Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (part 17)

Happy Leap Year Day, everyone! I can't end the month without a few more misused/misspelled words. Because we received an extra day this month, I've included an extra set of words:

Heighth

Wrong: He is six feet in heighth.
Right: He is six feet in height.

This is a simple misspelling/mispronunciation, likely caused by the fact that width and depth each end with th. Height rhymes with night; it ends with a hard t sound not a th.

Inequity vs. iniquity

Wrong: He visited a den of inequity.
Right: He visited a den of iniquity.

Unless there was something unfair about that den, the correct word here is iniquity (sin or wickedness). Inequity refers to unfairness, injustice, or bias.

Alot vs. a lot vs. allot

Wrong: Thanks alot!
Right: Thanks a lot!

This is a simple spelling error. There’s no such word as alot. (And don’t confuse it with allot, which means to “parcel out” or “divvy up.”) If you dole out items frequently, you might allot a lot.

Don't worry, it won't be another four years until the next installment. 8^} Stay tuned for the next thrilling episode!

Mark.