The Current Why isn’t ‘enough’ spelled ‘enuf’? The absurdity of English spelling
Apr 17, 2025
Gabe Henry, author of 'Enough is Enough,' dives into the wacky world of English spelling struggles and reform attempts. He discusses why words like 'doubt' trip us up with silent letters and the absurdity of using numbers to represent letters. Exploring historical movements for simpler spelling, Henry reveals connections to social causes like abolition. He also highlights how digital communication is reshaping our language norms, challenging whether traditional spelling rules can keep up with a world of evolving expression.
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English Spelling Absurdity
- English spelling is absurd due to inconsistent pronunciation and letter usage.
- This inconsistency has inspired centuries of failed efforts to reform spelling.
Historical Roots of Spelling Variance
- 'Laughter' and 'daughter' once sounded the same but diverged due to historical influences.
- English evolved from many languages causing varying pronunciations of similarly spelled words.
Personal Spelling Struggles
- Gabe Henry recalls struggling with spelling "acquiesce" as a child.
- He often quizzes others on tricky words like "fuchsia" to highlight English spelling challenges.