Last year, I stumbled upon an article on Huffington Post titled “20 Book Titles With One Letter Missing” and was shocked at how hilariously different each story was. (The Davinci Cod might be equally as complex as the original but the title sounds a bit too fishy.) Recently, I began to wonder what other words could be made drastically different by the removal, addition, or change of a single letter. I realize this can encompass a lot of words, but there are some specific ones that constantly trip me up.

1) Demur vs. Demure

Demur without the “e” means “to object or hesitate” whereas demure means “modest” or “shy.” The former is frequently used in the court of law to describe someone who resists questioning or refuses to comply with orders. By claiming that the quiet boy in the back of the room is demurring, then, you are not pointing out his reserved nature. Rather, you are suggesting that he is being disruptive and should go to the principal’s office for evading the teacher’s questions.

2) Cannon vs. Canon

One of these words describes a general law or principle while the other is used to shoot giant metal balls at pirate ships and ancient castles. One of them is widely used in literature classes; the other, in dangerous circus stunts. If you’re thinking that the latter is “cannon” you’d be correct. (If you’re thinking that the former is cannon, I’ll need the number of your English teacher because shooting cannons off in class hardly seems safe.) The difference between these terms may seem obvious but it makes all the difference when you’re writing an essay or trying to launch Evel Knievel into the air.

3) Crummy vs. Crumby

Unless Holden Caulfield was secretly a fan of brittle cookies, he was likely using the word “crummy” throughout his angsty tale, which means “shabby” or “miserable,” not “crumby,” meaning “tending to break into crumbs.” (And by “he was likely using the word crummy” I mean he was using the word crummy, because I just checked.) The latter has been used in recent years as a synonym for crumbly. For easy reference: Nature’s Valley bars are crumby. Vending machines that steal your Nature’s Valley bar are crummy.

4) Faun vs. Fawn

A fawn is a young animal, usually a deer, that you might’ve seen in your backyard. A fawn, you may also see in your backyard, assuming you live in Narnia or some other mythical world. Fauns are half-goat, half-human hybrids that also happen to be Gods of the forest. They’re known for guiding humans to safety or, sometimes, scaring lonely travelers, depending on their mood. Fawns don’t typically have the same desire to help us out, but considering humans spend most of the time trying to hunt them down, it’s understandable.

5) Guild vs. Gild

As it turns out, one “u” can make all the difference. Guild refers to an association of people who share similar interests. Gild, on the other hand, describes something that is covered in gold. The famous Gilded Age (1870-1900) was given its name by Mark Twain due to the number of social and political problems that were supposedly hidden under a façade of happiness, like a golden outer shell.

6) Hurtle vs. Hurdle

Someone who hurtles moves with great speed. Someone who hurdles jumps over large posts. Someone who hurtles at hurdles jumps over large posts quickly and with a greater chance of dramatically face-planting into the ground. In short, you can hurtle, and you can hurdle, but don’t hurtle and hurdle.

Tyler lives in a not-so-tiny suburb outside of Boston and is currently studying the power of words at Wheaton College. She enjoys stalking the aisles of Barnes and Noble, burning non-flammable foods, and referencing TV shows that nobody likes anymore. She also speaks in the third person and occasionally updates her Twitter @HeyThereFuture and blog.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1576543263 Michael L. Quillin

Here’s another: discreet vs. discrete. Also, secrete vs. secret.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1528988279 Sia Kahleah

There is actually another use for desert, as in to leave an area. I have seen many use this with the double “ss”. Also, for those that need help with this, I once had an English teacher who said ‘remember that one wants “two scoops” or two s’s for his/her dessert.’

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1329468099 Alyssa Lladoc

No. 3 though.. haha!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=673863252 Marleen Larik

Of course, rogue and rouge are pronounced completely differently… the “g” is followed by the “u” (or not) for a reason. Once you’ve looked at the actual letters in both words once, I don’t understand how this could ever be a problem :\

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=572380033 Aaron Wonnacott

If they are spelled incorrectly they make a big difference, which is the point of this article. If you were writing a paper about a rogue officer and you spelled it “rouge” every time, you can see how your meaning would be off.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=510541157 Sarah Beth Hall

Cantor vs. Canter A cantor is a hired singer often in Catholic or Jewish churches who sings liturgical music. CantER is the three beat gait of a horse. (think trotting)

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003721276645 Milton Meneses

one letter change an entire course

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=505063104 Mal R L Marchand

“A fawn is a young animal, usually a deer, that you might’ve seen in your backyard. A fawn, you may also see in your backyard, assuming you live in Narnia or some other mythical world.”

I think one of those “fawns” needs to be changed, no? Editing is important ladies!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=682025633 Emily McBride

That got me, two. Ironic mistake considering the hole point of the article…

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=510541157 Sarah Beth Hall

people like you irritate me, Mal. Don’t be a troll. Just take the article for what it is. Good grief.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=621560982 Chrissy McNamara

But isn’t that the whole point of the article?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=732668828 Lauriane Giroux

HI!
In your Rogue vs Rouge did you know that rouge actually means red and Rose means pink in French.

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