Here's Why Americans Spell Differently to Australians And Brits

If you’ve ever argued over whether it’s color or colour, center or centre, or why Americans drop the “u” while Brits cling to it, you’re not alone.

The English language has been a battleground of spelling differences for centuries, and while it may seem like a trivial quirk, the reason behind it is surprisingly political.

In fact, one man’s obsession with language reshaped how an entire country spells words today.

This isn’t just about spelling. It’s about identity, rebellion, and the power of one dictionary to define a nation’s linguistic future.

The Origins of English’s Spelling Chaos

To understand why American and British spellings diverged, we need to look at the messy evolution of the English language.

Unlike languages that have a single, clear origin, English is a hodgepodge of influences—Latin, Germanic, Norse, and especially French.

After the Norman invasion of 1066, French heavily influenced English spelling, which is why we have words like honour, colour, and favour, following French conventions.

Then came the printing press.

With no standardized spelling system, different regions spelled words however they pleased.

It wasn’t until 1755 that Samuel Johnson, a British lexicographer, published A Dictionary of the English Language, which set the first “official” spelling rules for British English.

But across the Atlantic, a new nation was forming—and with it, a new linguistic identity.

The Man Who Rewrote English: Noah Webster

Enter Noah Webster, an American patriot and language reformer who decided that American English needed a clean break from British spelling traditions.

To him, British spellings were unnecessarily complicated and inconsistent.

He believed that a young, independent America should have a language that was simpler, more logical, and distinctly American.

Webster took matters into his own hands and published The American Spelling Book in 1783, followed by An American Dictionary of the English Language in 1828.

These works didn’t just document American English—they created it.

What Changed?

Webster simplified English spelling to make it more phonetically logical. Some of his changes stuck, while others were too radical to gain traction.

Here’s what he changed successfully:

Dropped the “u”: Colour → Color, honour → Honor
Simplified endings: Defence → Defense, licence → License
Changed “-re” to “-er”: Centre → Center, metre → Meter
Ax instead of Axe: A small but significant simplification

But some of his wilder proposals didn’t catch on.

Webster originally wanted to spell women as “wimmin,” soup as “soop,” and thumb as “thum.” Thankfully, these didn’t stick.

Is American Spelling Actually More Logical?

At this point, you might be thinking: Webster made spelling simpler, so why didn’t the Brits follow? Here’s where things get interesting.

Contrary to popular belief, British spellings aren’t more correct—they just follow historical traditions.

Webster argued that words should be spelled as they sound, and he had a point.

Why should “centre” be spelled like that when no one actually pronounces the “re”?

Why keep a silent “u” in colour if it serves no real phonetic purpose?

Yet, the British clung to their spellings as a matter of cultural identity.

To them, dropping the “u” and simplifying words felt like “dumbing down” the language.

Ironically, many of Webster’s changes were closer to how English was originally spelled before French influence.

English Spelling Wars

Fast-forward to today, and the spelling divide remains strong.

British English dominates in the UK, Australia, Canada, and parts of Africa, while American English prevails in the U.S. and is heavily influencing international business, technology, and media.

However, the internet is blurring the lines. American spellings are creeping into British usage thanks to Google, Microsoft, Hollywood, and social media.

Even in the UK, “color” and “center” are no longer shocking to see.