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Pedants' corner

Spell Michael properly!

57 replies

dailyconniptions · 18/05/2026 16:12

I'm so TIRED of seeing Michael Jackson written as Micheal. "Heal' is pronounced 'heel', so obviously it's wrong. If you're unsure, just look it up FFS. (Can't hold it in any more. I've come on here for a therapeutic moan!)

OP posts:
Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 18/05/2026 16:18

I used to know a Rachael. Her own parents were never sure which way round the a and e went.

maudelovesharold · 18/05/2026 16:20

And Isreal for Israel. That’s bloody annoying, too!

senua · 18/05/2026 16:20

Michael is one of the archangels. They are all have a name in the form -el so the spelling is not difficult to remember!

Seven Archangels - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Archangels

fellupthestairs · 18/05/2026 16:21

I’ve seen people named Micheal and it always makes me wonder if their parents just didn’t know how to spell the name correctly!

senua · 18/05/2026 16:22

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 18/05/2026 16:18

I used to know a Rachael. Her own parents were never sure which way round the a and e went.

If only they'd just stuck with Rachel ...

Ultraalox · 18/05/2026 16:22

Cantthinkofanewusernameffs · 18/05/2026 16:18

I used to know a Rachael. Her own parents were never sure which way round the a and e went.

My middle name - my parents left the a out altogether 😆

DramaAlpaca · 18/05/2026 16:23

I agree with you in the Michael Jackson context; spelling someone's name wrong is a bit lazy and disrespectful. Not that MJ deserves respect, but you know what I mean.

However, I'll just point out that Micheál (note the fada) is the Irish version of the name Michael.

So while the spelling is wrong for the likes of Michael Jackson, Micheál is an actual name so it's not always a misspelling. It's pronounced 'mee-hawl'.

AlphaApple · 18/05/2026 16:23

Micheal is a Gaelic spelling.

Pronounced Mee-hall.

afaik Michael Jackson was not Scottish or Irish.

RedToothBrush · 18/05/2026 16:24

Michael is easy to remember. It's alphabetical.

Likewise Reuben. Not Rueben

AlphaApple · 18/05/2026 16:24

@DramaAlpacacross post!

MyGammyEye · 18/05/2026 16:24

I've seen too many Pheobes over the years.

Doesitneverend · 18/05/2026 16:24

I am married to a Michael. His own grandmother always spelled it Micheal. Think his uncle still does.

CmonBobby · 18/05/2026 16:25

Micheal is the Irish way to spell it (and AFAIK it’s pronounced Mi-harl with a guttural consonant. Although I agree this doesn’t apply to MJ.

Hatty65 · 18/05/2026 16:25

I once taught a Pheobe who I mentally called 'Fee-ob' every time I looked at the register.

It amazed me that her mother had had 9 months to choose a classical name, but couldn't be bothered to find out how to spell it.

CmonBobby · 18/05/2026 16:26

Sorry x posted with everyone

Arlanymor · 18/05/2026 16:28

DramaAlpaca · 18/05/2026 16:23

I agree with you in the Michael Jackson context; spelling someone's name wrong is a bit lazy and disrespectful. Not that MJ deserves respect, but you know what I mean.

However, I'll just point out that Micheál (note the fada) is the Irish version of the name Michael.

So while the spelling is wrong for the likes of Michael Jackson, Micheál is an actual name so it's not always a misspelling. It's pronounced 'mee-hawl'.

Came here to say this too as my friend Caoimhe and I had this exact conversation last week! But I don't think other people should find offence on behalf of others - if it's their name, it's for them to feel one way or another about. Why would you insert yourself into the argument?

I say this as a Welsh woman who has a five letter name that people regularly get wrong. It's FIVE letters! And it's not short for anything! But I wouldn't expect people to get cross on my behalf. In an email do I give a monkey's? Not really. But on a certificate or on my bank card - of course! My baby bracelet from hospital was spelled incorrectly too... and I was born in Wales!!

I have also met Micheals in my life...

DramaAlpaca · 18/05/2026 16:30

AlphaApple · 18/05/2026 16:24

@DramaAlpacacross post!

So funny, in the same minute too!

@CmonBobby I like the way all three of us have used a different way of writing down how it's pronounced, but they all sound pretty much the same!

BashfulClam · 18/05/2026 16:33

It alphabetical in order. A E L

RedToothBrush · 18/05/2026 16:33

One of my best friends always uses the wrong spelling of my name. Tbh I don't give much of a fuck!

gingercat02 · 18/05/2026 16:36

dailyconniptions · 18/05/2026 16:12

I'm so TIRED of seeing Michael Jackson written as Micheal. "Heal' is pronounced 'heel', so obviously it's wrong. If you're unsure, just look it up FFS. (Can't hold it in any more. I've come on here for a therapeutic moan!)

If in English yes, and for MJ.
Micheal is the Irish spelling, pronounced Mehawl (sort of)

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 18/05/2026 16:45

senua · 18/05/2026 16:20

Michael is one of the archangels. They are all have a name in the form -el so the spelling is not difficult to remember!

Is that spelt 'angels' or 'angles'? I can never rememember.

EffortlesslyDirected · 18/05/2026 16:55

I know perfectly well how to spell it but somehow my fingers always get it wrong when I type it, which is frequently as it is the name of one of my colleagues. I do go back and correct it, but it happens every time.

senua · 18/05/2026 17:05

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 18/05/2026 16:45

Is that spelt 'angels' or 'angles'? I can never rememember.

'Non Angli sed angeli.
Grin

Newforspring · 18/05/2026 17:09

Arlanymor · 18/05/2026 16:28

Came here to say this too as my friend Caoimhe and I had this exact conversation last week! But I don't think other people should find offence on behalf of others - if it's their name, it's for them to feel one way or another about. Why would you insert yourself into the argument?

I say this as a Welsh woman who has a five letter name that people regularly get wrong. It's FIVE letters! And it's not short for anything! But I wouldn't expect people to get cross on my behalf. In an email do I give a monkey's? Not really. But on a certificate or on my bank card - of course! My baby bracelet from hospital was spelled incorrectly too... and I was born in Wales!!

I have also met Micheals in my life...

Edited

But wait, new level unlocked, is she Keeva or Queeva?

MrsMoastyToasty · 18/05/2026 17:09

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles it depends on which angel/angle your/you're looking at it from.

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