Article today on Quartz that explains a bit…
http://qz.com/596395/the-case-of-the-mi ... n-english/
Brit and American spelling
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: Brit and American spelling
I've read this type of article before, but it always helps to have a reminder. Thanks.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
Re: Brit and American spelling
We Brits are not consistent in this matter. Our usual spelling is -our, but we have some exceptions, e.g. horror, terror, error, pallor, stupor, torpor, languor.
And I believe that Americans write glamour.
And I believe that Americans write glamour.
Re: Brit and American spelling
I'd like to extend this inquiry into the use of "or" in British and American spelling.
I note that at least some words spelled "-our" in British English become "or" when the "ous" suffix is attached. For example "humour - humorous." (Note the American punctuation.) What happened to the "u"? Doesn't that subtly suggest the "u" wasn't needed in the first place?
I am aware of one counter example: Although "glamorous" is acceptable, "glamourous" is preferred according to my Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. (NB. Maybe the dictionary is out of date; my spell checker disagrees.)
Is anyone aware of spelling rule that addresses this question?
I note that at least some words spelled "-our" in British English become "or" when the "ous" suffix is attached. For example "humour - humorous." (Note the American punctuation.) What happened to the "u"? Doesn't that subtly suggest the "u" wasn't needed in the first place?
I am aware of one counter example: Although "glamorous" is acceptable, "glamourous" is preferred according to my Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. (NB. Maybe the dictionary is out of date; my spell checker disagrees.)
Is anyone aware of spelling rule that addresses this question?
Re: Brit and American spelling
They often become "or" when a suffix is attached, e.g:I note that at least some words spelled "-our" in British English become "or" when the "ous" suffix is attached. For example "humour - humorous."
colour > coloration
vapour > vaporise/vaporize
honour > honorific
labour > laborious
But sometimes the "u" is retained, e.g.
colour > colourful
honour > honourable
favour > favourite, favouritism
"Glamorous" seems to be by far the more common spelling, in both British and American English. I always spell it that way.I am aware of one counter example: Although "glamorous" is acceptable, "glamourous" is preferred according to my Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. (NB. Maybe the dictionary is out of date; my spell checker disagrees.)
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: Brit and American spelling
I don't use the word much, but I think I would write glamor. Maybe not. Glamour also looks ok.
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