"Cancelled" or "Canceled?"
(I say two els). I've always used cancelled.  I always put "define cancelled" (or whatever word) into google when I'm in doubt. It will correct the spelling and come up with the definition. 'cancelled' and 'canceled' came up with different definitions. "Cancelled" being "We cancelled the wedding." "canceled" came up with this: # KC made decision to stop processing and composition canceled from system. Refund or billing may be necessary. # A plate or stone that was defaced after the edition to ensure that no reprinting would be possible. Sometimes the canceled prints are marketed, as with Picasso or Degas, or the marks are removed and the prints sold as if pre-cancellation. |
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| I am a professional proofreader and I prefer canceled (1 'l'), but either way is technically correct. I checked my handy dictionary and it usually lists the preferred or most common way of spelling first, and my dictionary has canceled listed before cancelled.
Same goes for traveled/travelled. |
Wouldn't canceled be listed before cancelled in the dictionary because it's in alphabetical order?!?  |
| would it be because cancelled is English spelling and canceled is US spelling ? |
Sheepie Heaven wrote: Wouldn't canceled be listed before cancelled in the dictionary because it's in alphabetical order?!?
No, because it is listed in the dictionary as 'Cancel' as the word in alphabetical order and then inside the entry it has -led and -lled as variants of the original word. And yes, Canceled is American English and Cancelled is British or Canadian English. |
I knew Steph would know the answer to this one!  |
| I am the world's worst speller, but I know this one: Cancelled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No bout adoubt it! (Accountant here, I deal with cancelled checks, cancelled service contracts, cancelled warranties all day!!!!!) |
You Americans spell funny 
Like here we spell Mum this way over there it is Mom that way, heck computer spell check is in a foriegn language here, American version, darn microsoft.   |
| Haha. I agree.
I'd never seen it spelled "canceled" before. Weird spelling. British/Canadian American doughnut donut cheque check colour color flavour flavor(?) Need I go on? Spell check was a foreign language for me too. Lisaoes - with newer versions of Microsoft you can select your language preference to be Canadian English - maybe you can select Aussie English? |
| I think Aussie english and Canadian english would be the same, both from British english since both Canada and Australia are Commonwealth countries and the United States is not. |
| I'll pretend I'm British and spell it "cancelled." One el just looks wrong! |
| I've always spelled it cancelled. |
| I spell it with two because with only one it seems like it should be pronounced: can-sealed.
Why don't us Americans know our own language? |
| Totally off the subject. Mandy, is that Suzi in your avatar? I love the facial expression! |
Maxmm wrote: Why don't us Americans know our own language? Like George Carlin used to say: "There are 600,000 words in the English language..."
I think there are really over a million if you include slightly technical jargon. |
Paula O. wrote: Totally off the subject. Mandy, is that Suzi in your avatar? I love the facial expression! Nope, that's Toby. I have no idea why he felt so pleased with himself on that day. I think it was the bath and blow dry. That pic was taken just after this one:  I think he finds himself very humorous!! Back to the original subject, did I spell humorous right? |
| Hello
As previously mentioned canceled is the US version and cancelled is the British (and assuming the rest of the world where english is spoken) version. That bugs me, I am an American and I find it offensive to use only one "L", it goes against correct grammar (Yes, I am sure you will find my grammar is not perfect either, but that is not the point - at least I admit it). According to grade school grammar there are supposed to be 2 of the "L"s to keep the pronounciation of the word "cancel" the same, otherwise using only one "L" will make the last "E" in the word "cancel" a long "E" like the ee sound in feet. This is because the "E" in the "-ED" that is added only 1consonant awayfrom it, and again as grade school grammar taught us, when two vowels are seperated by only 1 consonant and the last of the two are a strong vowel (like "e") that will make the first vowel long. So, technically, when it is written "canceled" it should be pronounced "can-seel-d". This is why the English rule is to double the last consonant, to keep that last "E" (or any last vowel) short, which would maintain the correct pronounciation of the word. Or is it we do not remember how to read, write, or learn anything productive? I have no idea where "canceled" came from or when we started using it, that is definately not what I was taught in school. Probably someone got into trouble for using one "L" and filed a lawsuite, and won because the judge didn't care or something along thoose lines... lol, sad but probably true. |
patdman wrote: I have no idea where "canceled" came from or when we started using it, that is definately not what I was taught in school. Probably someone got into trouble for using one "L" and filed a lawsuite, and won because the judge didn't care or something along thoose lines... lol, sad but probably true.
Maybe it came from where definitely and lawsuit went in your post.  |
patdman wrote: or something along thoose lines...
Those were good points, lol. I read a lot as a child, and most of the material my mother had was from Germany or England, so I grew up with English English (not sure how to say that, lol). My mom always called it the Queen's English. Well, I remember in school I was actually marked wrong for spelling certain words the English way, such as behaviour, colour, grey vs. gray, centre, metre, etc... I never understood how the teacher could mark my answers as wrong (unless it was a spelling test and I knew the exact spelling they were looking for). When I asked her about it, she replied, you're American, so I expect you to use the American language. The next paper I handed in really upset her. She brought it to me and demanded in a very frustrated tone, "What is this gibberish on your paper?" and I told her, "Oh, it's American... Lakota to be exact. My mother is half Sioux." Needless to say I got an "F", but it was worth it. |
| You guys can be mean... lol |
| The only time I expect perfect spelling and grammar is when making a correction about incorrect spelling or grammar. |
ButtersStotch wrote: The only time I expect perfect spelling and grammar is when making a correction about incorrect spelling or grammar.
Me too! Otherwise, I welcome any and all mistakes! (It keeps me off the streets...) |
Shall we start the check vs cheque debate?
 |
| Don't you hate when you look at a word for too long and it doesn't look right anymore? Or you repeat it so many times that it doesn't even sound right anymore? Or am I just a complete freak? Well I know I am a complete freak, but still...... |
IheartStella wrote: I read a lot as a child, and most of the material my mother had was from Germany or England, so I grew up with English English (not sure how to say that, lol). My mom always called it the Queen's English. Well, I remember in school I was actually marked wrong for spelling certain words the English way, such as behaviour, colour, grey vs. gray, centre, metre, etc... I never understood how the teacher could mark my answers as wrong (unless it was a spelling test and I knew the exact spelling they were looking for). When I asked her about it, she replied, you're American, so I expect you to use the American language. The next paper I handed in really upset her. She brought it to me and demanded in a very frustrated tone, "What is this gibberish on your paper?" and I told her, "Oh, it's American... Lakota to be exact. My mother is half Sioux." Needless to say I got an "F", but it was worth it. I love this story! You are my new hero! I grew up with a British Mom, and a Native Dad, so I very much relate |
| How come you pay the cheque with a check at a restaurant?
Or is it that you pay the check with a cheque? |
ravenmoonart wrote: IheartStella wrote: I read a lot as a child, and most of the material my mother had was from Germany or England, so I grew up with English English (not sure how to say that, lol). My mom always called it the Queen's English. Well, I remember in school I was actually marked wrong for spelling certain words the English way, such as behaviour, colour, grey vs. gray, centre, metre, etc... I never understood how the teacher could mark my answers as wrong (unless it was a spelling test and I knew the exact spelling they were looking for). When I asked her about it, she replied, you're American, so I expect you to use the American language. The next paper I handed in really upset her. She brought it to me and demanded in a very frustrated tone, "What is this gibberish on your paper?" and I told her, "Oh, it's American... Lakota to be exact. My mother is half Sioux." Needless to say I got an "F", but it was worth it. I love this story! You are my new hero! I grew up with a British Mom, and a Native Dad, so I very much relate LOL... I'm glad you liked it I was a bit of a difficult child at times, but I turned out OK in the long run, and I'm getting it back in spades with my 3 little monsters. |
| We have our own unique words and spelling here too. Even though we speak english, we have our slang of the language.
Link for the Aussie Dictionary a short version of some of the words, spelling and meanings. http://www.australiatravelsearch.com.au/trc/slang.html You guys still spell some words very unusual  |
lisaoes wrote: You guys still spell some words very unusual
You only think that because you say them wrong. |
| This post does make me laugh - I work for an American company and of course everything has to be American English, fine by me, but I always write back in English English. I know Kim and I have had giggles in "chat" how we all say different words.
you say, we say Diapers - nappies Check - cheuque Center - centre Sneakers - trainers There are a few more that are innocent words to you, but say them here and it could be taken completely the wrong way, I don't have to say anymore lol lol |
| I used to have a friend from London. We were talking on the phone one day and he told me he went out with friends the night before and really got "pissed". Oh dear! I asked why he was pissed (angry) and he said because they were out partying and they all got pissed (drunk). We went back and forth, each of us getting more confused by the minute, until we realized we were speaking different Englishes! |
| LOl yes I can see how you got the wrong end of the stick. I remember a colleague of mine saying to her American colleague, oh I'm just popping out for a fag (cigarette) she looked at him as if to say, are you kidding me !!!! I had to explain to her what he was doing. i know what fag means in America lol The Will in Will & Grace right lol |
lisaoes wrote: We have our own unique words and spelling here too. Even though we speak english, we have our slang of the language.
Link for the Aussie Dictionary a short version of some of the words, spelling and meanings. http://www.australiatravelsearch.com.au/trc/slang.html You guys still spell some words very unusual Lisa -There's one I've heard that I didn't see in this list. Not sure how to spell it, so I'll just try it phoentically - ridgy didge - what does it mean?
Kayla - I'll never forget the shocked expression on an English friend's face when I commented that a mutual friend of ours was "full of spunk". I had no idea at the time what that was slang for in England. 
I Heart Stella - that was a great story. |
| Ha ha yes I'm not surprised lol But I'm sure Lisa will confirm this, the Aussies say "he's got spunk" the same way you guys do ha ha that made me laugh. |
| Lots of those Aussie words/expressions are used here and we spell the same hard way the English do |
| If something is Ridgey Didge it just means it is authentic, the real thing.
This was only a short version of some of our words they have not even listed my favourite CRIKEYS, meaning OH NO!!
Kayla same meaning as in america Spunk can also mean good looking here too, Spunky Bloke or Spunky Chick or what a Spunk. |
| Lisa, I love Kath & Kim, its one of my fav shows, especially when she says Kel ya great big hunk of spunk, I laugh myself stupid lol Look a mee Kimmmmeeee lol
I can't believe where this thread had lead too ! |
| Note to self:....Never post before Barney....proofreader..egads! Both myself and Ginny suffer from this darn typing virus that invades our computer...right Ginny? (pokes Ginny's ribs and winks).
On another note..sneakers.....we Canadians say runners. I also learned never to say I'm rooting for a team across the pond which has another meaning altogether.
Marianne |
lisaoes wrote: If something is Ridgey Didge it just means it is authentic, the real thing.
This was only a short version of some of our words they have not even listed my favourite CRIKEYS, meaning OH NO!! Kayla same meaning as in america Spunk can also mean good looking here too, Spunky Bloke or Spunky Chick or what a Spunk. Ahhh...so, it's kind of the same thing as Fair Dinkum? |
| ya great flaming galah (in Aussie language, means you wally, or you idiot) Lisa, sorry if I spelt that wrong and I love struth (oh for gods sake !)
Marianne - tell me what you mean, cause I can't guess it ? |
| HUH? |
| Someone once told me that when you say "rooting" for a team elsewhere it doesn't mean cheering them on , rather umm cough cough...providing favors..of a sexual nature. Were they wrong? Does it mean I no longer have to avoid that word?
Whew! Marianne |
Marianne, you are safe rooting here doesn't mean anything naughty or rude, you can breathe a sigh of relief  |
Beaureguard's Mom wrote: Ahhh...so, it's kind of the same thing as Fair Dinkum?
Not really Fair Dinkum means the real thing as in is it the truth. Or questioning someone, "Are you Fair dinkum", "Fair Dinkum Mate" "This is fairdinkum" - in others words "Are you really sure, telling the truth", "Really friend" , "this is for real" an expression. Ridgey Didge means original, authentic the real thing, as in an object, something great.  Like "Ridgey Didge car", " along those lines.
Kayla it is "Strewth" Kath and Kim just started back again the new series, it's hillarious, the family go to Queensland on holiday there and Kel is in his Budgie Snugglers. Kath says looks more like a parrot pocket, Oooooh Kel, veeeery nice . You will understand what I am talking about when the new series hits over there.
Marianne, means the same here so carefull with that word especially if you ever visit here. We call it barracking for a team not rooting for a team, WOW go girl go. |
| LOL Okay must have been an Aussie friend that told me to becareful when using that word.
You just remind me Lisa should I ever come to visit you..or I'll be a popular gal at sporting events. LOL! 
Marianne |
| Here's my grammar that says it's "canceled"
If the stress of the word is on the second syllable, double the final consanant. In "cancel" the stress is on the first syllable. Voila. do not double the second consanant!! |
Paula O. wrote: I'll pretend I'm British and spell it "cancelled." One el just looks wrong!
I so agree- says the American who uses colour, cousine etc (thank god for spell check) I always blame it on reading too many english novels and learning french in second grade! |
kerry wrote: Paula O. wrote: I'll pretend I'm British and spell it "cancelled." One el just looks wrong! I so agree- says the American who uses colour, cousine etc (thank god for spell check) I always blame it on reading too many english novels and learning french in second grade! Well, I learned English as a second language in Norway, so British spelling, and then spent how many years in college/grad school in the US divesting myself of the "extra" "l"s and "u"s and so on. I will say the Americans are much more tolerant of multiple spellings than some
Kristine |
| Supposedly back in the day of the revolution, it was a sign of education to be able to spell words in more than one way.
Hence, "Plimoth Plantation" is in Plymouth, MA.
Or that's the rumor, anyway. |
Ron wrote: Supposedly back in the day of the revolution, it was a sign of education to be able to spell words in more than one way.
Hence, "Plimoth Plantation" is in Plymouth, MA. Or that's the rumor, anyway. Started by the person who spelled the Plantations name wrong
My sister spelt bith her kids names wrong on their birth certificates - she quickle came up with an explanation about how it was an old russian/french (depending on the name) spelling LOL |
| A friend just e-mailed the following to me. Sorry - don't know the source, but thought it sort of fit the topic.
The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English". In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in t he sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter. In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where! more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away. By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v". During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru. Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.
Kristine |
| Good one!
Seeing German is the only foreign language I have ever studied, I may be in luck! |
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| Funny. |
| FInally a use for that college german ! |
| Canceled is American English whereas cancelled is British spelling. |
| Hmm, maybe I am British!
I have always spelled it cancelled.
Brill! |
| Strangely enough, as an English teacher, I always use canceled but I DO use British spellings for most everything else: grey, flavour, etc.!
Lally |
| Well i cant spell to save my life.. Me and mum the same.. Punctuation rubbish too But my brothers are great spellers. Always been a running joke in the family The comments on this page are full, but are continued here: "Cancelled" or "Canceled"-Continued |
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