Hmmm…as far as I am aware, program is exclusively regarding computers (a series of coded instructions for a computer), whereas programme is a list of events or items (ie a theatre programme, or a television programme schedule, etc – and the word programme for a TV show derives from that)

So I will concede that perhaps, just perhaps, there may be some tentative link. But I wouldn’t think the two spellings were interchangable with the meanings. But then, as you say quite rightly, English is a changing, fluid language, so maybe we haven’t caught up yet. I’m told that Aussie has much more of the US spellings now than we do.

I agree JDK, but programme and program are two completely different words with different meanings, not just an alternate spelling of the same thing

Sorry John. It wasn’t so much the misfortune I found funny (I’m sure Bush is sore signing all those treaties with grazed hands), it was more the fact that it was reported like the White House spokesperson intimated it was a regular thing. It was they way it was put that was funny, but as American humour doesn’t seem to stretch far when Bush’s name is involved, I apologise.

Oh, and that’s an interesting point in your ‘PPS’ – Yes, as it happens, words ending in “ized” are spelled differently in New Zealand, we spell it as “ised”; and “ize” is written as “ise”, as it happens. This is how we are taught in school.

This is an oddity that I worked out a couple of years ago about the Oxford English Dictionary telling otherwise while looking something up. I found it odd as normally we speak and write exactly the same as official English language. But in the case of “ize”, no.

At the time I looked into this and asked various people I know at random how they write certain words (in case it was just me and my school getting it wrong), and all the New Zealand and the British people I know whom I asked told me they never used the “z” either and always use an “s”, writing “ise”. They all said the “z” was an Americanism and were stunned when I showed them the OED.

I’d be interested to hear what other Brits here say about this, which do you use.

Thanks for correcting me on the White House. We seldom see that written down here.

we don’t give up, and refuse to be beaten.

Except in rugby!

I know what you all mean. I love and admire the great British spirit, that tenacity to fight on and survive that was often referred to in the war as the Dunkirk spirit. It’s really great to see it still exists strongly despite all the changes in society. I’d like to venture that I’m proud we New Zealanders have proudly inherited much of that spirit from the mother country.

Becka, fair enough. I’ve no problem with your decision, thanks for the explanation. I apologise if I caused concern at the time.

Bob, spot on mate.

Something I have noticed, flicking through the various three channels covering this event here, the people of London are all so calm and collected and so incredibly brave. It’s an absolute credit to them. They seem shaken yet undaunted. Similar tragedies in other countries usually result in mass panic, hysteria and wailing, which is understandable. Yet the Londoners seem incredibly philosophical about it, and resiliant.

More power to them all.

Sky News is showing a double decker ripped apart at Russell Square. God almighty. It looks like something from the Blitz.