Monday, July 04, 2005

 

What is a Skeptic and How is it Spelled?


According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a skeptic is someone who has "an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object". The Oxford Dictionary says that it is someone who is "inclined to doubt accepted opinions; critical; incredulous."

Americans spell it skeptic, while the rest of the English speaking world prefers sceptic. This use of k rather than c extends to the adjectival form: skeptical, the adverbal form: skeptically, and the abstract noun skepticism. Both forms of spelling are perfectly acceptable and do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

However, please don't hesitate to exercise sceptism as you enjoy my column. On the other hand, you had better be ready to back up your outrageous claims about the correct usage of language before you tangle with me.

(Of course, if you spot an error in my writing - I will be the first to eat a most generous portion of humble pie).

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