atw: Re: Program vs. Programme

me

As late as 1971, the OED was noting the emergence of the Americanised version, 
though 
not giving it a full listing. Otherwise, the word comes from the Greek 
'programma', via 
French as 'programme' and , via Webster, as 'program' [late 19th c]. By 1981, 
the 
Macquarie had seen the writing on the wall and called for 'program', too [2nd 
ed, rev].

I'm sure Wankipedia would have a kiddies' opinion on this.

As an interesting aside, just after WWII, during which the Brits had helped the 
French so 
much, one C de Gaulle tried to outlaw the word, believing in the purity of the 
French 
language, claiming that 'programme' was English. He was so myopic, he tried to 
replace 
'telephone', too. What a well-educated snot!

Brian.

BTW, fullstops after contractions, ie, when the last letter is included [your 
'vs.'], is just a 
wee bit passe [AGPS Style manual, 1988 and probably as early as 1966, also].

Other related posts: