Rumour vs. Rumor: Unraveling the Spelling Differences

The Origin of the Word

The word “rumour” (or “rumor”) traces its roots to the Old French word “rumour,” which means “noise” or “buzz.” The word then passed into Middle English and has been in use since the 14th century. In the United States, the spelling “rumor” is more commonly used, while in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, “rumour” is the preferred spelling.

The Spelling Controversy

Despite the spelling differences between “rumour” and “rumor,” their meanings remain the same. Both words refer to information that is widely circulated but is unverified or not proven to be true. However, some people argue that “rumor” is the more logical spelling since the word is pronounced with a “short u” sound, which is consistent with most English words that end in “-or.”

The Global Usage

While “rumor” is the more widely used spelling of the word in the United States, it is worth noting that the spelling “rumour” is still commonly used in other English-speaking countries around the world. In fact, outside of the United States, “rumour” is the standard spelling of the word. Therefore, when communicating with individuals from different parts of the world, it is important to be aware of these spelling differences.