Dilemna or dilemma

[LuMPyPussy]

I was taught to spell it with an "N" but I just saw someone write it with two "M"s and did a little research... but still didn't really find anything out. Most of the dictionaries available online spell it dilemma but there's a large number of people that were taught and still continue to use dilemna.

This is kind of weird and it's bugging me. How were YOU taught to spell it?

[QueenBee]

Just checked www.dictionary.com which shows that the one with 2 m's is correct.

[SyberBitch]

two 'm's

but now both spellings are starting to look weird... like saying a word over and over until it sounds strange. ::blink::

[Middle Finger]

I always spelled it dilemma but I've seen it as dilemna in the past (I think).

[LuMPyPussy]

Apparently there have been pages and pages of discussion about this, here are two comments from someone's blog about the spelling:

Neither regional nor generational, I think. I’m 65 and live in the UK. Both my daughter, now living in Canada and educated in England, and I myself - grew up to spell it dilemna.

We were both horrified to find we’d apparently been spelling it wrong all our lives. I’d have bet really serious money on my spelling

I’m now trawling old dictionaries to see if I can find any self-justification

wrote annie on April 13, 2005 5:48 PM

I grew up in Los Angeles, started kindergarten in 1962. I, too, was taught to spell it dilemna. My understanding was that the spelling was later changed. It’s hard to believe that we all were merely being taught to spell a word incorrectly. It had to have been in textbooks all over the country.

wrote Kathy on July 7, 2005 10:44 AM

Call me weird, but I think this is interesting.

[Maggot]

Good thing this is not about enema. Enemna?

[LuMPyPussy]

Good thing this is not about enema. Enemna?

That sounds kind of like a Greed goddess name... Enemna, goddess of digestion.

[Maggot]

Good thing this is not about enema. Enemna?

That sounds kind of like a Greed goddess name... Enemna, goddess of digestion.

She does have her own throne.

[LuMPyPussy]

Oh shit, I meant to write "Greek"! hahaha!

[Maggot]

Oh shit, I meant to write "Greek"! hahaha!

Put your spelling dunce cap on and sit in the high chair by the corner.

[twisteroo]

Good thing this is not about enema. Enemna?

That sounds kind of like a Greed goddess name... Enemna, goddess of digestion.

I'm sure if I've ever used the word I spelled it with MM or whatever google told me to use.

Being that greek has a meaning of it's own maybe Enemna should be the Greek goddess of anal insertion.

[sally]

Good thing this is not about enema. Enemna?

That sounds kind of like a Greed goddess name... Enemna, goddess of digestion.

I'm sure if I've ever used the word I spelled it with MM or whatever google told me to use.

Me too. I don't even think I've ever typed that word, I'm more likely to be in a pickle.

[LKTraz]

I think this is an example of both changes in education and short memories of people.

I specifically remember being taught dilemna because I asked why the N. I was told that that's just the way it's spelled and the N is silent.

[The Antagonist]

I have a very old dictionary and it's spelled with 2 m's in there. I was thinking this book of all books should have it the old way.

I vaguely remember it being spelled with the n but I can't be for certain.

I also checked the revisions of this dictionary and the last update was 1962 so by then it could have switched from it's original mn to mm.

When I hit mothers' for Christmas I'll see if she has an older one and check the spelling.

[Maggot]

This thread may hit 100.

[Julie]

Jesus H. Christ.

If you only speak ONE language you have a moral obligation to speak it properly. If english is the only language you speak, you should be ashamed.

Dilemma with an "N"?!

Reminds me of the jackassholes who thnk "vice versa" is "visa versa"...

*smh*

[LuMPyPussy]

Thank christ the ultimate authority of the English language is here to admonish me and LK. You might want to visit the numerous sites that are also discussing this very same topic... you know, to share your extraordinary knowledge.

[Julie]

Naw...not sharing my knowledge with the folks at the other anti intellectual slum sites...the people here are much much cooler.

[SyberBitch]

Jesus H. Christ.

If you only speak ONE language you have a moral obligation to speak it properly. If english is the only language you speak, you should be ashamed.

Dilemma with an "N"?!

Reminds me of the jackassholes who thnk "vice versa" is "visa versa"...

*smh*

We have a new Mocker? Welcome! er I mean,

[SyberBitch]

Naw...not sharing my knowledge with the folks at the other anti intellectual slum sites...the people here are much much cooler.

You're damned right!! We tell each other that every day in the 'support' section. It gives us a reason to live.