AustrianAndyGull wrote:
Or perhaps spelt? :}
Andy, you are probably aware that the word has its origins in old German ('spellen'). However, that form of the past tense (ending in '-lt' rather than '-led') is getting to be archaic, except where to use the alternative ending would result in confusion, for example, if I were to say 'I felled' instead of 'I felt' (or vice versa). It is also interesting to note that American English still uses some forms which to us may now seem archaic, such as 'he dove' instead of 'he dived' or 'she snuck' instead of 'she sneaked'.
In terms of ancient idiom and vocabulary, it is important to distinguish between 'Archaic' and 'Arcadian'. 'Archaic' means characteristic of an earlier period of a language and not in ordinary use, whereas 'Arcadian' means 'A Canadian' badly spelled (or perhaps spelt) ..
![Glasses :)](./images/smilies/glasses.gif)