On 23 Apr 2008 at 7:37, Richard Detwiler wrote: ... > I checked the Merriam-Webster dictionary which lists "judgment" as the > preferred spelling with "judgement" listed as a "variant" spelling. > Also, for what it's worth, Thunderbird shows "judgment" as correct and > "judgement" as being not in its dictionary.
Fowler and the new oed are busy today :-) I notice the /UK/ OOo spell check only allows the -e- version. The new OED gives judgement as the preferred version, judgment as a variant. Fowler notes under the heading "mute e" that: "The only satisfactory rule, exceptions to which need be very few, would be this: If the suffix begins with a consonant, the mute e should be retained....". As for judg(e)ment, he notes that the OUP prefers "judgment" in legal works, and judgement in all others. Our US friends will no doubt use their own judgment :-) -- Permission for this mail to be processed by any third party in connection with marketing or advertising purposes is hereby explicitly denied. http://www.scottsonline.org.uk lists incoming sites blocked because of spam [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mike Scott, Harlow, Essex, England --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
