 2-year old niece, but WHY?!
Damned if I know.
It just is.
English*, huh?
*it happens in most Indo-European languages, apparently... isn't language a tricksy thing?!