>>718925595
The "ou" spelling in British English, as seen in words like "humour," is a common spelling difference compared to American English, which uses "o" (e.g., "humor").
Here's a breakdown of the rules and historical context:
The General Rule In British English, many words that end in an unstressed sound spelled "our" in British English end in "or" in American English. This is one of the most well-known and consistent spelling differences between the two dialects.
Common Examples:
British English:colour, flavour, favour, honour, labour, neighbour, rumour, splendour
American English:color, flavor, favor, honor, labor, neighbor, rumor, splendor
Historical Origins:The difference can be traced back to the standardization of English spelling in the 18th and 19th centuries.
British English:British spelling often retained the original spellings of words borrowed from other languages, particularly French. The "-our" spelling, for instance, comes from Old French.
American English:Noah Webster, the famous lexicographer, sought to simplify American English spelling to make it more phonetic and distinct from British English. His 1828 dictionary popularized the "-or" spellings, among other changes.
Derivatives and Related Words:
The "u" is typically kept in British English derivatives. For example, "humour" becomes "humourless" and "humourist."
However, there are exceptions. The adjective "humorous" is spelled without the "u" in both British and American English. Similarly, words like "honorary" and "laborious" don't include the "u" in British English, even though the root words are "honour" and "labour."
