British English

BRITISH ENGLISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH The way words are spelled in America differs substantially from the Commonwealth, this is believed to originate from the War of Independence when Americans began changing things in order to be different from the British - this is also why Americans eat differently with a knife and fork. Canada, although part of the British Commonwealth, has been influenced by its American neighbor and has a kind of a pick and choose attitude with spelling, some words are spelled the American way and some the English way. The OUR versus OR difference "-our" in the Commonwealth is replaced with just "-or" in the USA. Neighbour Neighbor Colour Color Harbour Harbor Of course, Americans being what they are make exceptions to this rule: Glamour is not spelled glamor (go figure?) The ISE versus IZE difference "-ise" in the Commonwealth is replaced with "-ize" in the USA. Also "-isation" replaced with "-ization". Realise Realize Emphasise Emphasize Organisation Organization Revitalisation Revitalization Once again, Americans make exceptions to this rule: Advertise is not spelled Advertize, and Compromise is not spelled Compromize, neither is Surmise spelled Surmize, and also compensation (go figure again?) The RE versus ER difference "-re" in the Commonwealth is replaced with "-er" in the USA. Metre Meter Theatre Theater Centre Center There is a new trend in America now to "misspell" certain of these words in order to give a sense of exclusivity such as "theatre" and "centre".

The double letter versus single letter difference "-ll-" in the Commonwealth is replaced with a single"-l-" in the USA. Same with t. Travelling Traveling Travelled Traveled Targetting Targeting Panelling Paneling Revelling Reveling The "further" vs. "farther" difference Americans use the word farther when describing distance, e.g. "Let's not drive any farther today". Whereas when describing a process, the word further is used, e.g. "Let's not take this matter any further today". In the Commonwealth, only the word further is used in all instances.

The AE vs. E Certain scientific words are spelled with an "ae" in British English but only an "e" in American English

Archaeology Archeology Gynaecology Gynecology Haematology Hematology Paediatric Pediatric Anaesthesia Anesthesia The "no reason at all" differences Then there are many words that are just spelled differently for no discernible reason! Commonwealth VS. USA Aluminium Aluminum Analogue Analog Byelaw Bylaw Kerb Curb Defence Defense Doughnut Donut (started by Dunkin' Donuts) Draught Draft Grey Gray

Gaol Jail Jewellery Jewelry Judgement Judgment Licence (noun, verb is spelled license) License (both noun and verb) Manoeuvre Maneuver Mould Mold Omelette Omelet Pyjamas Pajamas Programme Program Sceptic Skeptic Speciality Specialty Tyre Tire Vice (as in the clamp) Vise