I'm rather good at spelling. I've long believed that the ability to spell is some sort of inborn trait, and not necessarily one that can be taught. My Dad can spell, my Mom can't. Of my siblings, who were all taught by the same teacher from toddlerhood through 12th grade, approximately half of us can spell and the other half cannot.
I don't know what it is about spelling, but it seems that, in the wacky world of English phonetics at least, some people "get" spelling and others don't. And I don't think that those who can spell should ever condemn those who do not share the gift of spelling.
Besides, it's my theory that we all have our weaknesses. I'm pretty sure that even the greatest of spellers have one word, or maybe two, that tends to trip them up. Just one word that they always have to take an extra moment to think about and reflect on before they are sure that they are writing it correctly.
My word is: vacuum.
I'm not even kidding, the first time I typed it, I spelled it wrong. I don't know what it is about that word, but I spell it wrong at least as often as I spell it right. There's no other word I struggle with on a regular basis, but if I ever have the need to write vacuum without the aid of a spell-check feature, I can guarantee you that I will write it a couple different ways and stare at the different versions till I figure out which one looks right.
So, now you know my spelling weakness. I may have good instincts for how words are spelled, but they regularly fail me every time I try to write a list of household chores. And what a coincidence! Vacuuming is also the chore I detest the most--far more that cooking, scrubbing the bathtub, doing laundry, sweeping and mopping...
What's your word that trips you up? Or are you one of the few who experience no weaknesses, no hesitations whatsoever when it comes to spelling the words of your native language?
Vacuum.
I don't know what it is about spelling, but it seems that, in the wacky world of English phonetics at least, some people "get" spelling and others don't. And I don't think that those who can spell should ever condemn those who do not share the gift of spelling.
Besides, it's my theory that we all have our weaknesses. I'm pretty sure that even the greatest of spellers have one word, or maybe two, that tends to trip them up. Just one word that they always have to take an extra moment to think about and reflect on before they are sure that they are writing it correctly.
My word is: vacuum.
I'm not even kidding, the first time I typed it, I spelled it wrong. I don't know what it is about that word, but I spell it wrong at least as often as I spell it right. There's no other word I struggle with on a regular basis, but if I ever have the need to write vacuum without the aid of a spell-check feature, I can guarantee you that I will write it a couple different ways and stare at the different versions till I figure out which one looks right.
So, now you know my spelling weakness. I may have good instincts for how words are spelled, but they regularly fail me every time I try to write a list of household chores. And what a coincidence! Vacuuming is also the chore I detest the most--far more that cooking, scrubbing the bathtub, doing laundry, sweeping and mopping...
What's your word that trips you up? Or are you one of the few who experience no weaknesses, no hesitations whatsoever when it comes to spelling the words of your native language?
Vacuum.
.......................................................................
p.s. People, I was amazed at your response to yesterday's post. Your comments made my day, and gave me a lot to think about as far as where I could improve and grow if I'm taking this seriously. Honestly, I was very nervous about publishing that post yesterday. I mean, who just comes out and says that she wants to be a professional blogger? It doesn't seem quite like polite behavior. But I truly believe that if I can achieve this, it won't be on my own, it'll be with all of your help and support! So of course I had to let you in on my secret plans to be world-famous....
this was one of my topical tuesday questions a long time ago. vacuum always gets me too. as does diarrhea. and the name michael. i ALWAYS mess up the 'a' and 'e.'
i think i'm an alright speller, but my dad isn't. growing up he would often yell upstairs to ask me how to spell a particular word.
here is the post if you're interested in what other people couldn't spell. :)
http://delirious-rhapsody.blogspot.com/2012/02/topical-tuesday_21.html
Wow! My list of words I have trouble spelling would be half of the dictionary! :P
Rachel, I totally hear you! I always have trouble with "correspondence" or is it "corespondence" or "coresppondence"? It looks wrong every single way, including the correct way! Vacuum is a weird looking word as well. I loved your last post and I wish you the best of luck! Blogging is so much fun and I also love brainstorming post ideas and writing the very best (though I am falling a little in love with the design aspect, too).
-Amy @ Club Narwhal
I have trouble with recommend. I always want to put two Cs, but the computer tells me it is wrong. I spelled it wrong when I typed it on here and had to correct it.
I'm a HORRIBLE speller, just like my dad. I agree that it really must have something to do with genetics.
Wednesday... if only you could hear how I sound it out in my head every single time I write it or type it.
Also, apparently... I wish I would have counted how many times it took for me to get that spelling right. At least 7. I don't know why that word is SO hard for me to spell???
my word used to be "beautiful" until Jim Carey started spelling it out for me in Bruce almighty. lol.
B-E-A UTIFUL
Vacuum is one of my words too. I always spell it wrong!
My word is receive. Every single time my whole "i before e except after c..." mantra screws me over. I swear whoever came up with this word did it just to screw with us all. It's a conspiracy...
I struggle with "amount." I always want to use two Ms for some reason. It's funny because I pride myself on being able to spell most words properly.
Except I did lose a spelling bee (or is it just B?) at our church's family camp to diarrhea before. The word, not actual diarrhea. Someone told me afterwards that "You spell it with two Rs because you've got the rrrrruns!" And I will never forget that.
I'm with you on spelling being innate. My dad and sister can't spell worth a darn, while my mom and I are spot on. Though there are words that trip me up - like definitely!
I'm a pretty good speller also, but a few simple words trip me up too. For the longest time I always spelled ridiculous as REdiculous because that's how I always said it. I still have to remind myself that its like ridicule. Also the word "sauce", why does it look so weird?
My two words are beginning and embarrassed. I have to spell check them every time, I actually had to for my previous sentence haha. I don't know what it is about just those two words. They are such simple words in the English language but I can't spell them write. I know how to read, write, and speak Polish and I don't make such terrible mistakes in that language!
I also need to get that 50 States Quarter poster/board. I collect them too, just whenever I find them I put them aside. I've been wanting to get one of those things.
I'm a pretty good speller also, but a few simple words trip me up too. For the longest time I always spelled ridiculous as REdiculous because that's how I always said it. I still have to remind myself that its like ridicule. Also the word "sauce", why does it look so weird?
I'm the same with spelling, I am really good at it but I have noticed people either get it or they do not. I have a few I struggle with though, mostly they are ones that have double letters like mm, cc, etc.
Kate @ fattofitgeek.com
Vacuum always gets me too! Spelling was always "my fave" because I "got" it. Except for vacuum (there really ought to be two c's in that!) and exercise (took me three tries).
Vacuum always trips me up too. So does weird, because I always think it should be wierd. And subpoena/subpoenaing. Which is tricky because I'm a paralegal and type that word A MILLION TIMES A WEEK. You'd think I'd get it after a two years, but no! :)
I pretty much stink at spelling everything. Not a life skill I have.
every time I try spelling "definitely" it comes out defiantly. I have to slow down and take my time with that one. :) And spelling was my worst subject in elementary school, but nursing school made me shape up! Spell check doesn't hurt either.
I think I mostly have the spelling gene. I had a really hard time spelling after living abroad for a while, a lot of words just started looking wrong. But I am constantly, no matter what spelling Australia wrong.
I definitely have the spelling gene (made it to the state level spelling bee one year!) but there are definitely a few seemingly easy words that trip me up. I can't remember half of them until I start writing them, but probably one of the worst is "privilege." Also, "harassed" and "embarrassed."
Also, I always spell wrong wrong, but it's impossible to spell wrong right, because no matter how you do it, it's still wrong ;)
Mine is the exact same word as you! VACUUM! At school, we had a spelling bee. I was doing great till....the word vacuum. lol! I lost D:
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