I’ve been wanting to write about this little annoyance for a few weeks now.  I hear it all the time and bite my tongue to keep from correcting everyone.  Many people use the word whelp when they mean welt. A whelp is a puppy or cub.  To whelp is to give birth.  I believe dog breeders still use the term whelping box.  A welt is a red mark or raised area of skin from being struck or stung.  A welt does not whelp up. 

These words have nothing to do with one another, except for sounding a little alike. I understand that some non-standard English is acceptable in everyday conversation, but it bothers me that many Americans, apparently, don’t know their own language well enough to realize there is a difference.  I want to scream every time I hear it! Am I a grammar Nazi? Yup.  I live with it and try not to irritate other people by correcting them.