Blond vs. Blonde. Vanna, can I buy an “E”?
The “Blond” vs. “Blonde” debate.
Or perhaps I should say debacle. Yeah, it’s more like a debacle.
*sigh*
When I started this blog, I did reference the fact I tend to make a lot of typos. Just remember you were warned.
At that time I had no idea I’d misspelled the word “blonde” in my blog’s title. I was not trying to be cute or funny, I really had No. Idea. I thought blond with an “E” was the British spelling. You know, like color and colour.
Even now, the auto spellcheck feature in this text is highlighting blonde as being spelled incorrectly, and showing blond as being spelled correctly.
My defense? I was mislead by auto spellcheck.
Apparently blond without an “E” is the masculine version of the word. ??? I swear, I’m not a guy pretending to be a woman like some FBI porn sting operator.
And very shortly after I realized it was far too late to correct THAT major typo, I get these two emails from my mom (note the text in bold)…
—————————-
From: Mom
To: Kernut
Subject: TRIP
Hi,
It’ll be great to have you and Ms. Checkers come for a visit. Let me know what kind of food (for you and Checkers) I should get in.
I checked with cousin George in Vermont today — their area wasn’t flooded — just lots of wind and rain. My almost home state of North Carolina seems to be taking a lot of hits. Did you know that I was almost a Southern Bell? If your maternal grandparents hadn’t moved back to NY for my birth, I would have been born in North Carolina, y’all!
Love,
Mom
—– follow-up email below, received shortly after the first—–
From: Mom
To: Kernut
Subject: TRIP
I meant “Belle” not Bell.
—————end——————-
As if I had even noticed the error in the first place.
Again, it’s not my fault! Apparently my leaving “e”s off the end of words is hereditary. Apples falling from trees, etc.
And now there’s a new version of the word “blond”. You’re welcome. It should be used when referring to a blonde who doesn’t spell well.
Let’s move on, shall we? I’ve created The Great RV Roll-About Itinerary page. My next RV road trip is to St George, UT to visit my mom. I understand the temperature is around 105 degrees, and I’m arriving in time for the Huntsman World Senior Games. Apparently every person over 50 with an RV is converging on the town at the same time. Awesome isn’t quite the word I’m looking for. Now I know why it was so hard to get ten days in a row to park my RV.
We don’t need no stinkin’ e’s!
No we don’t! Just think of all the time we’ve saved over a lifetime of not writing extra e’s.
I have to thank you for this public service. I’ve always wondered what the difference was. I didn’t know if there was a real reason, or it was like “Gray vs Grey.”
Of course, I was never so curious that I took the time to look it up, so thanks for putting the answer right under my nose, where I can see it.
You know that saying: “It’s the little things that are important”. I’m sure they meant e’s.
On a related note, I’ve added a new word to the dictionary. Now, you can use “blond” to refer to a bad-spelling blonde.
I’m impressed by your writing. Are you a professional or just very knowledgeable?
Frugal usage of vowels leads to more pleasant scrabble game outcomes.
I assembled a BBQ last night. For its small size it took a shocking two hours. But in keeping with the “frugal usage” theme I had parts left over when I was done. Even BBQs can be green.
I wonder if I should be Mrs. Tunae?
Hmm, possibly. Hey I know! Let’s ask Dan Quayle!
Your mom sounds like a sweet litte carolina belle!
She’s probably laughing over this… I’m guessing she considers herself more of a tough-as-nails New Yorker! That’s what happens if you’re born in a different state.
Seriously? I’m British and I fully thought that that was how we spelt it too… hold on a sec I’m going to check my dictionary… Okay, the Cambridge Dictionary (our version of Harvard) says
blonde adjective
(also blond)
Definition: with pale yellow or gold hair
blonde hair/highlights
a blonde woman/a blond man
By this it says that Blonde in Britain is female as opposed to male… you’re welcome… I think.
Yup, that’s what I got here, too. “Blond” (sans “e”) is the masculine version, and “blonde” (con “e”) is the feminine version.
I happen to be female, not that you can tell by my blog’s masculine title. *sigh* Hence this post.
However, the upshot is I’ve made the usage of “blond” (sans “e”) as a new reference for blondes who can’t spell.