Difference Between Despatch & Dispatch

Despatch vs Dispatch

Many people find the words despatch and dispatch confusing, as they may worry about using the incorrect spelling. However, both spellings are correct and have the same meanings. The difference lies in the fact that British English favors the word despatch, while American English uses the word dispatch. According to the Oxford dictionary, both spellings are correct and are synonymous for all meanings of the word.

Key Takeaways

• Both despatch and dispatch are correct spellings and have the same meanings.
• British English favors the word despatch, while American English uses the word dispatch.
• No American would ever use the spelling despatch, though many Britons have started to use dispatch due to its worldwide popularity.

More on Dispatch and Despatch…

The different spellings can be explained by variations in American and British English, such as the use of color instead of colour in America. While despatch was a more popular variant in the early nineteenth century, modern writings prefer dispatch over despatch. Despatch has mostly disappeared from modern language, although the British still use it occasionally, as they believe it is the correct spelling.

Some believe that the British preference for despatch over dispatch comes from the phrase “Despatch Box,” which refers to the lectern in the British House of Commons. It is estimated that despatch appears in place of dispatch about a third of the time.

Some British publications occasionally use despatch as the noun meaning of the act of sending. However, the Oxford English dictionary identifies both dispatch and despatch as words that can be used as nouns and verbs. There is no rule stating that despatch is the noun form of dispatch in grammar books.

In terms of history, dispatch came into use in the early 16th century, likely from either the Italian word “dispacciare” or the Spanish word “despachar.” Additionally, there is another noun derived from the word dispatch: dispatcher.

What is the difference between Despatch and Dispatch?

• The difference between despatch and dispatch is simple: despatch is another spelling used by the British for the word dispatch. Although dispatch has gained prominence and popularity over despatch, there are still occasions where British people use the spelling despatch instead of dispatch.
• Americans never use the spelling despatch.
• Occasionally, British publications use the word dispatch as the noun meaning of the act of sending.

In conclusion, whether you use the word despatch or dispatch, they both mean the same act of sending, and no one can say that you have spelled it incorrectly. Although no American would ever use the spelling despatch, many Britons have started to use dispatch due to its popularity worldwide.