Whiskey vs Whisky: Dictionaries & Definitions
When searching for information on the definition and spelling of a word the first, and most obvious place to look is in a dictionary. Dictionaries are interesting things. while at first glance they appear static and unchanging, they serve as markers for the fluid shifts in language over time. Because language is dynamic, dictionaries both set the standard for how words are used and lag behind how people use words in day to day speech and writing. Whisk(e)y is an interesting example of the linguistic power and limitations of dictionaries and provides another layer of complexity to the story of why whisk(e)y has two spellings.
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