The Foibles of EnglishBy Dan Wilcox

Spelling Madders

“The English language has the worst system of spelling of any major language.”

—Robert C. Pinckert, Ph.D.

Spelling Madders

“Denise” means “goddess of wine.”

Spelling Madders

“Denise” means “goddess of whine.”

Spelling Madders

“Denise” means “goddess of whine.”

He took her for granite.

Spelling Madders

“Denise” means “goddess of whine.”

He took her for granite.

Let’s have a mouthful for desert.

Spelling Madders

Should Tom Wright decide to write right rite,

then Wright would write right rite, which Wright has the right

to copyright.

Spelling (Almost Always) Madders

Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr

the ltteers in a wrod are, olny taht the frist and lsat ltteres

are at the rghit pcleas. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by ilstef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Regional Differences

• Utahnics

• Pennsylvania Dutch

• “Suthern”

Regional Differences

• Utahnics

LaVerl: "Djeet yet?“

LaVell: "No, djew?“

LaVerl: “LSqueet!"

Regional Differences

• Pennsylvania Dutch

Lost: A watch by a lady with a cracked face.

Throw the baby out the window a kiss.

Toss Papa down the stairs his hat.

Regional Differences

• “Suthern”

Rufus: M R Ducks.

Cletus: M R Not.

Rufus: O S A R. C M Wangs?

Cletus: L I B. M R Ducks!

Context in Headlines

Deaf Mute Gets New Hearing in Killing

Context in Headlines

Deaf Mute Gets New Hearing in Killing

Police Begin Campaign To Run Down Jaywalkers

Context in Headlines

Deaf Mute Gets New Hearing in Killing

Police Begin Campaign To Run Down Jaywalkers

Queen Mary Having Bottom Scraped