Spelling differences

Here’s a table highlighting some common spelling differences between UK and US English in the context of food:
UK English US English
aubergine eggplant
courgette zucchini
chilli chili
coriander cilantro
biscuit cookie
crisps chips
chips fries
porridge oatmeal
sweets candy
takeaway takeout
maize corn
prawn shrimp
rocket arugula
spring onion green onion
icing sugar powdered sugar
caster sugar superfine sugar
candyfloss cotton candy
jelly Jell-O
mince ground meat
wholemeal whole wheat

This table covers some of the most common food-related spelling differences and terminology variations between UK and US English.

Note:

The spelling "potato" is correct in both UK and US English. The spelling "potatoe" is incorrect and not used in either UK or US English.

  • Correct Spelling (UK and US): potato
  • Incorrect Spelling: potatoe

The singular form is "potato," and the plural form is "potatoes." The error with "potatoe" likely comes from confusion with the plural spelling.

Similar to "potato," the correct spelling for the singular form is "tomato" in both UK and US English.

  • Correct Spelling (UK and US): tomato
  • Incorrect Spelling: tomatoe

The plural form is spelled "tomatoes." The confusion often arises due to the plural form, but "tomatoe" is not a correct spelling in either dialect.

There are several common spelling errors in the food context that are similar to the mistakes with "tomatoe" and "potatoe." Here are some typical examples:

Common Spelling Errors in the Food Context:

  1. Broccoli

    • Incorrect: brocolli, brocoli
    • Correct: broccoli

  2. Spaghetti

    • Incorrect: spagetti, spagheti
    • Correct: spaghetti

  3. Mayonnaise

    • Incorrect: mayonaisse, mayonaise
    • Correct: mayonnaise

  4. Cauliflower

    • Incorrect: coliflower, caulflower
    • Correct: cauliflower

  5. Bologna

    • Incorrect: balogna
    • Correct: bologna

  6. Raspberry

    • Incorrect: rasberry, rasperry
    • Correct: raspberry

  7. Mushroom

    • Incorrect: mushroon
    • Correct: mushroom

  8. Lettuce

    • Incorrect: letuce, lettice
    • Correct: lettuce

  9. Zucchini

    • Incorrect: zuchini, zuccini
    • Correct: zucchini

  10. Artichoke

    • Incorrect: articoke, artichocke
    • Correct: artichoke

These spelling errors often result from mispronunciations, phonetic spelling, or confusion with similar-sounding words.