The United States of America and the United Kingdom have been intertwined since the birth of the US. With that being said, there can be some differences that are pretty weird especially with these two nations being heavily related. The food and cuisine, the measurements, and the styles are all drastically different from one another. Both countries speak English, but there are numerous differences between the pronunciation and spelling of those words. Weirdly, two countries with the same language and lots of intertwined history have their own unique way of spelling so many different words.
Once America broke off from England, many of the proper English words were changed as America was forming into its own nation. While England’s spellings were influenced by the other numerous European languages and spellings, and America’s were influenced by newspapers. Since you had to pay per letter in the newspapers, words started to be shortened. Here are a few of those differences that George Washington, himself, fought for all those years ago. You decide which spelling you prefer, and which one seems the most apt. We’ll be keeping score here and seeing if our great America was in the right or the wrong with their changes.
-or vs. -our
If you need any more proof that Brits lack self-reflection, then this may change your mind. Seriously, why do they always need to make everything about someone else? In the US, words like color are spelled with just an -or, at the end. While in England, they slap a -u, crunched in between both the -o and the -r, “colour”. Other words like, “armor” and “harbor”, turn into “armour” and “harbour”.
Originally, these words came from Latin and had the -or ending, proving America is in the right here. England’s spellings originate from the spelling in the French language. However, America’s version sounds the best for how the word actually sounds. Also, since the original forms of the word in Latin also end with an -or, America should get the win here.
America-1, England-0
-ense vs. -ence
Another example that is used heavily in sports talk (something the majority of both countries can get behind) is the difference between -ence and -ense. Words like “offense” and “defense” in England are spelled “offence” and “defence”. Other examples would be “pretense” turning into “pretence” and interestingly, “license” turning into “licence”.
I think there is one glaring fact that hurts the American spelling in this battle: the way both countries say offense is “aw-fence”. In American spelling, fence is spelled with a c, while making nearly identical sounds as offense or defense. I think it would be hard not to give England the win here.
America-1, England-1
-ize and -yze vs. -ise and-yse
The British are not very fond of the letter z. Words like “civilize” and “analyze” in England would turn into “civilise” and “analyse”. “Paralyze” and “capitalize”, are other examples that would turn into “paralyse” or “capitalise” in England.
Don’t ask me what problem Englanders have with “z” because I don’t know. Call me crazy, but the pronunciation of words like “paralyze” and “capitalize” sounds way more like a “z” than an s”. This is a blowout win in this matchup for America.
America-2, England-1
The Silent “e”
The silent “e” is a unique one, that is actually already used a little bit in the American spellings. Words like “have” and “make” employ the silent “e” in both countries. However, the Brits take it up a notch. Words like, “grill”, “program”, and “ton”, are spelled like “grille”, “programme”, and “tonne” in England. This is a tough matchup between the two. Yet, the fact that the silent “e” is already employed in both languages could give England the edge. Also, silent letters can be pretty cool, and more silent letters just mean it’s cooler.
America-2, England-2
-er vs. -re
The final tiebreaker here is the difference between the endings of -er in America, and -re in England. This example applies to words like “caliber”, “center”, “liter”, and “fiber”, etc. which in England are spelled “calibre”, “centre”, “litre”, and “fibre”.
Like in the first matchup, England’s version comes from France, but it was replaced in America once they broke away from England. This is a close one because America’s version sometimes looks like it is pronounced, “lee-tehr” instead of it being “lee-tr”. At the same time, the silent “e” again for the Brits seems like overkill. I mean, it was cool, but come on not every word needs an extra “e”.
America-3, England-2
Maybe I am biased, but I give America a close win in this contest. There are some unique differences that England has, that made it a tough contest for the US. However, I think most people would agree that the shorter, less complicated spellings and pronunciations are probably the best. Words that sound how they are spelled just sound right (except when there are cool silent letters). All in all, even though America and English both speak the same language the little intricacies and differences are fun to look at.
