Talk:despatch

Is it worth noting that this term is very very rare in the US? In the US, this is considered a spelling error. I can't tell from google if this is common in the commonwealth countries, or just the UK. Also, is it used only for certain types of dispatches? The google search I did seemed to emphasize automotive/livery uses of the term. --Connel MacKenzie 21:31, 4 May 2005 (UTC)


 * I guess it is worth noting that this spelling is rare. But I think this information should be included on the dispatch page where this spelling variant is mentioned, not here (usual reason: don't scatter information over different pages). Ncik 05 May 2005


 * What? Never mind.  Listing it as archaic (i.e. still used, but only when one wants to sound pompous or ridiculous) unless evedence is offered otherwise.  --Connel MacKenzie T C 03:52, 3 June 2006 (UTC)


 * It's rare but not archaic in the UK and Ireland. The Oxford English Dictionary lists it simply as an alternative spelling without suggesting it is archaic. A quick Google search shows plenty of modern uses in UK-based sites - too many to be a spelling error. Rbreen 10:03, 21 July 2006 (UTC)


 * As an English English speaker, I consider "despatch" the correct spelling when the meaning is to send something, but when meaning "message" it should be spelled "dispatch" and has a different pronunciation. I find it annoying when e-commerce sites use "dispatch" to mean sending goods, and have always assumed this was because the software was American. But I could be wrong & I would be interested to hear views from some English experts! NNK 11/12/08


 * Cambridge Adv. Learners, Longmans DCE, MWOnline, Encarta No. Amer. ed., all just show it as alt spelling, except MWOnline shows it as "chiefly UK". I have no access to other, UK-flavored dictionaries. OED settles most disagreements. DCDuring TALK 22:13, 11 December 2008 (UTC)


 * From the OED dispatch, despatch, v.: "The uniform English spelling from the first introduction of the word to the early part of the 19th c. was with dis-; but in Johnson's Dictionary the word was somehow entered under des- (although Johnson himself always wrote dispatch, which is also the spelling of all the authors cited by him); though this has, since c 1820, introduced diversity into current usage, dispatch is to be preferred, as at once historical, and in accordance with English analogy; for even if this word had begun in ME. with a form in des- from OF. (which it did not), it would regularly have been spelt dis- by 1500: see DES-, DIS-, prefixes." Don't know if this clears it up, but I hope it helps. Personally, I've had "despatch" used in emails regarding delivery of goods, but am regularly picked up on its use by "grammar nazis"... (not sure if it's improper to have added this here, remove it if I've done wrong...) Tr00st 23:56, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

In Sydney, Australia, I believe the general usage is that "despatch" is the verb (to ship something), and "dispatch" is the noun (a message). This is not strictly observed - many people use the words interchangeably, though "despatch" is the main spelling. The two spellings are pronounced differently. --Surturz 00:36, 17 February 2010 (UTC)

I'd agree. "Despatch" is commonly used in Australia as a verb and "dispatch" as the noun. It's the way I've used them for the past 50+ years. RLB 27/11/11

Iam still confused! my way of expressing send off word is DESPATCH, but seen people using DISPATCH. Though it represents Goods or Messages there will common way to spell some word. Would be highly appreciated if someone judge my word and suggest me which would highly accurate to use. PGB