alternate and alternative

These two words used to have quite distinct meanings.  If two things were described as alternate, it meant that one came after another in a repetitive pattern. If white follows black follows white follows black etc, then white is an alternate colour to black.  If something is described as alternative to another, then it is a possible option to be taken up.  If you spurn the fresh fruit, then custard is your alternative dessert. You have two options and choose which one you want. They are your two alternatives.

 Alternate – one comes after another.

Alternative – one is the option opposed to another.

 Things which are alternating come one after another. An alternating current is one which reverses direction at regular short intervals.  An alternative current to alternating current would be a direct induced current going in one direction. In an alternating current the alternate currents go in opposite directions.

 I think we lose something by blurring the distinction between alternate and alternative and using alternate for both meanings.  Instead of saying Jo Blow is the alternative prime minister, we say he is the alternate prime minister. The OED says the Americans caused the problem. I don’t often join the chorus deprecating American English but in this case I am deeply disappointed.