Words Americans Say They Have Difficulty Spelling

Feb 20, 2025 | Office, Show, Whacky | 0 comments

There are good spellers who are still haunted by a mistake from their sixth grade spelling bee. And then there are others, who still can’t figure out whether they should use: Y-O-U-R . . . Y-O-U-R-E . . . or U-R. (???)

Someone asked the internet: “What is the ONE word you can never spell correctly?” And the responses were . . . relatable. Here are a few:

1. Maintenance. “When I try to spell it out . . . my brain just short circuits.”
2. Diarrhea.”It’s always a big mess. My spelling, that is.”
3. Convenience. Someone said, “I wanted to say this too, but couldn’t spell it.”
4. Boutonnière. “And I’m a wedding photographer.”
5. Necessary. Remember: One C, Two Ss.
6. Occasionally. Remember: Two Cs. One S.
7. Accommodate. Remember: Two Cs. 8. Embarrass. Remember: Two Rs. Two Ss.
9. Receipt. Remember: “I” before “E,” except after “C.”
10. Seize. Remember: “I” before . . . wait a minute! (This must be an exception)
11. Conscientious. And also: Conscience.
12. Rhythm.
13. Restaurant.
14. Refrigerator. Mostly due to the disappearing “D” from ” fridge.”
15. Privilege.
16. Definitely.
17. Nauseous.
18. Alcohol. Even when sober.
19. Hemorrhoids.

On top of this madness, there are also the words that are technically correct in two forms . . . and yet, we agonize over them anyway.

Things like: Canceled vs. cancelled with TWO Ls . . . judgment vs. judgement with an E in the middle . . . and ax vs. axe with an E at the end.

To-do List Conundrum

Sep 29, 2023 | Office, Show | 0 comments

You know that to-do list you’ve got scribbled on the corner of your desk or maybe tucked away in your phone? It turns out, a lot of us have a little secret when it comes to our to-do lists.

Someone polled 10,000 Americans about their to-do list habits, and guess what? A whopping 43% admitted they’ve added things they’ve already done, just for the sheer joy of crossing them off.

You may be saying, “Wait, what? I’ve never done that!” Well, don’t worry; you’re not alone. About 47% of folks claim they’ve never indulged in this delightful to-do list trick, and around 10% aren’t sure or can’t remember. (And hey, not remembering if you’ve ever done it? Well, that’s a to-do list item itself!)

The survey didn’t dive deep into the “why” of it all, but maybe it’s just procrastination, trying to make us feel like we’ve accomplished more than we really have. Or maybe we’ve achieved something significant but didn’t add it to the list, and why deny ourselves the sweet satisfaction of ticking it off?

Over half of those 45 and under confessed to this list-crossing caper, while only 26% of the wise and experienced 65 and up folks said they’ve dabbled in it.

The to-do list conundrum: to add or not to add, that is the question! And if you do add, just remember, it’s all in the name of feeling that sweet, sweet accomplishment.