PLAT VERSUS PLOT

Strictly speaking to plat is to map a piece of land. It is the specification record for property lines. Where it gets confusing is when someone says that a plat defines a plot of land.

The truth is that the two words came from the same source word which was French and the name for the flat surface of a sword or a flat surface of land. With this designation, the word plat entered into English and being English (not American), the A in the word was pronounced “ah.”

Plot coming from the same origin (for some definitions) began life as an alternate spelling of plat. You can plot a route using a chart (plat). You can use this word to create a diagram or chart which marks a number of points on a graph.

Pronunciation is essentially the same whether in English or American speech. Now you see the problem. The two words seem to sound alike and seem to mean the same.

However, you cannot use plat for a conspiracy or play (drama, movie). These requires a “plot.” This use of the word plot has a murky beginning and is probably not from the same source as that of “plat.”

Have I thoroughly confused you? Well, welcome aboard. I find it confusing, too. The only use I have for plat in my ordinary life is in crossword puzzles. As for plot, well I am a writer after all, take a guess.

My final words to you: May you never have to go to court using a plat to keep your land, and may you never be the victim of an evil plot. Otherwise, plot and plat as the needs arise.