The word "grammar" itself has a lovely etymology and convoluted history.
From the OED: "ad. OF. gramaire (F. grammaire), an irregular semipopular adoption (for the form of which cf. OF. mire repr. L. medicum, artimaire repr. L. artem magicam or mathematicam) of L. grammatica, ad. Gr. (scil. art), fem. of adj., of or pertaining to letters or literature, f. letters, literature, pl. of letter, written mark, f. root of to write. Cf. Pr. gramaira (prob. from Fr.). Old Fr. had also a learned adoption of the L. word, gramatique, parallel with Sp. gramática, Pg., It. grammatica, G. grammatik, Welsh gramadeg.
"In the Middle Ages, grammatica and its Rom. forms chiefly meant the knowledge or study of Latin, and were hence often used as synonymous with learning in general, the knowledge peculiar to the learned class. As this was popularly supposed to include magic and astrology, the OF. gramaire was sometimes used as a name for these occult sciences. In these applications it still survives in certain corrupt forms, F. grimoire, Eng. GLAMOUR.
"Glamour: Originally Sc., introduced into the literary language by Scott. A corrupt form of
GRAMMAR; for the sense cf. GRAMARYE (and F. grimoire), and for the form GLOMERY.] 1. Magic, enchantment, spell; esp. in the phrase to cast the glamour over one (see quot. 1721). 2. a. A magical or fictitious beauty attaching to any person or object; a delusive or alluring charm.
So we have letters, literature, inscription, magic, and glamour all packed into this gorgeous word. I'd use it, Rick.
Whatever grammar is, it's based on that which can (theoretically) be systematized and is (more or less) rule bound. It's useful, I think, to contrast grammar with that which cannot be systematized (e.g., syle).
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