ALASKA - In the vast expanses of the Last Frontier, Alaskans are known for their self-reliance and grit. But even the toughest sourdoughs hit a snag when it comes to the digital keyboard. According to historical Google Trends data, the word Alaskans struggle to spell more than almost any other is "eighty."
While other states are battling "quarantine" or "beautiful," Alaska finds itself in a peculiar fight with a number. Here is a look at why this specific word—and a few other local favorites—give the state such a hard time.
The "Eighty" Enigma
The most frequent error in Alaska occurs in the middle of words, often resulting in misspellings like "eigty" or "eightty."
Why the confusion?
- The Silent Cluster: The "gh" in "eighty" is a linguistic relic. In Old English, these letters represented a guttural sound that has since disappeared from speech, leaving a silent "ghost" in the middle of the word. Because Alaskans (and most Americans) don't hear the "gh," the brain naturally wants to omit it.
- The Double-T Trap: Because the word ends in a "ty" sound, many writers assume the "t" from "eight" and the "t" from the suffix "ty" should both be present, leading to the common "eightty" error.
- Phonetic Simplicity: In a state where communication is often direct and functional, the complex spelling of a simple number feels like unnecessary decorative fluff.
The Runners-Up: Tomorrow and Hawaii
Alaska’s search history reveals two other words that frequently stump the population, one of which is a hilarious case of "neighborly" confusion:
1. Tomorrow
Alaska frequently joins Florida in the struggle to spell tomorrow.
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The Culprit: The "M" and "R" balance. Many Alaskans second-guess whether it's "tommorrow" or "tomorow." The rhythm of the word suggests more emphasis on the "M" than the spelling actually allows.
2. Hawaii
Ironically, one of the most-searched "how to spell" words in Alaska is actually Hawaii.
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The Culprit: The double "i." As the only other non-contiguous state, Alaska has a natural affinity for Hawaii, but the unique vowel structure of the Aloha State's name—specifically the two "i's" at the end—consistently trips up Northern writers who aren't used to seeing that letter doubled.
Is Alaska Alone?
The struggle with numbers and silent letters is a national trend:
- Washington frequently searches for the spelling of "pneumonia."
- Montana often has a hard time with the word "every."
- Idaho has historically struggled with "piece."
How to Remember "Eighty"
If you want to keep your numbers straight, use this simple rule:
"Eight is Enough."
If you can spell the number eight, you are 90% of the way there. Just add a "y" to the end. You don't need to add an extra "t" or drop the "gh"—just take the number you already know and give it a tail.
While Alaskans might have a little trouble with the "gh" in "eighty," their ability to navigate the wilderness remains unmatched. Whether you’re writing a check in Anchorage or sending a text from Nome, remember that a few silent letters won't stop a state that's been thriving in the cold for over eighty years.