I've recently volunteered to emcee an event for the Friends of the West Hartford Library in Connecticut. Frankly, this has raised a lot of questions for me: What do I wear? Do they know about my overdue books? What if the enemies of the West Hartford Library ask me to emcee their event?

More important, this appearance prompts two linguistic questions: Is it "emcee" or "MC"? Will I be speaking into a "mic" or a "mike"?

As we all know, "emcee" and "MC" are abbreviations for "master of ceremonies," a term which, I was surprised to learn, first appeared in English as early as 1610. I keep picturing William Shakespeare at Ye Black Swanne Publick House: "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the annual banquet of the London Playwrights' Guild. Let's have a big hand for that rowdy contingent from Maryleybone!"

To be honest, the term "master of ceremonies" has always bothered me. It reminds me of that snarky little guy running around in the musical "Les Miserables" smugly singing, "Master of the house!"

The abbreviation "MC" for "master of ceremonies" first surfaced during the 1790s when George Washington said, "It's good to be back here as the MC at Fraunces Tavern, but, seriously, folks, I don't know how I let Alex Hamilton talk me into doing this every year."

The noun and verb "emcee" first appeared during the 1930s. It's a rare case of a word being formed to indicate the sound of letters, as when people write "okay" for "OK" and "deejay" for DJ.

Most authorities endorse "MC" and "emcee" for both the noun and the verb. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

"I paid for this microphone!" roared presidential candidate Ronald Reagan during a debate among Republican candidates in 1980. A few years later as president, Reagan, not realizing the radio mike before him was live, said, "I've outlawed the Soviet Union forever; we begin bombing in five minutes." Oops. What was it with Reagan and mikes? Or should that be "mics"?

"Mike" for "microphone" first appeared as a noun in 1924 and as a verb ("Have you miked the guest?") in 1939. "Mic" didn't show up until 1960. "Mic" strikes me as cutesy and, what's more, it can easily be mispronounced "mick." I'd stick with "mike."

A friend of mine, seeing a stage bristling with microphones, once quipped, "This concert has more mikes than the Boston Fire Department."

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to Wordguy@aol.com or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Rob Kyff and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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