‘Catsup’ or ‘Ketchup’? ‘Barbecue’ or ‘Barbeque’?
With summer in full swing, now is a good time to clarify the spelling of two summer foods that we love to talk about this time of year. See if you know.
Of the spellings "catsup" and "ketchup," and "barbecue" and "barbeque," which are the most correct, according to Associated Press style?
ketchup and barbeque
catsup and barbecue
ketchup and barbecue
catsup and barbeque
And the correct answer is the third option, “ketchup and barbecue.” “Ketchup” is by far the dominant spelling in both British and American English, and it’s the one preferred by the Associated Press Stylebook as well as by the Merriam-Webster and American Heritage dictionaries. “Ketchup” also has the advantage of best approximating the pronunciation of the word’s likely source, the Malay word “kecap,” meaning “fish sauce,” or the Chinese word “kechiap,” “salted fish.” For the second word, while “barbeque” isn’t technically incorrect, “barbecue” is by far the most common spelling and also the one preferred by the AP Stylebook as well as by Merriam-Webster and American Heritage. “Barbecue” is also the best spelling because it most resembles its Spanish source, “barbacoa,” which means a “wooden framework for supporting meat over a fire.” On that note, it’s time to fire up the grill and enjoy your own barbecue! 😋