Is it 'flotation' or 'floatation?'
Jul 31, 2012 | 11:46 pm
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Costco Club
Posts: 1,609
Is it 'flotation' or 'floatation?'
I've seen it spelled both ways on planes, which is the proper spelling, 'flotation' or 'floatation'?
Aug 1, 2012 | 12:09 am
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
The spelling "flotation" seems to be the preferred one in both British and US dictionaries, with "floatation" given as an acceptable alternative.
Aug 1, 2012 | 12:35 am
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Costco Club
Posts: 1,609
I've seen either variation of spelling on numerous US based airlines. It's weird.
Aug 1, 2012 | 1:12 am
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: lax
Posts: 4,055
When you need to use it, does it really matter? It's an ambiguation.
Aug 1, 2012 | 1:39 am
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Costco Club
Posts: 1,609
Quote:
Originally Posted by
skylady
When you need to use it, does it really matter? It's an ambiguation.
When you're staring at it printed on the back of the tray-table in front of you for 6 hours you start to think about these things.
Aug 1, 2012 | 9:27 am
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 31,464
The same can be said for "canceled". I've seen both cancelled and cancelled on flight info screens over the years. I thought the former rather than latter was the correct spelling, no?
Aug 1, 2012 | 9:44 am
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS Titanium, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,582
Quote:
Originally Posted by
StevenSeagalFan
I've seen it spelled both ways on planes, which is the proper spelling, 'flotation' or 'floatation'?
As noted above,
either is acceptable with "flotation" being the more common and "floatation" supposedly the
historical spelling .
One can find the word
floaties used for inflatable armbands, but its
other meanings could lead to misunderstandings when used at the pool.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
enviroian
The same can be said for "canceled". I've seen both cancelled and cancelled on flight info screens over the years. I thought the former rather than latter was the correct spelling, no?
The single
l is
American usage and the double
l is more common in other English-speaking countries. Another example is
counselor vs counsellor .
Aug 1, 2012 | 10:34 am
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 22,778
I have to admit I have not been attentive enough to notice "floatation".
Aug 1, 2012 | 10:37 am
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
i would prefer to float!.....not too sure that flot would do it...
Aug 1, 2012 | 11:59 am
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 5,014
The real question is not whether it is floatation or flotation but when having to use said device on a jet do you become jetsam or flotsam????
Aug 1, 2012 | 1:39 am
