Commonly Confused Words: Palpable and Palatable

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Our friends from Hannibal and Hamlet will help us understand the difference between palpable and palatable, two words that sound much more similar than they are.



Palpable

Something 'palpable' is something that can be felt, or that can be easily perceived or understood. Its most famous use is probably from Hamlet's swordfight with Laertes, just before all the bodies start hitting the ground:

Laertes: Come, my lord.
[They play and Hamlet scores a hit]

Hamlet: One.

Laertes: No.

Hamlet: Judgment.

Osric: A hit, a very palpable hit.

It's not used that often any more, and when it is it's usually used metaphorically:

It was the first time that Will and Alana had been alone in a room since Will's ill-advised attempt at a kiss. The tension between them was palpable.

The tension is so intense it's almost physical; you feel you could reach out and touch it.

Merriam-Webster says that the origin of the word is "Middle English, from Late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare to stroke, caress." (The word shares a root with palpate.)

Palatable

Palatable also has Latin and English ancestors. It takes its origin from the English word palate, from the Latin palatum, meaning both a sense of taste and the physical roof of the mouth. (You may be familiar with a 'cleft palate' or the 'hard palate,' both referring to this physical trait.)

"Freddie Lounds, the vegetarian," Will mused. "I wouldn't have guessed. Figured her for more of a beer and burgers kind of girl."

Hannibal pursed his lips. "I suppose I'm not particularly surprised that her palate is as as unrefined as everything else about her."

How do you remember the difference? If you can remember that palate is the origin of palatable, you can remember that the word relates to taste. Palpable emotions or sensations are those that leave no doubt, as Osric said when he judged the swordfight in Hamlet.