Stephen C. Gallagher wrote: "One major standard that I was told by an English professor had been changed on purpose was American spelling (center vs. centre, color vs. colour, etc). He only knew that it was supposed to be an anti-British act, but didn't go into the details."
As far as I know, modern American spelling evolved over the latter part of the 19th century and the early 20th century. The spelling of color, in addition to being both rational and the same as the Spanish word, was recommended by Fowler, of "Modern English Usage" fame. He predicted (with excessive optimism, as it turns out) that Britain would eventually adopt the more rational spelling. "Center" is neither more nor less rational than "centre." Interestingly, in U.S. usage, "theatre" is now more common than "theater." The latter form is extremely rare in California and in a number of other states. I also notice more and more office complexes and the occasional shopping mall using the "centre" spelling -- trying to be chic and trendy, I guess. Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]
