Most interesting.
I was wondering if both the -mme ending was used originally for both
programme and diagram but because diagram (until the advent of radio)
was used far more than programme, the 'me' had been dropped in a period
before spelling had been standardised.
Personally I think the Americans have the right idea in spelling it thus
'program'. I try now to avoid the work unless I'm writing about a
computer program.
David
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Higginbotham
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 23 April 2004 09:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Spelling
According to the OED, it's from the French "diagramme" and Latin
"diagramma". However, -mme is not given as an alternative spelling and
only one of the many illustrative quotes (from 1662) uses the -mme form.
Peter Higginbotham
----- Original Message -----
From: "GATLEY David A" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 8:52 AM
Subject: Spelling
> Does anyone know if 'diagram' was originally spelt 'diagramme'?
>
> If so why was the 'me' dropped from it, but not (in the UK) from
> programme.
>
> David
>
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