Lichen or litchen?

I've heard it spelled and said both ways. Lichen or litchen?  I have always known it as lichen and I can't seem to find an actual definition of litchen but alas I see it sometimes with the t added.  Possibly it's just a regional dialect thing?  

I've lived in the northeast and in California and never heard of "litchen".

Dan Knisell wrote:

I've heard it spelled and said both ways. Lichen or litchen?  I have always known it as lichen and I can't seem to find an actual definition of litchen but alas I see it sometimes with the t added.  Possibly it's just a regional dialect thing?  

climbing friend,

I am really "lichen" your post! I have wondered and pondered on this for many years passing. I do believe litchen is incorrect. It has been spoken. you may never utilize it again!

ha ha ha ho ha hyah myah!

Lichen is the organism that grows on rocks and trees.  Litchen is a room used as a living room and kitchen.

In American English, "lichen" is pronounced the same as the verb "liken". In British English, both this pronunciation and one rhyming with "kitchen" are used.

Back in the OLD DAYS, we had these things called Dictionaries. They were books. Printed on paper made from trees. They could be used to check spelling of words.  You might want to Google about Dictionaries and maybe - gasp - even consult one.

tl;dr - Only one of those spellings is in there.

The dictionary is a very useful tool.

Gunkiemike wrote:

Back in the OLD DAYS, we had these things called Dictionaries. They were books. Printed on paper made from trees. They could be used to check spelling of words.  You might want to Google about Dictionaries and maybe - gasp - even consult one.

tl;dr - Only one of those spellings is in there.

You gotta pay the troll toll...

Yes Mike I have heard of these ancient "books" before. I thought google burned them all though. Would you happen to have an extra OED you could send my way so I can become as wise as you?

Perin Blanchard wrote:

In American English, "lichen" is pronounced the same as the verb "liken". In British English, both this pronunciation and one rhyming with "kitchen" are used.

I kinda thought this was the case but I was thrown off when my climbing partner used it.  Makes total sense. Thanks!

Perin Blanchard wrote:

In American English, "lichen" is pronounced the same as the verb "liken". In British English, both this pronunciation and one rhyming with "kitchen" are used.

Well, geez, those people across the pond can't even repel. They ab sell, ab say, sounds like a two a.m. infomercial....

Best, OLH

Old lady H wrote:

Well, geez, those people across the pond can't even repel. They ab sell, ab say, sounds like a two a.m. infomercial....

Best, OLH

At the risk of being labelled a pedant, allow me to comment on the 'repel' (rappel) vs. abseil issue with respect to the Brits.  

It is generally well known that the British fought a number of brutal wars with the French over the centuries.  Rather than use the French word, rappel, I believe that in spite of fighting two world wars against Germany, the British prefer using the German term abseil (rope down) rather than utter the French word for the same technique, such is their disdain for the French.  

Patrick Corry wrote:

At the risk of being labelled a pedant, allow me to comment on the 'repel' (rappel) vs. abseil issue with respect to the Brits.  

It is generally well known that the British fought a number of brutal wars with the French over the centuries.  Rather than use the French word, rappel, I believe that in spite of fighting two world wars against Germany, the British prefer using the German term abseil (rope down) rather than utter the French word for the same technique, such is their disdain for the French.  

Oh dear. Another one of those. 

Lifelong reader here, full disclosure: 17+ years working in a library. I'm still inclined to spell honour "incorrectly". Repel and break have got to be the most common entirely wrong words used in the forum.

Thanks for the story! I own an unabridged dictionary and do get lost in it now and then.

Best, Helen

Patrick Corry wrote:

At the risk of being labelled a pedant, allow me to comment on the 'repel' (rappel) vs. abseil issue with respect to the Brits.  

It is generally well known that the British fought a number of brutal wars with the French over the centuries.  Rather than use the French word, rappel, I believe that in spite of fighting two world wars against Germany, the British prefer using the German term abseil (rope down) rather than utter the French word for the same technique, such is their disdain for the French.  

Yet they’re more than happy to lend a “belay”?  That doesn’t track.

Ted Pinson wrote:

Yet they’re more than happy to lend a “belay”?  That doesn’t track.

It does - somewhat - when they pronounce it like some sort of apiary sex act.  

In a related vein - is it true that ATCs and related devices have two slots b/c the Brits use the one on the left vs. the rest of the world uses the one on the right?

Gunkiemike 

In a related vein - is it true that ATCs and related devices have two slots b/c the Brits use the one on the left vs. the rest of the world uses the one on the right?

I had thought that was because most British folk prefer to climb on double ropes.

And rappelling

On Brits and Americans...What’s the quote? Something like: “Two peoples separated by one language in common.”

Gunkiemike wrote:

In a related vein - is it true that ATCs and related devices have two slots b/c the Brits use the one on the left vs. the rest of the world uses the one on the right?

Yes, also known as the "youropeian" style.

When they come over here and belay on the right they get tendonitis....... ;)

The water goes the other way in the toilet too.......maybe that's why they drive on the wrong side of the road...... ;)

You say litchen, I say lichen,  let's call the whole thing moss.

I prefer loltchoon

patou zero wrote:

You say litchen, I say lichen,  let's call the whole thing moss.

Two of those of wrong.  I’ll let you figure out which two...