The Etymology and Orthography of "Calendar"

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The Etymology and Orthography of "Calendar"

The word "calendar" has a rich and complex history, spanning multiple languages and cultures. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Roman calendar, which was established by Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, in the 8th century BC. The Roman calendar consisted of 10 months, with a total of 304 days. However, this calendar was not particularly accurate, as it did not account for the fact that the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not exactly 365 days long. As a result, the Roman calendar would gradually drift out of sync with the seasons.

In 46 BC, Julius Caesar introduced a new calendar, known as the Julian calendar. This calendar was more accurate than the Roman calendar, as it added an extra day to the month of February every four years. This extra day was known as a "leap day," and it helped to keep the calendar in sync with the seasons. The Julian calendar was used throughout the Roman Empire for centuries, and it is still used today by some Orthodox Christian churches.

In the 16th century, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar, known as the Gregorian calendar. This calendar was even more accurate than the Julian calendar, as it eliminated the need for leap days every four years. The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used calendar in the world today, and it is the calendar that we use to mark our days, weeks, and months.

The word "calendar" comes from the Latin word "calendae," which referred to the first day of each month in the Roman calendar. The calendae were so named because they were the days on which debts were due. The word "calendae" is itself derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *kel-, which means "to call." This root is also found in the English words "call" and "calendar."

The spelling of the word "calendar" has changed over time. In the Middle Ages, the word was often spelled "kalendar" or "calendere." However, the spelling "calendar" eventually became the standard spelling in English.

The Different Spellings of "Calendar" in Other Languages

The word "calendar" is spelled differently in different languages. In Spanish, the word is spelled "calendario." In French, the word is spelled "calendrier." In German, the word is spelled "Kalender." In Russian, the word is spelled "календарь."

These different spellings reflect the different ways in which the word has been borrowed into these languages. For example, the Spanish spelling "calendario" is derived from the Latin word "calendae," while the French spelling "calendrier" is derived from the Old French word "calendier."

The Correct Spelling of "Calendar"

The correct spelling of the word "calendar" in English is "calendar." This spelling is the most common spelling in English, and it is the spelling that is used in all major dictionaries.

There are some people who believe that the spelling "calender" is also correct. However, this spelling is considered to be nonstandard, and it is not recommended for use in formal writing.

If you are unsure about how to spell the word "calendar," it is always best to consult a dictionary.

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