Q. I seem to be in the minority when pronouncing "lived" in "short-lived" with a long "i" (as in "alive") rather than with a short "i" (as in "give"). Which is correct (or preferred)? — Claire Palmer, East Granby, Conn.

A. The long "i," as in "alive," is correct, preferred and historically accurate. That's because "short-lived" was originally "short-lifed" (pronounced with three syllables — "short-life-ed"). So the long "i" sound preserves the origins of this phrase.

And the same goes for "long-lived," which is correctly pronounced with a long "i" sound: "long-lyved."

But, alas, both these pronunciations are likely to be short-lived. When "v" replaced "f" in "short-lifed" and "long-lifed," creating "short-lived" and "long-lived," people inevitably began pronouncing "-lived" with a short "i" sound.

In fact, the American Heritage Dictionary reports that 43 percent of its usage panel preferred the short "i" sound, 39 percent preferred the long "i" sound, and 18 percent found both pronunciations equally acceptable. So your perception that you're in the minority when pronouncing it "short-lyved" is statistically validated.

But, as someone whose last name is pronounced "kife" not "kiff," I'm sticking with "short-lyved" and "long-lyved."

Q. I was seriously taken to task by an old friend when I referred to my children as "the kids." She stated that "kids" are baby goats, which I know and agree with. But the word "children" is defined in the dictionary as being "pre-pubescent," and my "children" are all in their 50s. — Jane Valmy via e-mail

A. Your friend has got to be kidding. Anyone born later than 1700 who is bothered by the use of "kid" to mean a child needs to spend more time with kids, which would make the connection between the goat kid and the human kid readily apparent.

In fact, "kid" has been used to mean a child since the 1500s. Originally considered "low slang," the term had become so acceptable by 1841 that no less a figure than the snooty Lord Shaftesbury could write of spending "a few days happily with my wife and kids."

As for what to call adult children in their 50s, "self-absorbed baby boomers" and "too busy to call" are the top two phrases. "Children" is fine, too, because one meaning of "child" is simply "a son or daughter," regardless of age.

I hope this spat with your friend will be short-lived (which doesn't, in case you're wondering, rhyme with "kid").

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 [email protected] 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.