The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Thank you for being a part of the Cancer Survivor Network community. Survivors and caregivers like you have played a unique role in fostering an online environment that encourages connection among those needing support, community, and education. On May 28, the Network will be discontinued. More details are available here . If you have any questions, contact CSNSupportTeam@cancer.org. Thanks again for the support you’ve provided each other over the years. We remain committed to supporting you in other ways throughout your cancer journey.

Tumor or Tumour......either or....

2»

Comments

  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch CSN Member Posts: 1,375 Member
    #22
    PGLGreg said:

    tumour
    Once upon a time, English [u] was diphthongized to become [yu], and subsequently a long [o] was raised to become [u] (replacing the original [u]). The spelling convention using "ou" for [u] and "u" for [yu] is, I think, influenced by French spelling. But after "t/d/n" in American English, the [y] of [yu] was lost, leaving just the [u]. Thus "due" is [dyu] in British English, from earlier [du], but [du] in American English, also from earlier [du], but then [dyu], and subsequently [du] (by loss of [y] after t/d/n).

    In the second, unstressed, syllable of "tumour", I don't see how the spelling difference "ou" British vs. "o" American can ever have had any connection with the pronunciation. I guess the vowel in Latin was long o, which, if it were stressed, in English would have been raised to [u], and then should be spelled "ou". But since it actually is not stressed, it would not have been raised to [u], so the "ou" spelling doesn't make any sense, so far as I can see. It's just some weird analogy.

    --Greg

    Hmmm...
    After all of that explanation, Greg.... I can answer your question for you :)

    The "ou" spelling doesn't make any sense as far as you can see because.... well, you are American :) 'Nuff said :)

    Cheryl
    Like Care
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch CSN Member Posts: 1,375 Member
    #23
    Buckwirth said:

    Spell Check
    Usually there is a setting where you can choose American English or British English. That would fix the Canuck spelling issues.

    :)

    ROTFL! Buck!
    It's true.... anyone can go into their Spellcheck and choose American English or British English :) Now... if all you 'Mericans would change to British English, you'd finally be speaking and spelling properly :)

    Cheryl
    Like Care
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth CSN Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #24
    CherylHutch said:

    ROTFL! Buck!
    It's true.... anyone can go into their Spellcheck and choose American English or British English :) Now... if all you 'Mericans would change to British English, you'd finally be speaking and spelling properly :)

    Cheryl

    Aluminium
    Aluminum

    Always one of my personal favs
    Like Care
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard CSN Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #25
    CherylHutch said:

    Hmmm...
    After all of that explanation, Greg.... I can answer your question for you :)

    The "ou" spelling doesn't make any sense as far as you can see because.... well, you are American :) 'Nuff said :)

    Cheryl

    lol......
    one for Cheryl..........
    Like Care

Discussion Boards