Tire vs. Tyre

[amorak]

Originally Posted by Barnes

Irregardless.

[amorak]

BUY MY CAR, it helped ban a troll!

[icarus]

Originally Posted by valo403

I saw tire used all over Australia

Really? Where? The Australian websites for Bridgestone, Michelin, Dunlop, Goodyear all spell it 'tyre'. Google doesn't seem to bring up any instances of 'tire' in Australia.

My Australian girlfriend even asked me why we spell it 'tire' when we were in Calgary over Christmas.

[jazzman172]

That is as uniquely Canadian as Moose, Mounties, and Maple Syrup

[valo403]

Originally Posted by icarus

Really? Where? The Australian websites for Bridgestone, Michelin, Dunlop, Goodyear all spell it 'tyre'. Google doesn't seem to bring up any instances of 'tire' in Australia.

My Australian girlfriend even asked me why we spell it 'tire' when we were in Calgary over Christmas.

Well it's been a few years since I've spent significant time down there, but I recall seeing it on signs and in shops. I worked in an industrial park in South Sydney and there were definitely signs using 'tire' at some of the auto shops. Maybe I just subconsiously translated all tyre references to tire.

If I'd have been a member of CP back then I would have paid closer attention, as I'd have anticipated this type of absurd debate arising at some point.

[NBC]

I can tell you that every automotive repair shop, garage and places that sell vulcanized rubber here in SE England advertise and spell 'tyre'. And from what I have seen over the past number of years, it is the same in the rest of the UK as well.

Not sure how anyone can say that 'tyre' isn't recognized or in use anymore. Or is it recognised? Now I'm confused.

[Temporary_User]

my 2c:

Unless you are new to Canada/US and haven't quite learned yet, there is really no excuse to use tyre. It is not used over here.
To me it is like the people who call soccer football (futball?); you sound like an idiot over here.

Growing up I was taught Z as zee, and now re-learning it as zed is often difficult when spelling things out loud. I often catch myself about to say zee. Obviously everyone knows what I mean when I say zee (one difference from the soccer example, but similar to tire) but it is not correct, so I try not to use it.

[NBC]

I think that the real point here is the belief that one form of English, either written or spoken is 'more correct' than another. People in the US call 'Z' zee as opposed to zed. That's fine. If people want to call it aeroplane (UK) instead of airplane, great. Color without the superfluous 'U', no problem. Inserting or omitting the last 'I' in alumin(i)um, why not?

It is especially difficult for most people to have their spelling (regional) and/or pronunciation of certain words, critiqued by other fellow English-speakers, provided that what they are pronouncing or spelling is correct in their particular region. Living in the UK, I get that from some Brits, usually in jest. If one wants to gain some sort of linguistic 'high ground' because they believe their version of a common language is inherently superior, it absolutely reeks of elitism and pretense. Someone commented earlier that a lot of Europeans speak better English than some Canadians, quite possibly. But over here, in the home of English, I believe it is far more of an issue. With the rise of Estuary English, more and more young people in the UK are becoming less intelligible in their abilities to converse with others. Most Scandinavians and Flemish people have better pronunciation and understanding of English than these people do, and that is taking into account these niche colloquial expressions that abound throughout all regions of the UK.

I'm of the belief that there is not a right or better type of English, written or spoken. Languages evolve and adapt, which is why there are lots of differences between countries. While it may be confusing at first when someone is talking about a boot, bonnet, lorry, crisp or football, in most cases comprehension is not far behind.

[Temporary_User]

To answer your pre-edit questions: "do the British really look like idiots when they call soccer football in NA?"
No the british and people other countries don't most of the time, some may just not know, and others may simply have forgotten at the time.
It moreso comes across as a stubborn thing for people to do. A Canadian for being a bigger soccer fan than NA football, so refusing to acknowledge NA football and constantly refer to soccer as football, initially confusing people in the process.
I don't know if it happens, but it would be like a British chap being a bigger fan of NA football over soccer and thus always refering to NA football as simply football and calling football soccer over there.

EDIT: I may have derailed the thread a bit here. As long as people understand what you're trying to say then it is typically fine.
my main point is to learn the customs of the country you are visiting and use them whenever possible.

[NBC]

Yeah, I screwed up with the editing. Went to edit, and ended up deleting. Sorry about that.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by troutman

Tyres are for driving on the left side of the road.

Jolly good, old chap!

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

[troutman]

^^^^
Tira.

[YourMother]

^^^^
^^^^
Tyra.

[Kybosh]

^^^^
^^^^
^^^^
Missed the joke.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Recognized by who? Who is this mythical authority on what is and is not a word in English?

Some English nerds sitting in a university somewhere trying to be relevant.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by icarus

My Australian girlfriend even asked me why we spell it 'tire' when we were in Calgary over Christmas.

Someone on the internet with a girlfriend? HA!

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

Growing up I was taught Z as zee, and now re-learning it as zed is often difficult when spelling things out loud. I often catch myself about to say zee.

Just to make sure, you're calling them "zedbras", right? And listen to "zed zed top"?

Anywhoo, my manual clearly states 'tyres'. Either way, I bought 'tires' for my car. They haven't fallen off yet, so I assume they're the same thing.

[NBC]

Lynyrd Skynyrd?

[icarus]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Just to make sure, you're calling them "zedbras", right? And listen to "zed zed top"?

While reclining on his Lay-Zed Boy sofa... (or chesterfield).