Question

Reverend Rector stepped up to his pulpit and glowered at his flock. "It's becoming obvious," he began, "that the devil himself is among us. I hear that members of my church are staying out late, going to bowling alleys, and in some cases even dancing! From now on, you shall cleave to my principles of no dancing, drinking, or bowling!"
That very night, the Reverend got a call from one of the flock that his son Rodney had been seen rather intoxicated at an all-night dance. The next morning when poor Rodney woke to both a massive hangover and an irate father, he simply replied that he had followed his father's sermon right to the letter. How could this be?

I am giving a Brainiest and a 73 points if you can solve this.

Answer 1

The word "cleave" has 2 opposite meanings. In some cases, it can mean to go with, follow or adhere to rules (which is what Reverend Rector meant). However, it has an equally acceptable meaning, which is to cut, to separate, or to go away from (which is what Rodney did).
Cleave is one of those words with multiple and opposite meanings, which makes their use ambiguous. Other examples exist, like the word "easterly", which can mean coming from the east or going to the east.