From pgilbert at bank-banque-canada.ca  Wed Feb 11 16:01:16 2004
From: pgilbert at bank-banque-canada.ca (Paul Gilbert)
Date: Wed Feb 11 16:03:26 2004
Subject: [Rd] Spelling (PR#6570)
In-Reply-To: <4029929B.6060003@jhsph.edu>
References: <20040211001358.1420BEAD6@slim.kubism.ku.dk>
	<4029929B.6060003@jhsph.edu>
Message-ID: <402A43BC.7050106@bankofcanada.ca>

Roger D. Peng wrote:

> Unfortunately, with English it's conceivable that they're both correct.  
> But the double 't' sounds/looks *more* correct to me.
> Of course, this is coming from a native English speaker who is generally 
> unfamiliar with the rules of English.
> 
> On the other hand:
> 
> test --> testable?
> arrest --> arrestable?
> contest --> contestable?
> detest --> detestable?
> ...

I expect this case is more like "upset," and I think there are four 
important rules.

1/ Is it being used as a noun, adjective, or verb?

2/ It may be done differently in England than it is in the colonies, but 
you can't count on it.

3/ No matter which way you do it you are certain to upset someone.

4/ If you do it both ways you may appease everyone, but more likely you 
will upset everyone.

HTH,
(I vote for two t's.)
Paul


[Rd] Spelling (PR#6570)
Paul Gilbert