How to spell 'lens'

[John Camp]

One lens is spelled: LENS.

If you have more than one lens, you have LENSES.

You do NOT have a LENSE. There are a few dictionaries which allow 'lense' as a secondary, non-preferred version of 'lens', but those dictionaries are wrong and the people who wrote them are stupid.

If you misplace something, you LOSE it. One 'O.'
If you're a slacker, you're a LOSER. One 'O.'

If your clothes are not tight, they are "LOOSE."
If you want to make them even less tight, then you want to make them "LOOSER."

Don't make me come over there with my pointer and hit you on the head.

JC

 

[ch1]

One lens is spelled: LENS.

If you have more than one lens, you have LENSES.

You do NOT have a LENSE. There are a few dictionaries which allow 'lense' as a secondary, non-preferred version of 'lens', but those dictionaries are wrong and the people who wrote them are stupid.

If you misplace something, you LOSE it. One 'O.'
If you're a slacker, you're a LOSER. One 'O.'

If your clothes are not tight, they are "LOOSE."
If you want to make them even less tight, then you want to make them "LOOSER."

Don't make me come over there with my pointer and hit you on the head.

JC

This too used to drive me crazy. I have seen innumberable eBay listings for a camera with a "lense".

From the many listings I've looked at, this alternative form of spelling seems most prevalent in the U.S. South and particularly in Texas. Almost every such listing from those places uses the "lense" spelling to describe a single optical piece.

The fluid nature of the English language is such that constant usage of a word form often results in its "acceptance" as correct. I am beginning to "accept" that the alternative spelling of "lense" is so pervasive as to have achieved such a status.

 

[BJ Bignell]

Wow, what inspired this? Bad spelling is irritating, but somebunny has had their fill, methinks! (I think I just added two more words to your "not in the dictionary" list. 😀)

Just remember to be sensitive to the fact that not all of the members here are native English speakers, and may make mistakes sometimes. But to all of the native English speakers: There is no excuse, and yes, we are coming to get you. 😉

 

[physiognomy]

Someone rolled out on the grumpy side of the bed 😀 😀 😀

How do you stand on tyre/tire, colour/color, etc, etc, etc.... Please take this light hartedly...

Regards,

Peter

 

[Pherdinand]

You know, if a LENSE is cheaper or in better shape than a LENS of the same type, i am willing to make a compromise. 😀

But you are ryght, people should learn to spel.

By the way, another mistake often seen is the "were" and where" confusion, as well as "were" and "we're"

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

The one I hate is "alot" -- it's two words!

 

[kbg32]

Yes, spelling I see bothers me a bit. I can overlook it. It's funny sometimes. The other thing that bothered me was I was reading a post yesterday on tne M7. I thought it was about the Leica M7. As I was reading I figured out the posts were about the M7 , the M7 - "Mamiya 7". I have never heard it refered to as M7 before. A little confusing.

 

[Pherdinand]

Howeva, w the rise of the SMS and e-mail culture, there's kinda new lang dev'ed 4 ppl 2 lazy or 2 cheap 2 write full words n sentences. U 2 must admit it is handy and acceptable within this context, even if it might lead to a certain level of analphabecy.

 

[KoNickon]

I had noticed myself that of the "native" English speakers, it did seem that most who misspelled "lens" as "lense" did come from the South, but being a Northeastern elite I just assumed it was because the educational systems down there weren't up to standards. (I'm kidding!!) But if this somehow is going to become an accepted variant spelling, I've got a problem with that. (How would you then pronounce it -- to rhyme with "tense"?)

Interestingly, the word is related to "lentil" -- those little fellows apparently looked like lenses to somebody way back when, so the name stuck. Likewise, those cloud formations you often see suspended over mountain peaks are known as lenticular clouds, for the same reason.

 

[Socke]

Oh yeah, the english language. Since we have some experts here,

do I go to the theatre and shoot color or better to the theater and shoot colour? And is my flat an apartment?

I think I go to the fridge and fetch a beer from the icebox.

 

[Pherdinand]

Lentil seeds DO look like simple planeconvex lenses.

They certainly do NOT look like my 17mm Tokina SLR lens, though.

 

[BJ Bignell]

...tyre/tire, colour/color, etc, etc, etc....

It's tire with an "i". Don't use the "y", it's just wrong.

As for colour, neighbour, odour, etc etc etc. The "u" belongs there; you know it does. It'll be less painful for you in the end if you just stop fighting it right now.

 

[BJ Bignell]

Oh yeah, the english language. Since we have some experts here,

do I go to the theatre and shoot color or better to the theater and shoot colour? And is my flat an apartment?

I think I go to the fridge and fetch a beer from the icebox.

It should be "theatre", probably because we stole the word from the French. It's "colour" (see my previous post). Your flat is a flat, or an apartment; you get to decide that one.

And finally, it's an "electric icebox". Please try to be more precise.



I'm not an expert, but my opinion matters. You should listen to me. 😀

 

[BJ Bignell]

Interestingly, the word is related to "lentil" -- those little fellows apparently looked like lenses to somebody way back when, so the name stuck. Likewise, those cloud formations you often see suspended over mountain peaks are known as lenticular clouds, for the same reason.

Probably originally from the French word, lentille?

 

[markinlondon]

It's tire with an "i". Don't use the "y", it's just wrong.

Oh no it isn't. Let's just not get started on sulphur, eh? 🙂

Mark

 

[Rich Silfver]

Oh yeah, the english language. Since we have some experts here,

do I go to the theatre and shoot color or better to the theater and shoot colour? And is my flat an apartment?

I think I go to the fridge and fetch a beer from the icebox.

Personally I go to the theatre and shoot colour and then go back to my apartment. I'm a mix 🙂

 

[ch1]

Lentil seeds DO look like simple planeconvex lenses.

They certainly do NOT look like my 17mm Tokina SLR lens, though.

Does this similarity in appearance explain GAS?

 

[BJ Bignell]

Oh no it isn't. Let's just not get started on sulphur, eh? 🙂

Mark

There's nothing wrong with the way you spelled "sulphur"... Wait, was that a trick question?

All this heavy discussion has me down; I think I'll cheer myself up with a trip to eBay for a new lense.

 

[RML]

isn't Ferdinand supposed to start with F rather than "Ph"? 😉

Nope, it starts with a C. 😛

 

[RayPA]

...

You do NOT have a LENSE. ...
...

JC

This use to annoy me, but only in the sense that it kept popping up from more than one source, causing me to pause. I think I remember reading a European-based periodical (or website, or something) , or an old advertisement, wherein it was used throughout. I figured there was some basis to it.

The 'looser' thing is just plain idiotic. I've seen online flame-wars where one person calls the other a looser. :bang: It's the online equivalent of making the shape of an 'L' with your finger and thumb and putting that on your forehead. You get the idea, but the person doing it looks like the bigger fool.

🙂