A Conversation for h2g2 Post 12.06.03
Question:)
Darth Zaphod Started conversation Jun 12, 2003
I have a question to my editor
Am I different being American in spelling foetuses 'fetuses'? Cuz that's actually how we spell it Trust me, I'm not questioning you, I was just wondering why it's such an odd spelling thanks!
Darth Z.
Question:)
J Posted Jun 12, 2003
May I help?
See A980624 and an entry of mine at A1006507
It's mostly because of quirkiness that was changed when Noah Webster created American English
I doubt you wanted to know that much 
Question:)
Post Team Posted Jun 12, 2003
Indeed
<./>ThePost</.> uses British English rather than American English although the odd Americanism slips through now and again... especially in your articles. (what does the word 'doot' mean for example?!)
The American spelling of foetus would very likely be unrecognised by a fair few of our readers - plus 'foetus' is the correct spelling in medical terminology.
shazz 
Question:)
Darth Zaphod Posted Jun 12, 2003
doot...poop! I got it from Dave Barry...it's not so much an American term, as a Katie's-oddish-made-up term
DZ
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