Originally Posted by Peter Zack
This is an area I do take note of all the time. English came from a mix of several languages in England and the added U (or should I say that some drop the U) as well as a few other things that have been changed or dropped in North America has always gotten under my skin. I know a language evolves and changes over time, new words get added (to Google is now a verb), meanings change (gay used mean 'happy'). But the spelling of old words doesn't need to change.
Then there's the mispronounced "Z". It's ZED btw. The letter's origin is from the French and that's the way it's always been said there as well, for longer than we've spoken modern English.
I feel the flames coming...
The problem was that the Americans tried to "fix" spelling, a noble sentiment. But unfortunately they didn't go all the way, just cut out a few u's, double letters (as in travelling), and dabbled with other words. As a result spelling of english words must be even harder for non-native speakers. In the end, I believe we're worse off for it rather than better. Unfortunate rather than a disaster though.