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Tail vs. Tale

A tail with an "I" is something that sticks out, often flexibly, from the rear or bottom of an animal or a thing, like a kite.
A cat sometimes uses its tail to keep its feet warm.
A tale is a story. It may be true, or it may be exaggerated.
Stories about fishing are often just tall tales.

Tail

Could the dot of the “i” be the tail of a cat?

Tale

Do you drink an ale while you are telling a tale?

Probably I could go into some detailed analysis of the history of each word, but something silly seems a better way to remember which one to use.

Examples:

  • The dog wagged his tail so hard that he knocked the glass off the table.
    • (“tail” = an animal’s appendage, the last part over the fence)
  • The glass hitting the floor interrupted the old gentlemen who were telling tall tales about hunting.
    • (“tale” = a story, often fictitious or exaggerated)
  • “That was the biggest white-tailed buck I ever saw. I tracked him for twenty-five miles.”
    • (“tail” = the deer’s appendage. In this case, it is white.)
  • Crash! “Oh, Bill, there went your ale! That’s what you get for telling such a tale.”
    • (“tale” = a story, often fictitious or exaggerated)

Credits: Photo by Alex Meier, Photo by Alex Meier on Unsplash

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