Let it Reign, Let it Rein, Let it Rain

Which is correct?

1. I reigned in my excitement.
2. I reined in my excitement.

Since the above is a metaphor that originated with slowing down a horse by pulling back on the reins, the correct answer is number 2. You cannot "reign in" anything; you "reign over" things. You know, like a king?


reign  [reyn]
noun
1.the period during which a sovereign occupies the throne.
2.royal rule or authority; sovereignty.
3.dominating power or influence: the reign of law.
verb (used without object)
4.to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority.
5.to hold the position and name of sovereign without exercising the ruling power.
6.to have control, rule, or influence of any kind.
7.to predominate; be prevalent.



rein  [reyn]
noun
1.Often, reins. a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit. See illus. under harness.
2.any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.
3.any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.
4.reins, the controlling or directing power: the reins of government.
verb (used with object)
5.to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.
6.to curb; restrain; control.

These are both not to be confused with the water that falls from the sky.


rain  [reyn]  Show IPA
noun
1.water that is condensed from the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere and falls to earth in drops more than 1  / 50  in. (0.5 mm) in diameter. Compare drizzle (  def 6 ) .
2.a rainfall, rainstorm, or shower: We had a light rain this afternoon.
3.rains, the rainy season; seasonal rainfall, as in India.
4.weather marked by steady or frequent rainfall: We had rain most of last summer.
5.a heavy and continuous descent or inflicting of anything: a rain of blows; a rain of vituperation.
(definitions from dictionary.com)

When words sound the same, they are called "homonyms." Usually, the different spellings have different meanings, and should not be mixed up if you don't want to sound completely stupid.