Why does SD use sledge for a definition of el trineo.

Question

Why does SD use sledge for a definition of el trineo. Sledge is a British word, and rarely used in the United States.

We use the word sled. - MarkLeeMorff, Jan 8, 2011

Wiki uses: sled (AmE)/sledge (BrE). AmE is American English, and BrE is British English. - MarkLeeMorff, Jan 8, 2011

Yes, MarkLeeMorff, but if you double-click Sledge, it will show 'trineo', - maybe the dictionary isn't perfect? - pesta, Jan 8, 2011

Yes, I back translated it, and sledge is correct. However the dictionary would be more correct to use both like Wiki does. - MarkLeeMorff, Jan 8, 2011

"Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, Ring ting tingling too" Why would you think that American English uses "sled" exclusively?? - Moe, Jan 8, 2011

I grew up in the north in Minnesota, and sled is typically used. I didn't even recognize the word. Sleigh yes, sled yes, sledge no. - MarkLeeMorff, Jan 8, 2011

Answer 1

Sledge is a British word, and rarely used in the United States.

so why should the dictionary give preference to the American spelling?

Great, so we should all then adapt to the "spelling" (:roll often used in the States?

lite instead of light

Fortunately so far the latter is listed as slang,,,well.

Why indeed? When I read the word, I looked up photos of a sledge and saw that it was our sled. Words with s's were z or c should be, words like colour or theatre. I find all of those M I S S P E L L I N G S interesting. - 0074b507, Jan 9, 2011

I figure that you will eventually realize (see the "z"?) your errors and come around to spelling things correctly as we do. J i n g o i s m. - 0074b507, Jan 9, 2011

that should be realise, I know you knew that:P:P - 00494d19, Jan 9, 2011

My perspective is that both should be included so the dictionary is comprehensive. I did not expect preference, just to be able to read it and understand it without looking up another english word. - MarkLeeMorff, Jan 9, 2011

I just hope that SD and the administrators are not dismissive of American usage of the English language. Sled is a correct spelling, and probably more predominately used. - MarkLeeMorff, Jan 9, 2011

Answer 2

I actually like the regional differences in spelling. However, I must admit that I had never heard the word sledge used to mean sled.

Answer 3

qfreed said

colour is a misspelling

If colour is a misspelling of color why do you use "four" as the number 4. Wouldn't this also be a misspelling. It has the same sound. So why not drop the "u" here also.

Answer 4

Because a dictionary tries to include all words that are part of a language. Some are more comprehensive and accurate than others, but there is not a perfect dictionary for any language.

True, but a dictionary should strive to be comprehensive. When I red the word of the day, I thought, "what", and I thought it was mispelled. Also, the second sentence uses the word sled. - MarkLeeMorff, Jan 8, 2011

Actually, I would like to see SD start making definitions so they include regional differences for the word. - MarkLeeMorff, Jan 8, 2011

They do at least for the Spanish words. - BellaMargarita, Jan 8, 2011

"When I read the word of the day." - Maria-Russell, Jan 8, 2011

Answer 5

So, is a Spanish trineo a sledge like in English a sleigh is a sled? Is that what you're saying, Moe? In English a sledge is a tool, like a sledge hammer. Also, in ancient times, "sledge" goes way back as some kind of harvesting tool.

O.K., I take that back, I guess people in Finland take their children on a "sledge ride." according to Vaanz. - Maria-Russell, Jan 8, 2011