Re: OT: WAY OT: Re: OT: Re: What? the clean-shaven outnumber the bearded?

Joe wrote:

>I think it's a subjunctive, following the analogy of 'hallowed be thy name'.
>And, of course, it's definitely archaic, the modern form would be 'Let God
>forbid' or  'May God forbid'.
>
Those both sound archaic to me; I would've said something like 'God
should forbid' or 'God better forbid' (with a mostly rising tone).

As a command, 'God, forbid' (directed to God) or 'God better forbid'
(not directed to God, and more of a threat; has a generally falling tone).

For me, 'let God forbid' means 'stop preventing God from forbidding',
and 'may' has been mostly replaced by 'can' or 'might' when possible;
alternative constructions when not.

--
Tristan                  <kesuari@...>