www.alphadictionary.com

Article today on Quartz that explains a bit…

http://qz.com/596395/the-case-of-the-mi ... n-english/

I've read this type of article before, but it always helps to have a reminder. Thanks.

We Brits are not consistent in this matter. Our usual spelling is -our, but we have some exceptions, e.g. horror, terror, error, pallor, stupor, torpor, languor.

And I believe that Americans write glamour.

I'd like to extend this inquiry into the use of "or" in British and American spelling.

I note that at least some words spelled "-our" in British English become "or" when the "ous" suffix is attached. For example "humour - humorous." (Note the American punctuation.) What happened to the "u"? Doesn't that subtly suggest the "u" wasn't needed in the first place?

I am aware of one counter example: Although "glamorous" is acceptable, "glamourous" is preferred according to my Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. (NB. Maybe the dictionary is out of date; my spell checker disagrees.)

Is anyone aware of spelling rule that addresses this question?

I note that at least some words spelled "-our" in British English become "or" when the "ous" suffix is attached. For example "humour - humorous."

They often become "or" when a suffix is attached, e.g:

colour > coloration
vapour > vaporise/vaporize
honour > honorific
labour > laborious

But sometimes the "u" is retained, e.g.

colour > colourful
honour > honourable
favour > favourite, favouritism

I am aware of one counter example: Although "glamorous" is acceptable, "glamourous" is preferred according to my Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. (NB. Maybe the dictionary is out of date; my spell checker disagrees.)

"Glamorous" seems to be by far the more common spelling, in both British and American English. I always spell it that way.

I don't use the word much, but I think I would write glamor. Maybe not. Glamour also looks ok.