Anyone with a relatively decent understanding of the spelling differences between Britain and the United States will no doubt be cognizant of the usual suspects: metre vs. meter, colour vs. color etc.
But did you know that spelling variations between the two countries don't simply consist of -re vs -er, -our vs -or, and -ise vs -ize word endings? Unless you're an American or Brit who has spent a good deal of time in the other country, chances are you don't know about all 31 spelling differences listed below.
In the comments box beneath this article, let us know which words, if any, surprised you.
Did any of these spelling differences come as a surprise to you? Which of these did you already know? Let us know in the comments box below.
This article was written by Laurence Brown. Laurence is a British expat living in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a contributor for BBC America and has written for Anglotopia. He is Editor-in-chief of Lost in the Pond and loves nothing more than to share these articles with anglophiles, expats, and other interested parties on social media. Follow Lost in the Pond on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
But did you know that spelling variations between the two countries don't simply consist of -re vs -er, -our vs -or, and -ise vs -ize word endings? Unless you're an American or Brit who has spent a good deal of time in the other country, chances are you don't know about all 31 spelling differences listed below.
In the comments box beneath this article, let us know which words, if any, surprised you.
UK
|
USA
| |
1
|
annexe
|
annex
|
2
|
artefact and
artifact
|
artifact
|
3
|
axe
|
ax and axe
|
4
|
carat
|
carat and karat
|
5
|
cheque
|
check
|
6
|
chequer
|
checker
|
7
|
chilli
|
chili and chile
|
8
|
cipher and cypher
|
cipher
|
9
|
cosy
|
cozy
|
10
|
doughnut
|
doughnut and donut
|
11
|
draught beer
|
draft beer
|
12
|
gauge
|
gage and gauge
|
13
|
gauntlet
|
gauntlet and gantlet
|
14
|
glycerine
|
glycerin and glycerine
|
15
|
grey
|
gray
|
16
|
grille
|
grill and grille
|
17
|
hearken
|
harken
|
18
|
kerb
|
curb
|
19
|
liquorice
|
licorice
|
20
|
manoeuvre
|
maneuver
|
21
|
mollusc
|
mollusk and mollusc
|
22
|
mould
|
mold
|
23
|
omelette
|
omelet and omelette
|
24
|
plough
|
plow
|
25
|
primaeval
|
primeval
|
26
|
sceptic and skeptic
|
skeptic
|
27
|
smoulder
|
smolder
|
28
|
storey
|
story
|
29
|
sulphate
|
sulfate and sulphate
|
30
|
sulphur
|
sulfur and sulphur
|
31
|
tyre
|
tire
|
Did any of these spelling differences come as a surprise to you? Which of these did you already know? Let us know in the comments box below.
This article was written by Laurence Brown. Laurence is a British expat living in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a contributor for BBC America and has written for Anglotopia. He is Editor-in-chief of Lost in the Pond and loves nothing more than to share these articles with anglophiles, expats, and other interested parties on social media. Follow Lost in the Pond on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
I've seen almost all of them, except "chilli" just looks wrong (though it tastes great!). And I thought "gage" in US was a misspelling of "gauge."
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of chilli and the UK, I'd never eaten it on rice before, but my auntie made it that way for me. Tasted delicious. :)
Brits may spell doughnut 2 ways, but they don't have them except for US imports. Missing buttermilk old fashioneds!
ReplyDeleteBrits don't spell doughnut two ways, only the US does. Incidentally, I can remember learning in school that we use both spellings for grey/gray, but one is a noun and used for a person's name - Grey. The other is for the colour gray. Also, you forgot to include Realise v Realize! (among others that are similar).
ReplyDeleteIn an American English, some of these are homophones that take on different meanings based on the spelling. Karat indicates the purity of gold while carat is a unit of weight for jewels. Gantlet is a challenge one goes through to complete a goal, dating from the medieval obstacle of passing through a line (a queue?) and getting hit with sticks. Gauntlet in America is chiefly a glove, as in fencing. Gage and gauge have different meanings, too, although I only ever use gauge.
ReplyDeleteLove your site! I've caught myself binge-reading your posts.