THIS circular treat has become increasingly popular in recent years and can often be found in offices and at birthday parties.
The favourite food of Homer Simpson, this tasty treat has people asking one big question - just how is the name spelt?
1
Is it doughnut or donut?
The name is derived from ‘dough’, which they are typically made from.
There are two common spellings of the dessert; doughnut and donut.
The former is considered the UK spelling and the latter the Americanised version.
Often Americanisms drop the ‘u’, for example in colour versus color.
Dictionary.com lists doughnut as the primary spelling, with donut as an alternative.
It describes it as: “1. A small cake of sweetened dough, often ring-shaped or spherical with a jam or cream filling, cooked in hot fat
"2. Anything shaped like a ring, such as the reaction vessel of a thermonuclear reactor.”
Americans even have a day dedicated to the sweet snack, with June 1 being National Donut Day.
Why are there two spellings and which one is correct?
Doughnut is the original spelling of the word, and is often listed as the correct spelling with donut as a variant spelling.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, one of the first times the word appears in writing is in Washington Irving’s History of New York in 1809.
He writes: “An enormous dish of balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog’s fat, and called doughnuts, or olykoeks.”
The variant spelling of donut was used towards the end of the 19th century, but it didn’t catch on until the 20th century when food chain Dunkin’ Donuts opened.
Founded in 1950 in Massachuetts, Dunkin' now has 12,000 outlets in 36 countries.
Written publications tend to prefer to use the spelling doughnut - even American ones.
MOST READ IN FOOD
Writing Explained says: “TheAP StylebookandGarner’s Modern American Usageboth listdoughnutas the preferred spelling.
"Garner’s states that donut or worse yet do-nut 'should be reserved for eatery names and advertising,' not the world of publishing."
While donut may be an informal or slang variant, it seems the original, full spelling is advised to be used in formal or written settings.
As a seasoned language aficionado, let me dive into the delightful world of circular treats and unravel the mystery behind the spelling of everyone's favorite—doughnuts. The debate between "doughnut" and "donut" has been sizzling in language circles, and I'm here to shed light on the doughy details.
Firstly, it's crucial to recognize that the term is rooted in the word "dough," the primary ingredient in these delectable delights. Now, the two prevalent spellings, "doughnut" and "donut," represent a transatlantic linguistic divergence. The former, "doughnut," is hailed as the UK spelling, while the latter, "donut," has been adopted as the Americanized version.
Let's turn our attention to the evidential trail. Dictionary.com, a reputable linguistic oracle, designates "doughnut" as the principal spelling, with "donut" playing the role of a permissible alternative. Their definition captures the essence: "A small cake of sweetened dough, often ring-shaped or spherical with a jam or cream filling, cooked in hot fat." Interestingly, it extends beyond the culinary realm, defining it as "Anything shaped like a ring, such as the reaction vessel of a thermonuclear reactor."
Now, why the linguistic duel? The original spelling, "doughnut," dates back, and one of its early appearances in writing is traced to Washington Irving's 1809 work, where he describes "balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog’s fat, and called doughnuts." The variant, "donut," gained traction in the late 19th century but truly soared in popularity in the 20th century with the rise of Dunkin' Donuts.
Speaking of Dunkin' Donuts, founded in 1950 in Massachusetts, its widespread success marked a turning point in the doughnut spelling saga. Despite this, written publications, even in the United States, tend to lean towards the classic "doughnut" spelling. The Oxford English Dictionary also recognizes "doughnut" as the original, with "donut" as a variant.
To add more weight to my case, authoritative language style guides, such as the AP Stylebook and Garner’s Modern American Usage, endorse "doughnut" as the preferred spelling. According to Garner’s, "donut" or the playful "do-nut" should be confined to eatery names and advertising, not the formal world of publishing.
In conclusion, while the doughnut might be a sweet delight, the spelling conundrum underscores the richness and evolution of language, reminding us that even in the sugary world of circular treats, linguistic debates have their own delicious complexity. So, whether you're celebrating National Donut Day on June 1 or simply indulging in this delightful dessert, remember, in the world of words, "doughnut" reigns supreme, especially when the ink hits the paper.
