I prefer, "smidgeon" without knowing why. Does anyone know where the "e" came from? I have always preferred British spelling to American. It only makes sense that England should know English better than anyone. It's funny, though. I have spelled and pronounced words according to British English (that sounds so redundant) since I was a child. I believe that I'm of Irish, Scottish and English descent (heavy on the Irish), but mayhap there is more than a smidgeon of English blood in my veins.
Smidgeon or Smidgen?
- Thread starter Moondog68
- Start date
I've never seen it spelt with an 'O'.
Hello, @Moondog68. Welcome to the forum.
smidgen - WordReference.com Dictionary of English
The WR dictionary has 2 definition lists from US English (AE), then one ("Collins") from UK English (BE).
This page says that in AE, there are three correct spellings: smidgen, smidgin, smidgeon
This page says that in BE, there are two correct spellings: smidgen, smidgin
Here is a graph showing American English usage (in printed books) since 1950:
Google Books Ngram Viewer
The spelling "smidgen" seems to have an advantage, though "smidgeon" is used about 20%.
smidgen - WordReference.com Dictionary of English
The WR dictionary has 2 definition lists from US English (AE), then one ("Collins") from UK English (BE).
This page says that in AE, there are three correct spellings: smidgen, smidgin, smidgeon
This page says that in BE, there are two correct spellings: smidgen, smidgin
I've always seen it spelled "smidgeon". Maybe it is regional. I grew up west of New York City (in the suburbs) then went to college in Boston, and lived in Massachusetts later on.
Here is a graph showing American English usage (in printed books) since 1950:
Google Books Ngram Viewer
The spelling "smidgen" seems to have an advantage, though "smidgeon" is used about 20%.
Last edited:
Well, the -geon ending is prcedented by dungeon, curmudgeon, bludgeon and pigeon, so that familiarity might have influenced the situation a smid oh, wait, just a tad. Wigeon also sometimes has a d.
I'm familiar with both of these.
I was born in the Midwest, and lived there until I was 28.
Would you clarify your question, please, Moondog68?
Are you asking about the origin of the spelling of 'smidgeon'?
Or are you asking which spelling is considered correct?
Are you asking about the origin of the spelling of 'smidgeon'?
Or are you asking which spelling is considered correct?