Why is Sheriff spelled with two "f"s but Marshal is spelled with only one "l"? An issue to...

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Why is Sheriff spelled with two "f"s but Marshal is spelled with only one "l"? An issue to ponder.

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Arnoldjrmmer · 56-60, M

Sheriff is derived from the old English word scīrgerēfa (middle English Shire reeve)
Marshal comes to English by way of high German (via the French) word marahscal - the servant that tends the horses.

Spelling oddities usuall come out of what path the word took to end up in the English language.

Mamapolo2016 · F

😂 This is a peaceful place. Why would you introduce such controversy?

While you’re at it, explain why restaurant has the “au” in the middle but it’s pronounced at the end?

😂😂

ElwoodBlues · M

@HumbleGuy Yeah, whatever you do, please don't ask why 'woman' is pronounced the way it's spelled, but 'women' is pronounced 'wimmin.' Just don't ask!!!

Mamapolo2016 · F

@ElwoodBlues I will not. However we do it is the right way to do it and I walk the line.

KarenisKenziesmum · 51-55, F

It's just the way it is. I've always accepted convention when it comes to spelling.

DDonde · 31-35, M

I don't know, but this one dictionary says Marshal is from French, so that's probably something to do with it.

bijouxbroussard · F

I always wondered why the name is spelled with two "l"s, but the noun is not.

View 12 more replies »

bijouxbroussard · F

@KarenisKenziesmum Wow, and I thought I was sensitive.

KarenisKenziesmum · 51-55, F

@bijouxbroussard You seem like a very strange person to me.

bijouxbroussard · F

@KarenisKenziesmum Well, the feeling is pretty mutual at this point. So, you can block me or we can go on about our respective businesses.

Either way, have a good day.

ElwoodBlues · M

You can also spell it this way: Martial

Vin53 · M

@ElwoodBlues Like there's 3 ways to spell peak.

KarenisKenziesmum · 51-55, F

@ElwoodBlues Are you sure that's not a different word?

ElwoodBlues · M

@KarenisKenziesmum Agreed! Different word, same pronunciation. In conversation (or speech to text), you can't determine which word without additional context.