• The Picard ManeuverOP
    link
    546 months ago

    It seems like shorthand for signs that has been used enough that it’s basically normal now, like “lite” instead light, or “donut” instead of doughnut.

    • @xantoxis
      link
      34
      edit-2
      6 months ago

      Right, the distinction I’m making is this isn’t just “normalized” but actually the correct spelling. As in, if a newspaper editor saw it written as “drive-through” they would be obliged to correct it.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        156 months ago

        Suppose both aight?

        drive-through or drive-thru (a sensational spelling of the word through), is a type of take-out service provided by a business that allows customers to purchase products without leaving their cars.

        Sensational spelling is the deliberate spelling of a word in a non-standard way for special effect.

      • @someguy3
        link
        56 months ago

        I still call it an air-port.

      • 🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 ℹ️
        link
        fedilink
        English
        1
        edit-2
        6 months ago

        The correct way would be “drive-through.”

        “Drive-thru” is purposely spelled wrong to attract attention. The same as “Krispy Kreme” or “Dunkin’ Donuts.” It’s only “correct” in that it has become ubiquitous through usage.

        • @bisby
          link
          English
          186 months ago

          It’s only “correct” in that it has become ubiquitous through usage.

          What you are describing is called “language”

          “You” wasn’t always allowed to be singular. Colour vs color. Doughnut can be donut. Etc. Languages evolve over time, and “drive-thru” is in plenty of dictionaries.

          • @[email protected]
            link
            fedilink
            66 months ago

            Yup, “drive through” is an instruction, “drive-thru” is a noun. So you’ll drive through the drive-thru.

        • @someguy3
          link
          16 months ago

          Pretty sure thru is to save space.

    • @then_three_more
      link
      12
      edit-2
      6 months ago

      Ohh I thought donut was the American spelling of doughnut.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      16 months ago

      Donut is straight up just another way to spell doughnut, though. It’s fully accepted, and not shorthand.