Perfectly Fine American Words … RUINED by British U’s

Summary

The author humorously criticizes the British use of extra 'u's in words, which they find unnecessary and cumbersome, particularly in medical terms.

Abstract

The article titled "Perfectly Fine American Words … RUINED by British U’s" expresses the author's frustration with the British spelling of words that include an extra 'u', such as 'humoured' and 'favourite'. The author, with a background in medicine, points out the inconvenience of these spellings in the medical field, where terms like 'haemorrhaging' and 'dyspnoeic' are already challenging to pronounce and spell. They argue that these additional letters add no value and only complicate communication, especially for patients in distress. The author also touches on the futility of debating this issue with British colleagues and humorously resolves to enjoy a 'litre' of beer and a 'mouvie' instead. The article concludes with a playful challenge to others, including Gaurav Jain, Sally Prag, and Uvebruce, to weigh in on the matter.

Opinions

The author is not amused by the British inclusion of 'u' in words like 'humoured' and 'favourite'.
They believe that the extra 'u's in medical terms complicate communication, particularly for patients experiencing distress, such as those with 'dyspnoea'.
The author has had unsuccessful discussions with British colleagues about the spelling of words like 'colour' and 'flavour'.
They find the British insistence on these spellings irritating and unnecessary.
The author humorously suggests indulging in British-spelled activities like going to the 'theatre' and drinking a 'litre' of beer as a response to the spelling debate.
There is a mention of the incorrect use of 's' instead of 'z' in words like 'courze', indicating a lack of awareness among those who use the extra 'u'.
The author expects a response or 'froum' from specific individuals on this subject, implying a desire for further discussion or debate.

First a bit of history.

I grew up in a field (yeah, based on your behaviour it would seem that way) where diphthongs were a thing.

Everywhere I looked in med school and beyond, and especially in the bloody field I chose, there were people haemorrhaging when they should have simply been hemorrhaging.

Some became severely anaemic as a result.

This was particularly common with gynaecology patients.

In case you didn’t know, gynaecologists only care for three types of patients: either they’re pregnant or they’re not, either they’re in pain or they’re (transiently) pain-free, or they’re bleeding, AKA haemorrhaging or they’re (transiently) not haemorrhaging.

But, as doctors are fond of saying “all bleeding stops”.

Moving on (That’s some pretty aberrant behaviour there Dr. Burg! Yes I know, I’m no longer in practice and can say and do as I please.)

The medicine wards are filled with patients complaining of dyspnoea but too short of breath to be cruelly forced — by the British — to throw extra letters into words they can barely gasp out under the best of circumstances. It would be far easier for them to simply say “doctor I’m dyspneic”. Instead, they’re forced — by the damned British — to wheeze out an extra “o” in the midst of their suffering and struggle through the word “dyspnoeic” which even I can’t pronounce and I’m not suffering from dyspnoea.

In case you’re wondering, there’s nothing funny about paediatrics, so I’m leaving that out of the discussion.

Then of course there’s the unfunny matter of the extra “u’s” in words like humorous, which is decidedly not humourous.

I’ve laboured with my British neighbours about the spelling of words like colour and flavour but they insist they’re right about the unnecessary, unneeded and just plain irritating extra “u’s” so I’ve given up trying.

Rather than waste every fibre of my being on their useless hides, I’ve resolved to drain a litre of beer and head to the theatre in the town centre and enjoy a mouvie.

Many of these same extra “u” users also don’t realise that a “z” belongs in that word. In place of the “s” of courze. Just saying.

Isn’t there someone who’s authorised to alert them to this fact?

Gaurav Jain Sally Prag and Uvebruce I expect to hear froum all of youu on this subject.

HUMOUR? NO!

Perfectly Fine American Words … RUINED by British U’s

Diphthong this you silly English person

First a bit of history.

Then of course there’s the unfunny matter of the extra “u’s” in words like humorous, which is decidedly not humourous.