The English language was once so fluid and beautiful; written words such as colour and jewellery appeared more romantic on paper and in print than our modern day versions.  Do you ever come across variations in spelling and wonder if they are spelled incorrectly?

The word jewellery is derived from the word jewel, which was taken from the French word 'joule' around the 13th century.  The French word joule translates to 'a unit of energy' which diamonds, gemstones and precious metals emote.  You may be surprised to learn that both spellings for jewelry or jewellery are still being used throughout the world.  Jewelry is the preferred spelling in American English and jewellery is the proper, and original spelling of the word that is still used outside of North America.

You can thank Noah Webster, the early 19th century educator and lexicographer, who simplified many spellings of English words in his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, in order to make it easier to teach American children to improve pronunciation and spelling.

These differences in spelling also extend to the words jeweler and jeweller as well as to other derivatives such as jeweled-jewelled.  You can be a romantic and use the original spellings if you choose, but you might just have to deal with modern day spell check disagreeing with you or pulling up an overseas 'jeweller' in an on-line search.

Visit Griffin Trading to purchase this vintage jeweler sign and other great items.