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AIBU?

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Original poster

How to spell? Help needed .

45 replies

maratara · 12/08/2023 08:06

HI
My youngest is about to go into a regional spelling challenge and we can't decide if it is mesmerise or mesmerize?
HELP PLEASE

OP posts:
KajsaKavat · 12/08/2023 08:07

S the z spelling is American. Maybe both are acceptable but I would go with mesmerise

Onceuponaheartache · 12/08/2023 08:07

If you are UK it is an S

nomysundaybest · 12/08/2023 08:08

mesmerize

I love Google for a spell check 🤣🤣🤣

SocksAndTheCity · 12/08/2023 08:08

Mesmerise. Unless you're in the US, where replacing 's' with 'z' is popular.

painochocolate · 12/08/2023 08:08

What country are you in

melj1213 · 12/08/2023 08:11

YABU

Why would you post on MN instead of, oh idk, googling the correct spelling?

Kilopascal · 12/08/2023 08:11

Both are acceptable. -ise is less likely to annoy the British.

Just don't put a z in analyse or catalyse (or comprise, or surmise, or quite a few others).

NoSquirrels · 12/08/2023 08:14

Kilopascal · 12/08/2023 08:11

Both are acceptable. -ise is less likely to annoy the British.

Just don't put a z in analyse or catalyse (or comprise, or surmise, or quite a few others).

This is correct.

Most British people do t know that -ize spellings are actually not ‘American’ but an older form of British spelling.

Ask the organisers if they’re using -ise or -ize spellings.

Original poster
maratara · 12/08/2023 08:14

melj1213 · 12/08/2023 08:11

YABU

Why would you post on MN instead of, oh idk, googling the correct spelling?

We did . But it was 50/50!

OP posts:
Original poster
maratara · 12/08/2023 08:16

painochocolate · 12/08/2023 08:08

What country are you in

Australia
It seems to be a mishmash of American and English ( with regards to s and z) and the z seems to be more old English. No idea . And No google is not your friend here.

OP posts:
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 12/08/2023 08:17

Most British people do t know that -ize spellings are actually not ‘American’ but an older form of British spelling.

But they are American now, and not current British!

painochocolate · 12/08/2023 08:17

maratara · 12/08/2023 08:16

Australia
It seems to be a mishmash of American and English ( with regards to s and z) and the z seems to be more old English. No idea . And No google is not your friend here.

Show quote history

Gosh no idea then! Sorry

AliTheMinx · 12/08/2023 08:17

Mesmerise

Totaly · 12/08/2023 08:18

I think you’d be fine with either

painochocolate · 12/08/2023 08:18

Ooh actually I have a Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow and it is called "eyes to mesmerise" but then I think its British.

shockthemonkey · 12/08/2023 08:23

« Just don't put a z in analyse or catalyse (or comprise, or surmise, or quite a few others). »

Not so sure about analyse, @Kilopascal … the z version is listed as a perfectly acceptable variant used in the US

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 12/08/2023 08:27

The OED still favours (favors? 🤣) 'ize' endings.
In reality either should be acceptable, but as a pp suggested you might want to check with the organisers, or if they can't help perhaps try the organizers.

isthismylifenow · 12/08/2023 08:29

I'd go for the British S over the American Z although we also use a bit of a mix here in SA.

But, do your DC get a list of words to learn first? There are so many S/Z words, why pick out only this one? And if you got a list, are they mostly UK or US spellings ?

Original poster
maratara · 12/08/2023 08:33

No. We don't have a list. We should have but his teacher is off sick ( for 6 weeks and has been since last term ) and nobody knows what is going on. It's apparently on zoom ( I was phoned yesterday and told that) and being held in the principals office. I don't have high hopes. Seems fairly chaotic.
I only chose "mesmerise" as my DH and I are randomly asking him words and we disagreed on this one!

OP posts:
Original poster
maratara · 12/08/2023 08:38

He can spell murmuration though!!
Leaves me in the shade and I was the kid that said "parentheses" instead of "brackets".

OP posts:
Original poster
maratara · 12/08/2023 08:40

BTW - OT but google starling murmuration. Amazing!!

OP posts:
Kilopascal · 12/08/2023 08:43

shockthemonkey · 12/08/2023 08:23

« Just don't put a z in analyse or catalyse (or comprise, or surmise, or quite a few others). »

Not so sure about analyse, @Kilopascal … the z version is listed as a perfectly acceptable variant used in the US

I know, I edit for both US and UK publications and have a mental checklist of 'either/both/just wrong' spellings! I'm assuming the OP is in the UK, I must admit.

mrsDracoMalfoy · 12/08/2023 08:47

Could you YouTube older spelling competitions held in Australia and see which words come up and compare the spellings.

Original poster
maratara · 12/08/2023 08:49

Kilopascal · 12/08/2023 08:43

I know, I edit for both US and UK publications and have a mental checklist of 'either/both/just wrong' spellings! I'm assuming the OP is in the UK, I must admit.

Show quote history

No. Australia. Nobody seems to want to make a call either way!!! I will just hope that they let s and z go through. He will will probably blow it on something simple. Last year was "benign'. He forgot the g as he's never seen the word. ONce he sees a word he knows it.
He also refuses to study for these tests, but he is a massive reader. He got through to regionals on " impregnable".
I was thinking twice about that myself!!

OP posts:
Original poster
maratara · 12/08/2023 08:51

mrsDracoMalfoy · 12/08/2023 08:47

Could you YouTube older spelling competitions held in Australia and see which words come up and compare the spellings.

@mrsDracoMalfoy This is an awesome idea. Thanks. Will get onto that after watching the Matilda's tonight!!!

OP posts: