The word _make_ is perhaps used in a greater variety of senses than any
other word in the English language. For instance:
“To _make, fabricate, form, render, create_, &c. These words though
sometimes used indifferently for each other, yet are by no means
synonymous.
The taylor, _makes_ a coat, the shoemaker a pair of shoes, the carpenter
a joint-stool, &c. _ad infinitum_.
We say a man _makes a shift_, but they must not suppose that he _makes
use_ of his wife’s needle, and _makes_ her a shift. The words are used
figuratively, and only imply, that when he has no shirt, he _makes_ a
shift without it.
Again, kings _make_ war, and children _make_ a noise; but it would be
absurd to say, that kings _fabricate_ a war or that children _fabricate_
a noise.
A lady bids her housekeeper _make_ or distil some peppermint, or any
other _simple_ water; or to _make_ her some _water-gruel_ in her silver
saucepan, but it would be rather indelicate simply to bid her _make
water_ in the saucepan.
We may say, indifferently, either to _make_ or to _form_ a party at
cards, or on the water. And the word _render_ may sometimes be
substituted for make; as _making_ love _makes_ or _renders_ an old man
ridiculous.
I believe the phrase is to _give_, not to _make_, a rout or a ball. And
though if a lady loses her thimble she sometimes _makes a rout_ about
it, yet that, I believe, is rather a _vulgarism_; like making a _fuss_
or a _bustle_ about trifles.
We say, such a thing _makes_ me sick, or _makes_ me laugh.
If a man has a _good_ wife, he should _make_ much of her; if a _bad_
one, he should _make_ the best of it; or at least _make_ himself easy,
but not _make_ away with her.
To _create_, means to _make_ something out of nothing. Hence we say,
metaphorically, to _create_ a dispute, that is, to dispute about
nothing.
But it is time to _make an end_ of this article.
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