Colour or color? Theatre or theater? Realise or realize? These spelling differences between British and American English might seem trivial, but they represent centuries of linguistic history, cultural identity, and even political rebellion. Here’s why we spell things differently—and why it actually matters.
The Man Who Changed American Spelling
Most American spelling differences can be traced to one man: Noah Webster (1758-1843). Yes, the dictionary guy. Webster wasn’t just documenting American English—he was deliberately reforming it.
Webster’s Motivations
- National identity: America had just won independence; Webster wanted a distinct American language
- Simplification: He believed spelling should be more logical and phonetic
- Democracy: Easier spelling would make literacy more accessible
- Anti-British sentiment: Let’s be honest, annoying the British was a bonus
His 1828 “American Dictionary of the English Language” established spellings that diverged from British norms.
The Major Spelling Differences
-our vs -or
| British | American |
|---|---|
| colour | color |
| favour | favor |
| honour | honor |
| behaviour | behavior |
| neighbour | neighbor |
| labour | labor |
| humour | humor |
| flavour | flavor |
Origin: The “-our” ending came from French influence on English after the Norman Conquest. Webster argued the “u” was unnecessary since we don’t pronounce it.
-re vs -er
| British | American |
|---|---|
| centre | center |
| theatre | theater |
| metre | meter |
| litre | liter |
| fibre | fiber |
| spectre | specter |
Origin: Again, French influence. Webster preferred the “-er” ending because it matched pronunciation.
-ise/-ize
| British (both acceptable) | American (only -ize) |
|---|---|
| realise/realize | realize |
| organise/organize | organize |
| recognise/recognize | recognize |
| apologise/apologize | apologize |
Complication: This one’s messier. “-ize” is actually the older English form (from Greek -izo). British English adopted “-ise” from French influence, but many British style guides (including Oxford) prefer “-ize.” However, “-ise” is now more common in British everyday usage.
-ence/-ense
| British | American |
|---|---|
| defence | defense |
| offence | offense |
| licence (noun) | license |
| pretence | pretense |
Double Letters
| British | American |
|---|---|
| travelled | traveled |
| cancelled | canceled |
| jewellery | jewelry |
| counsellor | counselor |
| marvellous | marvelous |
Other Common Differences
| British | American |
|---|---|
| grey | gray |
| draught | draft |
| plough | plow |
| cheque | check |
| programme | program |
| aluminium | aluminum |
| aeroplane | airplane |
| kerb | curb |
| tyre | tire |
| gaol (archaic) | jail |
| mum | mom |
| arse | ass |
Why Does This Matter?
1. Professional Writing
Mixing British and American spellings looks unprofessional. Pick one system and stick to it:
- British publications expect British spelling
- American publications expect American spelling
- International organisations often have house styles
2. Spell Checkers
Your computer’s spell checker is set to one variety. If it’s flagging “colour” as wrong, you’re using American English settings—not making mistakes.
3. Search Engine Optimization
For websites, spelling affects search results. A British site about “colour theory” might not rank well for American searches for “color theory.”
4. Academic Writing
Universities usually expect the spelling standard of their country. Submitting American-spelled work to a British university (or vice versa) can affect your marks.
5. Cultural Identity
Spelling signals cultural belonging. A British writer using American spellings may be seen as affected or trying too hard to reach American markets.
The Global Picture
Different countries have chosen different standards:
British Spelling
- United Kingdom
- Australia (mostly)
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- India
- Pakistan
- Most Commonwealth countries
- Ireland (mostly)
American Spelling
- United States
- Philippines
- Some Latin American English education
Mixed/Canadian
- Canada uses British spellings for some words (colour, centre) but American for others
- This drives spell checkers crazy
Is One System Better?
Arguments for American spelling:
- More phonetically consistent
- Simpler rules
- More widely used online
Arguments for British spelling:
- Preserves etymological history
- Maintains connection to word origins
- Distinguishes similar words (licence/license as noun/verb)
In truth, neither is “better”—they’re just different. Both systems work perfectly well.
The Evolving Situation
Several factors are changing the spelling landscape:
- Internet: American spellings dominate online, influencing global usage
- Software: Default spell checkers often use American English
- Media: American entertainment spreads American spellings
- Resistance: British institutions actively maintain British spellings
Practical Tips
- Know your audience: Write for where your readers are
- Be consistent: Don’t mix systems
- Set your spell checker: Make sure it matches your intended style
- Check proper nouns: “Labour Party” (UK) never becomes “Labor Party”
- Watch for hidden differences: Even words you think are the same might differ
Fun Facts
- The word “aluminum” vs “aluminium” has a different history—British scientists added the “-ium” to match other elements, while Americans kept the original
- “Jail” was actually the original English spelling; “gaol” came from Norman French and is now archaic even in Britain
- Webster wanted to go further—proposing “tung” for tongue and “wimmen” for women—but these never caught on
- British English is slowly adopting some American spellings through internet influence
Conclusion
The colour/color divide is more than a trivial difference—it represents the divergent histories of two great English-speaking nations. Noah Webster deliberately created many of these differences as an act of linguistic independence, and they’ve persisted for nearly 200 years.
Neither system is right or wrong. They’re both legitimate varieties of English with their own internal logic and history. The key is consistency: pick your system and stick with it.
And if you’re British and someone “corrects” your “colour” to “color,” feel free to explain that you’re using the original spelling—with 700 years of history behind it. That usually ends the argument rather favourably. Or should we say, favorably?
