Which is correct? Dispatch or Despatch

charlottevwa

This is something i have always wondered... and so when i googled it... they both seemed to be correct? can someone please shed some light on this?

Avoriaz

Both are correct.

"Dispatch" is supposed to be more common but I prefer "despatch" as it is closer to the way I pronounce it.

Take your pick.

pdel61

I think despatch is the more correct one

charlottevwa

Despatch is defo the more 'used' one, but is there really a more 'correct' one? :rotfl:

kogsawelly

Charlottevwa
There really is no correct way of spelling it. You can go way back in historical text where you will see both spellings.
It seems like your spoilt for choice!!!
chrs

durham_girl

I like 'despatch' better. Not sure why!

pdel61

I imagine that despatch is never used in the USA, they do seem to be fairly interchangeable though, maybe different spellings suit different meanings better.

Paul_Herring

One's American, the other is British (think colour/color) :

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/despatch
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/dispatch

I find it mildly amusing that they describe ours as being the variant, and not theirs.

charlottevwa

Paul_Herring wrote: »

One's American, the other is British (think colour/color) :

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/despatch
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/dispatch

I find it mildly amusing that they describe ours as being the variant, and not theirs.

always the way! :rolleyes:

BigCraigJohn

charlottevwa wrote: »

always the way! :rolleyes:

True, they allways have to be different. I mean the date today is the 21st of December but ask a yank and it'll be December 21st.

melliott1963

It's like with software. I use Microsoft SQL Server. Under the choice of languages I can choose English, or British English. This is something that's always peeved me as it implies that English originated from America and the British are the ones that messed around with it!!!!