Glad to see accommodate was accommodated. Some of the misspellings were so weird I could hardly recognise what they were meant to be - but I really enjoyed the game. Thanks!!
I don't think I've ever heard the words Annul or Lambaste, so I had no idea about those. I couldn't figure out who word Midevil was trying to get - it didn't sound at all like Medieval, so I didn't make the connection. I just missed Liaison and Vinaigrette.
"The politician lambasted the reporter's remarks that he had stolen money from his campaign funds." I've heard people say lamblasted instead, but I didn't realize it had an e on the end until I took the quiz today. At least that was easy to guess.
I looked up the word lambast, without the e is the correct spelling in Uk-english. So maybe not the best clue? (now they might start to write it the wrong way for them haha)
There is no E at the end of lambast in English English. That would make is a non-qualifier in the genre of 'Commonly misspelled words'. Perhaps sub something else in for it?
medieval is not on the quiz anymore. But I think it definitely is one that most people whose first language is not english would misspell (and maybe for native english speakers aswell. And it definitely does sound like mid-evil ...
Yes, but even the most basic knowledge of Latin roots, plus the fact that 'medieval' refers to the MIDDLE Ages, makes it very easy to guess that the word should start with medi-, even if you don't know how to spell it otherwise.
When does word spelling that evolves over time change a "wrong" spelling into an accepted one? "Shop" was wrong for decades when it was supposed to be spelt "shoppe". Has "lambast" already become a new spelling?
This is an interesting article on language reform: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English-language_spelling_reform. This article tells how Merriam-Webster decides on which new words to add to their dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/help/faq/words_in.htm
It appears that the correct spelling and pronunciation depends on which expert or dictionary you consult as there is no definitive authority.
Nowadays words are a lot more written down, so you can more easily say a word is spelled wrong. Centuries ago most people couldnt read or right, so it got spelled different everytime, and language evolved much faster.
From The Grammarist: "For the verb meaning (1) to beat or (2) to scold or berate, lambaste is the preferred spelling in American and Canadian English, while lambast is preferred in varieties of English from outside North America." So this one is a regional variant, not really an incorrect spelling.
Merriam-Webster: "Supercede has occurred as a spelling variant of supersede since the 17th century, and it is common in current published writing. It continues, however, to be widely regarded as an error." So I guess I've been spelling this one wrong. Not that it comes up very often...
It's almost as frustrating as typing "colour" into Microsoft word and seeing the red line underneath suggesting "color" as the correct spelling. We had this language first and I'm not prepared to lose it to the internet! :P
You could add words like definitely and tomorrow. I see those misspelled all the time by trying to put in "A" in there when neither have one. Also the word misspelled. :)
tamorrow, tomarrow or tomorraw?? I have never seen any of those. But definately, yes definitely. (And I am 95 % sure that that is the way I have learned it at school, because when I need to type the word my mind spells it out in syllables (and that really only happens with this word, so I think they have really been hammering it in ) de-fi-na-te-ly...
“Lambast/Lambaste: For the verb meaning (1) to beat or (2) to scold or berate, lambaste is the preferred spelling in American and Canadian English, while lambast is preferred in varieties of English from outside North America.“
So interesting correction of what I thought was the right spelling. Possibly better placed in a differences between US and UK English quiz.
The one I see frequently, is congradulations. It seems to be mostly Americans that do it, perhaps because they say it with a softer T than we Aussies....or perhaps its a new word to say to someone when they graduate! :)
As someone whose former job title included the word 'advisor', I've always understood the two variants to have subtly different meanings. That is: 'adviser' is simply anyone who offers advice, whereas 'advisor' is someone whose profession it is to provide advice. I think this is broadly a customary rather than firm distinction: advisor is considered broadly more 'formal', and thus is better applied as a job title. I'm also not sure whether the same distinction applies in North American English.
Nah, most of these happen anywhere, it is more an age and intelligence thing (and exposure, if everyone around you does it wrong and you never get to see the right versions..).
Sometimes certain spelling mistakes are regional, but usually not. (nuculair/nuclear might just be one of those ones that does get misspelled more often in america But I think that one is the exception)
Okay what's supposed to be the very obvious difference in PRONUNCIATION of marshamallow and marshmellow? Not native speaker obviously, but it doesn't seem to make a difference either way ...
Why would anyone spell it "twelth?" That doesn't even sound like the same word. I'm not making fun of people, I just don't think anyone makes this mistake, unless it's a typo.
seeing the incorrect spellings certainly messed with my head but I will continue to use supersede and lambast. Lambaste sounds like something in cookery!!!
Also supporting this campaign against non-North American spellings being represented as mistakes. The correct spelling is lambast in the UK.
Please consider choosing one of many other less contentious words instead - if only to restore the QM's normally good reputation for keeping both sides of the Atlantic happy. Thanks.
I once read in a children's book that there are many common English words that end with -cede, but only three end with -ceed (and their mnemonic is "in order to succeed, you must proceed to exceed) and one with -sede, supersede. That has stayed with me all these years.
Many have mentioned it, but I'm just going to add my voice: 'lambast' and 'lambaste' are both correct, with the latter being the North American variant, and the former being preferred elsewhere in the world. Even Merriam-Webster lists 'lambast' as a variant, which is, presumably - given there is no qualification made - acceptable in the US: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lambaste
I will of course concede that 'lambaste' does sound more delicious. I could definitely go for some basted lamb.
People have been commenting on here since 2014 about 'lambast' being a perfectly acceptable spelling outside of North America and it's still in the quiz as misspelt? Why is Quizmaster ignoring it?
It appears that the correct spelling and pronunciation depends on which expert or dictionary you consult as there is no definitive authority.
Merriam-Webster: "Supercede has occurred as a spelling variant of supersede since the 17th century, and it is common in current published writing. It continues, however, to be widely regarded as an error." So I guess I've been spelling this one wrong. Not that it comes up very often...
I was dumbstruck for a while looking at the correctly-spelled 'lambast' here...!
So interesting correction of what I thought was the right spelling. Possibly better placed in a differences between US and UK English quiz.
Apparently both are correct, I just llooked it up. I am really curious why you dó get a red line..
I advise you to take my advice... That one is pretty confusing.. and easy to trip up on.
Sometimes certain spelling mistakes are regional, but usually not. (nuculair/nuclear might just be one of those ones that does get misspelled more often in america But I think that one is the exception)
Please consider choosing one of many other less contentious words instead - if only to restore the QM's normally good reputation for keeping both sides of the Atlantic happy. Thanks.
at least know I know how to spell them correctly
I will of course concede that 'lambaste' does sound more delicious. I could definitely go for some basted lamb.