Spelling with a Z instead of an S
23 November 2006, 09:44 AM
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Spelling with a Z instead of an S
Frustrated rant here.
When I was educated (not that long ago!) the following words were spelt:
Authorise
Apologise
Recognise
Why is it that all of a sudden they are now spelt with a Z (i.e. authorize, apologize, recongnize)??? In fact, the Oxford English dictionary confirms the Z and doesn't even give S and an alternative.
WTF is going on - do I get my parents to demand a refund of my school fees or has somthing changed over the last 15-20 years and I just didn't pick it up?
When I was educated (not that long ago!) the following words were spelt:
Authorise
Apologise
Recognise
Why is it that all of a sudden they are now spelt with a Z (i.e. authorize, apologize, recongnize)??? In fact, the Oxford English dictionary confirms the Z and doesn't even give S and an alternative.
WTF is going on - do I get my parents to demand a refund of my school fees or has somthing changed over the last 15-20 years and I just didn't pick it up?
23 November 2006, 09:49 AM
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Hello
Where is it spelt with a 'z'? All the dictionaries I see have the proper 's' spelling. Even Dictionary.com has that listed.
Steve
Where is it spelt with a 'z'? All the dictionaries I see have the proper 's' spelling. Even Dictionary.com has that listed.
Steve
23 November 2006, 09:54 AM
#7
I believe standardisation and standardization are both ok in the OED as are organisation and organization... please feel free to correct (and educate) me if I'm wrong 
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23 November 2006, 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by boxst
Hello
Where is it spelt with a 'z'? All the dictionaries I see have the proper 's' spelling. Even Dictionary.com has that listed.
Steve
Where is it spelt with a 'z'? All the dictionaries I see have the proper 's' spelling. Even Dictionary.com has that listed.
Steve
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23 November 2006, 10:04 AM
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Talking of Americanisms, what is it with people saying "can I get" instead of "could I have" in shops these days? Adults should not be speaking like American teens.
23 November 2006, 10:31 AM
#11
I know it sounds unpatriotic, but we shouldn't forget that if it wasn't for the Americans speaking "English" that English would not be the important world language it still is today.
For me it isn't a big deal if they "barstewardize" it a little.
For me it isn't a big deal if they "barstewardize" it a little.
23 November 2006, 10:43 AM
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Long shot, but can someone help me in changing my damn ms office spell checker from US 'english' to the correct English setting...it wants me to spell everything with z's otherwise I get red lines everywhere!
23 November 2006, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by cottonfoo
Talking of Americanisms, what is it with people saying "can I get" instead of "could I have" in shops these days? Adults should not be speaking like American teens.
Dave
23 November 2006, 11:20 AM
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LOL at you ignorant lot.
The OED preferred spelling is with a z for most words ending in -ize. Always has been. Fowler's "Modern English Usage" (published 1926) says the only reason people use -ise all the time is because they're lazy, and can't remember which words are the exception to the -ize rule (e.g. advise, televise)
The OED preferred spelling is with a z for most words ending in -ize. Always has been. Fowler's "Modern English Usage" (published 1926) says the only reason people use -ise all the time is because they're lazy, and can't remember which words are the exception to the -ize rule (e.g. advise, televise)
23 November 2006, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Suresh
I know it sounds unpatriotic, but we shouldn't forget that if it wasn't for the Americans speaking "English" that English would not be the important world language it still is today.
For me it isn't a big deal if they "barstewardize" it a little.
For me it isn't a big deal if they "barstewardize" it a little.
We owe nothing to those inbred, illiterate war mongers.
Geezer
23 November 2006, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by TelBoy
Is this the Happy Thanksgiving Day thread? 
And just for you ...
Steve
keep them coming guys..
23 November 2006, 04:45 PM
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Sorry to get back on topic.
My understanding is that z is the 'Olde Englishe' spelling that the Plymouth Fathers took to the States. It is English *******isation that has changed it to an S over the past two hundred years.
Rannoch
My understanding is that z is the 'Olde Englishe' spelling that the Plymouth Fathers took to the States. It is English *******isation that has changed it to an S over the past two hundred years.
Rannoch
23 November 2006, 04:48 PM
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I bought an English Dictionary in the summer, from Waterstones on The Strand, for my wife. Get it home, and sure enough it is full of Z's where S's used to be!
I think that is disgusting and I will never, ever use a Z unless it is grammatically correct!
I think that is disgusting and I will never, ever use a Z unless it is grammatically correct!
23 November 2006, 04:53 PM
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Wikipedia has some interesting info, although it can't be considered definitive, American and British English spelling differences - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and Oxford spelling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
23 November 2006, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Wikipedia
Therefore, many people incorrectly regard -ize as an Americanism, although the form -ize has been in use in English since the 16th century.
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