How do you spell this word...

[fly girl]

Dilemma or Dilemna?

I know I was taugh dilemna in school. But spell check keeps telling me it's wrong. OK, you can teach an old gal new spelling. I'll go along for the spell check ride. DilemMa. Whatever, it just looks wrong.

The question is, was anyone else on here taught this way? I know there has to be because I just saw an episode of 'Selling New York' and one of the realtors made a big thing about how to spell it and he put the N in.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Dilemma.

 

[SetzKitten]

Yes, yes and YES! I was taught it was spelled dilemna. Every time I see the word, I ask myself why nobody spells it like I do. I'm 100% sure that's how I learned it in school. I also learned the word spilled is spelled like that, not spilt, as I've seen many times. Maybe the rules changed?

 

[turning40withMickey]

dilemma

but you are not alone, google it and find out that it was widespead (the misspelling with an n) and you have a lot of support

 

[jujube]

According to Merriam Webster, it's dilemma.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

It's dilemma.

Here's a writing tip I got from one of my college journalism professors. I always pass it on to anyone I help with writing. If you aren't completely sure of the correct spelling of a word, use one with the same meaning that you can spell. For example, if you can't spell "ridiculous," use "stupid." It's always better to use a correctly spelled word, even if it doesn't sound as impressive.

So, given the rule, the correct spelling of the word in question would be: p-i-c-k-l-e.

 

[Magic Mom]

I grew up spelling it dilemna. That's how I was taught to spell it from grade school up.

 

[Gisele]

Dilemma

~~ I love you Phil and you will forever be with me! Forever my very best and most special friend! I love you to no end. ~~​

 

[DeniseinNS]

DILEMMA

I have never seen it spelled or pronounced dilemna, it looks weird like that.

 

[fly girl]

DILEMMA

I have never seen it spelled or pronounced dilemna, it looks weird like that.

Nope! Your way looks weird.

 

[fly girl]

Yes, yes and YES! I was taught it was spelled dilemna. Every time I see the word, I ask myself why nobody spells it like I do. I'm 100% sure that's how I learned it in school. I also learned the word spilled is spelled like that, not spilt, as I've seen many times. Maybe the rules changed?

I grew up spelling it dilemna. That's how I was taught to spell it from grade school up.

Not alone.

 

[SandrA9810]

Dilemna for me as well. Although I don't write the word often.

 

[fly girl]

It's dilemma.

Here's a writing tip I got from one of my college journalism professors. I always pass it on to anyone I help with writing. If you aren't completely sure of the correct spelling of a word, use one with the same meaning that you can spell. For example, if you can't spell "ridiculous," use "stupid." It's always better to use a correctly spelled word, even if it doesn't sound as impressive.

So, given the rule, the correct spelling of the word in question would be: p-i-c-k-l-e.

It's odd. All through high school and college I was never corrected on spelling it dilemna. Even the ancient computers we had to share in the Computing Commons at the university didn't give that jagged red line of a spelling error. And I am soon to be 38 so school ended for me *cough, cough* 16 years ago.

I'm telling you it is a P-I-C-K-L-E!!

 

[fly girl]

dilemma

but you are not alone, google it and find out that it was widespead (the misspelling with an n) and you have a lot of support

Wow! It is a widespread debate!! And it goes to all parts of the world. Hmmm...the plot thickens.

 

[Christine]

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/is-it-dilemma-or-dilemna.aspx

Last week, Heidi Stevens from the Chicago Tribune reminded me of a problem I encountered a while ago: many people were taught to spell "dilemma" incorrectly.I was taught the wrong spelling in school, and when I got older and checked a dictionary, I was shocked to find that the word is spelled "dilemma." Further, the only correct spelling is "dilemma." It's not as if "dilemna" is a substandard variant or regional spelling. Dictionaries often note alternative spellings and sometimes even nonstandard spellings, but "dilemna" doesn't even show up that way."Dilemma" comes from Greek. "Di" means "two or twice," and "lemma" means "assumption or premise." A dilemma is a choice between two undesirable options.A Google search shows that many people all over the world were taught the "dilemna" spelling, and as far as I can tell, nobody knows why. Michael Quinion goes through some interesting history on his World Wide Words website, but he can't explain the widespread error either.

 

[Sandy51]

It's dilemma-never heard of dilemna.


Sandy

 

[fly girl]

Yes, yes and YES! I was taught it was spelled dilemna. Every time I see the word, I ask myself why nobody spells it like I do. I'm 100% sure that's how I learned it in school. I also learned the word spilled is spelled like that, not spilt, as I've seen many times. Maybe the rules changed?

Spilt? No way!! I was taught spilled too.

For Example: It is a real dilemna figuring out who spilled the milk.
Yeah, that is what it is supposed to look like.

SetzKitten, I'm with you!

 

[doxdogy]

Another one that was taught dilemna. But then again, I went to school in the dark ages. So my memory may be fading.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Spilt? No way!! I was taught spilled too.

For Example: It is a real dilemna figuring out who spilled the milk.
Yeah, that is what it is supposed to look like.

SetzKitten, I'm with you!

spilt/spilled http://grammarist.com/usage/spilled-spilt/

 

[fly girl]

spilt/spilled http://grammarist.com/usage/spilled-spilt/

Woo hoo! I got one right!