Make Your Editor Cry: Beckon call vs. Beck and call
The word “beckon” means to call over or to request. So, of course, this misuse seems to make sense.
However, the original phrasing was a bit more on-the-nose and when you understand the real meanings of the words, you realize that a “beckon call” is not a thing.
A “beck” is a signal, gesture, or nod that indicates that someone is required, and it is actually the origin of the word “beckon.” Therefore, not only is a “beckon call” redundant, it is also incorrect.
The correct usage is to refer to your necessity of responding to someone’s beck—meaning that person’s gesture—and/or their call.
The correct phrase is “beck and call.”
Example:
Incorrect:
I keep the pizza delivery service at my beckon call.
Correct:
The servants at the palace are at the beck and call of the king and the entire royal family.
Gregg Bridgeman is the Editor-in-Chief at Olivia Kimbrell Press. He is husband to best-selling Christian author Hallee Bridgeman and parent to three. He continues to proudly serve in the US Armed Forces and has done so in either an active or reserve capacity for more than twenty years as an airborne and air assault qualified paratrooper, earning a Bronze Star for his service. Most importantly, he was ordained in October of 2001 after surrendering his life to Christ decades earlier.