11 Weirdly Spelled Words—And How They Got That Way

[Jazzy]

Why is English spelling so messed up? We get the same sounds spelled different ways (two, to, too), the same spellings pronounced different ways (chrome, machine, attach), and extra letters all over the place that don't even do anything (knee, gnu, pneumatic). There aren't always good reasons for these inconsistencies, but there are reasons. Here's a brief look at the history of English spelling told through 11 words.

Interesting list.

 

[DrLeftover]

When I'm writing.... LOTS of words are spelled oddly.



Sometimes, most of them.

 

[Evil Eye]

And then you have to go over them and fix them?

 

[DrLeftover]

My spellchecker hates me.



And at one time, I had an editor ask me what language I had learned as a kid.

 

[Evil Eye]

What did you answer?

 

[DrLeftover]

I have no idea, but I'm sure it was sarcastic.