A Sudden Noisy Stopping Of The Breath This Word Can Be Spelt In Two Ways

The shorter and now more common spelling, , is widely considered the standard form in modern English. It is the preferred spelling in most American dictionaries and is increasingly dominating in British English as well.

The word you are looking for is , which is also commonly spelled as hiccough . Both versions refer to the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm that causes a sudden, noisy intake of breath. Spelling Variations The shorter and now more common spelling, ,

(modern) “He got the hiccups after drinking soda too fast.” Both versions refer to the involuntary contraction of

The dual spelling of this word is a classic example of —where a word's spelling changes based on a mistaken belief about its origin. Share this article with a friend who still

Do you have a linguistic debate about another word with two spellings? Share this article with a friend who still writes “hiccough” and help them see the light.

The next time you find yourself with "a sudden noisy stopping of the breath," you can take comfort in knowing that your body is simply performing a phonetic feat. Whether you reach for the modern or the more formal hiccough , you’re participating in a linguistic history as jerky and unpredictable as the spasm itself.

(archaic / stylistic) “A sudden hiccough interrupted her speech, much to her embarrassment.”