the.com/favourite
The spelling that quietly judges Americans for dropping the u.
means The person or thing you like best, above all others.
from From French 'favori', rooted in Latin 'favor' (goodwill, support). English spelled it 'favourite' for centuries; American reformers, especially Noah Webster, later stripped the 'u' to simplify spelling, leaving British English clutching the extra letter as a badge of tradition.
- origin
- From French favorit, borrowed 16th century
- the u
- Latin never had it either, honestly
- usage split
- Commonwealth keeps it, US trimmed it 1828
- culprit
- Noah Webster, spelling reform enthusiast