Link of the Day: Common spelling problems

Via The Economist Style Guide: Common spelling problems.  Noteworthy from this page:

• dependant (person), dependent (adj.)
• dexterous (not “dextrous”)
• judgment
• restaurateur
• sacrilegious
• specialty (medicine), otherwise speciality
• wacky (never “whacky”)

Although an American, I am not a fan of “American” spellings. If it were up to me, we would write “colour,” “labour” and “flavour,” as well as “kilometre” and “theatre.” On the other hand, I have no idea how the British came up with “naïvety.”

Long ago I submitted a short story to several magazines. One editor wrote back that he enjoyed the piece (although he could not use it at that time), but he did not like the British spelling of certain words. The story was told in the first person, from the point-of-view of an Englishman. The point is that US editors will reflexively balk at the use of British spelling, even when it’s appropriate. My rule is to use the older spelling; and if this is unclear, use the British.

More info: Common spelling problems via The Economist Style Guide; “American and British English spelling differences” on Wikipedia.