I’ll say this, both Strunk & White are good sports.
mmm
Leaf -> leaves
Death -> deaves
Entirely logical.
Of course, it’s laughably wrong - but still logical.
Only if you’re a Cockney. In what American English dialect does a singular noun ending in “th” get transformed with a “v” when pluralized?
AAVE and Newfoundland English are the only ones in North America, Wikipedia claims.
I used to enjoy pointing out to English teachers that the first definition of compare in most dictionaries is “to find out or point out how persons or things are alike and how they differ,” particularly when using a dictionary from the English teacher’s own desk.
“Compare and contrast” is repetitiously redundant.
It may be redundant, but the point is to clarify that you are not just supposed to tell how something is similar or just tell how it is different.
It also likely is a holdover from older and/or more formal uses of the word “compare.”
I basically proofread for a living. I can’t believe how many people have no clue how to use *myself *properly. Sally and myself will be available from 2-4. Myself will assist you. Myself and my team will review your request. Gaaaaahhhhhhh! It grates on my nerves just to type those out and post. shudder
I hear that the “-and contrast” bit is for emphasis from the English teachers, too. Why don’t they just teach that compare means both similarities and differences, and emphasize it until the kids get it? The added contrast bit seems like turning it up to eleven-