Sensational spelling
Encyclopedia
Sensational spelling is the deliberate spelling
of a word in an incorrect or non-standard way for special effect.
" (fruit) may use unexpected spellings to draw attention to or trademark an otherwise common word. It has also occasionally been used to dodge regulations which dictate how much of an ingredient a product must contain in order to be featured on the label. In video games, the best-known example of sensational spelling would be the franchise name Mortal Kombat, in which the word "combat" is deliberately misspelled by replacing the hard C sound with the letter K
.
.
, in which "led" may be read as either a misspelling of "[the metallic element] lead" or a description of the aircraft as being guided in a specific direction (cf. "dirigible").
The deliberate misspelling of words in album or song titles has its origins in early 1970s rock, such as Sly & The Family Stone
's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
(1970)", and especially that of the band Slade
(e.g. "Coz I Luv You" [1971], "Mama Weer All Crazee Now
" [1972]). However, in the 1980s it became common with funk artists such as Prince
(e.g. "All the Critics Love U In New York", "I Would Die 4 U"), and eventually came to be epitomized in the rap and hip-hop genres, with both song titles (e.g. Kiss Me Thru the Phone
) and artists' names (e.g. Ludacris
, Phanatik
, Gorillaz
) using the form. Sensational spelling was common amongst nu metal
bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s (e.g. Korn
and Limp Bizkit
).
An influential hard-rock magazine of the 1970s-80's was Creem
.
is often spelled "magick" to differentiate it from stage magic
.
Spelling
Spelling is the writing of one or more words with letters and diacritics. In addition, the term often, but not always, means an accepted standard spelling or the process of naming the letters...
of a word in an incorrect or non-standard way for special effect.
Branding
Sensational spellings are common in advertising and product placement. In particular, brand names such as Cadbury's "Creme Egg" (standard English spelling: cream) or Blu-ray (blue) or Kellogg's "Froot LoopsFroot Loops
Froot Loops is a brand of breakfast cereal produced by Kellogg's and sold in Hungary, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the United States, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Germany, The Middle East, The Caribbean, South Africa, Latin America, Sweden and Finland...
" (fruit) may use unexpected spellings to draw attention to or trademark an otherwise common word. It has also occasionally been used to dodge regulations which dictate how much of an ingredient a product must contain in order to be featured on the label. In video games, the best-known example of sensational spelling would be the franchise name Mortal Kombat, in which the word "combat" is deliberately misspelled by replacing the hard C sound with the letter K
Hard and soft C
In the Latin-based orthographies of many European languages , a distinction between hard and soft ⟨c⟩ occurs in which ⟨c⟩ represents two distinct phonemes...
.
Popular culture
Sensational spelling may take on a cult value in popular culture. An example of this is the heavy metal umlautHeavy metal umlaut
A metal umlaut is a diaeresis that is sometimes used gratuitously or decoratively over letters in the names of hard rock or heavy metal bands—for example those of Mötley Crüe and Motörhead...
.
Music
During the 1960s, bands often included in their names misspelled words and/or homophones that played on double meanings of the names as spoken. Examples include the Beatles, an intentional misspelling of "Beetles," and Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, in which "led" may be read as either a misspelling of "[the metallic element] lead" or a description of the aircraft as being guided in a specific direction (cf. "dirigible").
The deliberate misspelling of words in album or song titles has its origins in early 1970s rock, such as Sly & The Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music...
's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
"Thank You " is a 1969 hit single recorded by Sly and the Family Stone, recognized as one of the greatest and most influential funk songs of all time. The song, double a-sided with "Everybody Is a Star", reached number one on the soul single charts for five weeks, and reached number one on the...
(1970)", and especially that of the band Slade
Slade
Slade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
(e.g. "Coz I Luv You" [1971], "Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
"Mama Weer All Crazee Now" is a popular song originally recorded by the British Glam rock band Slade on their album Slayed?.Written by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's third number-one single in the United Kingdom. The single entered the charts on its first...
" [1972]). However, in the 1980s it became common with funk artists such as Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
(e.g. "All the Critics Love U In New York", "I Would Die 4 U"), and eventually came to be epitomized in the rap and hip-hop genres, with both song titles (e.g. Kiss Me Thru the Phone
Kiss Me Thru the Phone
"Kiss Me Thru the Phone" is a song from hip-hop artist Soulja Boy released as the second single from his 2008 album iSouljaBoyTellem. It is currently the best-selling single from the album, reaching #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the U.S. Rap Charts, the top ten in the United Kingdom and...
) and artists' names (e.g. Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Phanatik
Phanatik
Brady Goodwin Jr. a.k.a. “Phanatik” is an author and Christian hip-hop artist who has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the two time Grammy nominated group The Cross Movement. Phanatik is signed to Cross Movement Records. His debut album entitled The Incredible Walk, was...
, Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
) using the form. Sensational spelling was common amongst nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s (e.g. Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
and Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
).
An influential hard-rock magazine of the 1970s-80's was Creem
Creem
Creem , "America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine," was a monthly rock 'n' roll publication first published in March 1969 by Barry Kramer and founding editor Tony Reay. It suspended production in 1989 but received a short-lived renaissance in the early 1990s as a glossy tabloid...
.
Other
In esoteric circles, magicMagic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
is often spelled "magick" to differentiate it from stage magic
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
.