hidden and hid

[swedeheart]

For metrical reasons I wish to use hid instead of hidden in a text I am writing. My question is, does it sound obsolete? Americans use it, I believe, but does it sound obsolete in British English? Biblical, even? (Like in "it is hid to them that are lost".)

[novalis]

Modern usage is hid for simple past
"He hid the money."
and hidden for the perfect tense
"He has hidden the money."

Usage would depend on context.

[swedeheart]

Thanks novalis but that's not what I'm after here. I wish to write "it is hid" instead of "it is hidden". Thanks though!

[Robinia]

Sounds fine to me :o)
sorry sweedie, but this made me laugh... we Nottingham folks say hid whenever hidden is correct

[swedeheart]

Oh good I'll dedicate it to you then Robinia :-)

[Quizmonster]

It certainly has an archaic ring to it, but in verse - which I assume you are using here given that you wish it to be metrical - why not?

[swedeheart]

Thanks very much Quizmonster, I was feeling very uncertain about it but will go ahead now.

Thanks from swedeheart, formerly known as DaSwede

[NiceCupOfTea]

If it's something you're writing, and it's come from the heart and is inspired, you have to write it the way it flows from you. Sod metricity, all of the works that move you to weep do as their authers dreamed not what grammer and the rules demanded.

[Ice.Maiden]

In context with what you want to write, "hid" would be acceptable. In everyday language, it's not grammatically correct, although as Robinia says, it can be peculiar to regional dialects.

[Quizmonster]

Maybe so, NCOT, but metre does have 'rules' which need to be 'obeyed', otherwise the rhythm - which the writer presumably wants - is lost.

[Quizmonster]

Ah! I wondered what had happened to DaSwede and even whether Swedeheart was a reincarnation or a newcomer. Good to see you're still around in one form or another.

[swedeheart]

Totally agree you have to write things as they flow from you, NiceCupOfTea - and sometimes it flows in a metrical manner which you sense as a beat before the actual words appear, to join that beat. Sometimes the beat comes from within - meter has everything to do with breathing and heartbeat and moving your body - and sometimes it comes from a tradition that listened within long before you yourself were born, but you find yourself inspired, not restrained, by what they found. Think about it, what assignment inspired you more in your schooldays: "Write a poem" or "Write a poem about an alien"? The brain loves to break free! I'm betting you would have been more inspired by the second task although it is less "free" than the first one? By the same token, "rules" (metric and others) can get you going - and keep you going - in a way that total freedom only rarely does. The trick is to set your boundaries wisely. But sure I know what you're saying, and so I agree with you and the old Monster ;-) both.

Ice.Maiden when you say incorrect, do you really mean incorrect and not just archaic?

[TrishK7]

I too think it has an archaic ring to it. And what is wrong with that? It sounds fine to me.

[swedeheart]

Thanks Trish! I shall use it!