America chose to stick more closely to the original Latin roots of words (color, labor, honor, etc) while Britain elected to use the spellings we Brits know and love.
Why do Americans spell color as color?
Color is the spelling used in the United States. Colour is used in other English-speaking countries. The word color has its roots (unsurprisingly) in the Latin word color. It entered Middle English through the Anglo-Norman colur, which was a version of the Old French colour.
When did America change the spelling of colour?
That meant removing the superfluous letters in words such as “colour,” “catalogue,” and “programme.” Webster made these spellings official with the first American dictionary, A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1806.
Why do Americans and Canadians spell colour differently?
Canadian spelling isn’t quite the same as anyone else’s. It’s no secret that we Canadians spell differently from our cousins in the United States: We put a “u” in words like “colour” and “favour”; Americans leave it out. We spell “theatre” and “centre” with an “re” at the end; they spell them with an “er”
Why did the US drop the U in colour?
The reason American English dropped the ‘u’ in words like ‘colour’ is because in modern English, there is no need for the ‘u’ anymore, British English decided to be conservative in its spelling and keep the ‘u’ to indicate how it was pronounced as.
Why do Americans say gray?
Gray and grey are both common spellings of the color between black and white. Gray is more frequent in American English, whereas grey is more common in British English. The varying usage of both grey and gray extends to specialized terms such as animal species (gray/grey whale) and scientific terms (gray/grey matter).
Is it grey or gray?
Grey and gray are two different spellings of the same word. Gray is more common in the U.S., while grey is more common in other English-speaking countries. In proper names—like Earl Grey tea and the unit Gray, among others—the spelling stays the same, and they need to be memorized.
How do Canadians spell grey?
Canadians prefer the spelling grey, although gray is also correct. Grey is the preferred spelling in Britain, while gray is favoured in the United States.
Why do British people put u in words?
A London court called the Old Bailey ruled in the 17th century that -our endings were the correct British spelling. It became commonly accepted in Britain that in cases where an English suffix or suffixes of Greek or Latin origins are attached, the u is kept. This is demonstrated in the word neighbourhood.
What countries spell it as color?
The US and Canada are the nations that spell it “color”, but even Canada officially uses British spelling, they cannot avoid the cultural influence of the US. So you’ll see “program”, “labor”, “color” there more than you would in Britain. You’ll find North American argot almost exclusively.
How do you spell sorry in Canada?
In other words, where many US speakers will pronounce “sorry” like “sari”, (i.e. in the lot Lexical Set), Canadians make the first syllable like “sore.” In fact, when Canadian actors learn that US speakers say “sorry/sari” in the same manner, they often remark “where’s the pain in that?” For us, “sorry,” the word many
Does Canada use S or Z?
Like American English, Canadian English prefers -ize endings whenever British usage allows both -ise (the Cambridge model) and -ize spellings (the Oxford model) (e.g. realize, recognize).
Why do Canadians say eh?
Using “eh” to end the statement of an opinion or an explanation is a way for the speaker to express solidarity with the listener. It’s not exactly asking for reassurance or confirmation, but it’s not far off: the speaker is basically saying, hey, we’re on the same page here, we agree on this.
Why do British add R to words?
Linguists have called this phenomenon the “linking r.” Because of the tendency to pronounce an “r” when it occurs between vowel sounds, many of these same speakers go a step more and add an “r” where it doesn’t belong, once again between two vowel sounds.
Why do the US use z instead of s?
Many American words replace the “s” used in British spelling with a “z” for words such as “realize,” “apologize” and “cozy.” Using a “z” instead of an “s” makes more sense because we pronounce these words with a “z” sound. Besides, “z” is much more fun to use than “s”!
Why do Americans use O instead of zero?
It is not only followed in America but also in Britain for a simple reason that it is easier to say “O” rather than “zero”. It also flows easily while reciting a number, “O” has a single syllable whereas “zero” has two.
What are white hair people called?
Albinism is a genetic abnormality in which little or no pigment is found in human hair, eyes, and skin. The hair is often white or pale blond.
Why do Americans have white hairs?
As people age, meanocytes slow down their production of melanin or stop working altogether, which results in a lack of pigment. Hair that lacks melanin looks white, while a mixture of pigmented and unpigmented hair results in a gray appearance.
Is hair grey or white?
We use grey to describe the colour of people’s hair when it changes from its original colour, usually as they get old (source). However, “white hair” can also be said to express the same thing: (of hair, a beard, etc.) silvery or grey, usually from age (source).
Which is correct Doughnut or donut?
Donut is an alternate spelling of doughnut. Some dictionaries point out that donut is rarely used outside the United States. All of them recognize doughnut as the main spelling, as do some of the more popular style guides.
Is it Realise or realize?
Realise and realize are two different spellings of the verb meaning “become aware” or “make real.” The spelling varies based on whether you’re writing UK or US English. In UK English, “realise” (with an “s”) is more common. In US English, “realize” (with a “z”) is the only correct spelling.