Why is laser spelt with an 's'

[jason harris]

Silly thread really but for some reason it interested me. I am in NZ so most of the time I spell words with a 's' instead of a 'z'.


I am too lazy to change my computers spell checker so I am always seeing the computer tell me I have spelt things incorrectly when I use an s.

So I wondered, why is laser universally spelt with an s. Why don't americans spell it lazer? Dont you guys feel strange putting an S there as I feel strange if I use a Z where an S is common for us?

OK, thats my stupid thread.

[George M. Perzel]

light amplified simulated emission radiation

[dave hensley]

Here ya go...

The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

More info here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser

[Steven Cox]

OK, thats my stupid thread.

Can't argue with you there! LOL. I think you'll find that laser is spelt laser world wide, even here in Australia but I've always wondered why the Kiwi's always what to change the english language. Example why do you say Sex for the number six and refer to fish and chips as fish and chups???? Both of these are questions that my Kiwi mates avoid to answer.

[Jason Roehl]

Not to split hairs (which would be easiest with a laser, I suspect), but the proper decoding of the acronym is, "Light Amplified by Stimulated Emission of Radiation".

[jason harris]

Of course, I didn't even think of laser being an acronym.

I dont want to spell it with a z. Spelling things with a z feels like I am doing things with the wrong hand.

Steve, its common that when shopping, kiwis will get asked by lovely ladies in a store how many items we want. We say six please. We are not asking for 6.

[jason harris]

PS Steve, when you guys come over here and say 'I want a router' to the lady at the computer shop you might get a slap

[Doug Griffith]

Isn't "spelt" a type of wheat?

[jason harris]

My dictionary says that spelt is chiefly british instead of spelled. I guess we took the short cut this time.

[Brian Kent]

I understand why we spell it "laser" but why do we pronounce it "lazer"? Are we just getting lasy?

[Dan Hintz]

Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways... ?

[mickey cassiba]

Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways... ?

There you go Dan, stirrin' the pot.

[Chuck Stone]

Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways... ?

" The other night I came home late, and tried to unlock my house with my car keys.
I started the house up. So, I drove it around for a while. I was speeding, and a cop
pulled me over. He asked where I lived. I said, "Right here, officer". Later, I parked it
on the freeway, got out, and yelled at all the cars, "Get out of my driveway!"---Steven Wright

[Bill Cunningham]

Just to hedge my bets, I secured my domain name with a 's' and with a 'z' the 'z' gets autorouted (slap) to the 's'

[Steven Cox]

My dictionary says that spelt is chiefly british instead of spelled. I guess we took the short cut this time.

The one thing this forum lacks is spell check.... where's the spell check... I miss that!

To cover myself I always say to people I'm a Graphic Artist not a Typist. Also, when you guys are here we forgive the language indiscretions and just find the pronunciation very amusing, I’m sure with the tables turned the “ladies” would just say “your an aussie aren’t you” and I’d avoid the slap. LOL.