# "Thru" is not a word **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734 "2013-11-12T17:40:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/41 "2013-11-12T21:46:41Z")
I like to pronounce “thru” with the corniest fake Scottish accent I can muster, because that’s how it looks on the page. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, well she doesn’t even accept “donut”- she’s one of those useless grammar nazis that are holding back the language from evolving. 99% of evolution is death. Sure, the language will evolve, but that doesn’t mean that every ugly new alternate spelling should be embraced. Purge the unworthy! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/42 "2013-11-12T21:49:26Z")
Plow on through to the other side! Plough on thru to the other side! Donuts for all!! ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/43 "2013-11-12T21:49:41Z")
Thru, rite, nite, lite, brite, [del]hite[/del], luv, tuff, and so on all cause me to twitch just a little bit–not quite a cringe, just a little jerk in my cheek. That said, I pretty much agree with the folks arguing that they’re more or less acceptable, or becoming so in certain situations, at least. (Thru perhaps more than all of the others, which are all pretty strictly limited to informal or commercial writing.) I know better than to be a prescriptivist. But it does make me a little sad to know that in admitting this, I apparently also lose the fight against IM/txt speak. Ah well. I’ll be over here petting Miller’s alot to comfort myself. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Toothpaste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e56c9b/32.png) [@James\_Toothpaste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Toothpaste)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/44 "2013-11-12T22:05:47Z")
Thru is recognized a word by Microsoft word. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/45 "2013-11-12T22:17:49Z")
“Lite” to me is more of a trade name, and it serves a useful purpose, too. It means “light” on something, but not in a good way. If I say that the TV show _Pan Am_ was nothing more than _Mad Men, Lite_, well that’s a very useful expression ands conveys a different meaning than does _Mad Men, Light_. That’s the beauty of language. Let the mo-fo evolve, folks!! Anyone have problem with mo-fo? Serves a useful purpose, too. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/46 "2013-11-12T22:28:01Z")
Mo-fo sounds way too light and fluffy to be slang for motherfucker. It should be the name of a marshmallow-based dessert. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/47 "2013-11-12T22:34:13Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Mo-fo sounds way too light and fluffy to be slang for motherfucker. It should be the name of a marshmallow-based dessert. OK, you create a product like that and market it under the name Mo-Fo, and report back on how well it sells (not counting sales to Frat Houses). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/48 "2013-11-12T22:35:33Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Thru, rite, nite, lite, brite, [del]hite[/del], luv, tuff, and so on all cause me to twitch just a little bit–not quite a cringe, just a little jerk in my cheek. That said, I pretty much agree with the folks arguing that they’re more or less acceptable, or becoming so in certain situations, at least. (Thru perhaps more than all of the others, which are all pretty strictly limited to informal or commercial writing.) I know better than to be a prescriptivist. > > . Yeah, but you see, there’s no real use to “rite” vs “right”. Sure you save a letter, big whoop. Same with “luv”, and a number of others. “Lite” may be different, since a “light/lite” dessert does not give off any lumens. John Mace has a point, too. I don’t want to just save a letter. Not good enough. I think there is a difference between “I am through with you” and “I ran a spear thru you”. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/49 "2013-11-12T22:38:48Z")
The one that drives my sister nuts is “tho.” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/50 "2013-11-12T22:44:12Z")
I think that the OP’s point is that “thru” is used even by people who avoid most other simplified spellings, and he’s wondering why it is that it’s so much more mainstream than other similar simplifications. There’s no value judgement necessary for that question (though, admittedly, comparing it to a turd is nonetheless something of a value judgement). ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/51 "2013-11-12T22:59:21Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Blame it on the Chicago _Tribune_. Starting in 1934, they were a proponent of simplified spelling. Some of their offerings stuck and are with us today: analog, canceled and catalog. Others like jaz, frate (freight) and etiquet didn’t exactly win fans with the public. \*Thru \*is older. [It dates back to spelling reform in the 1870’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English-language_spelling_reform). Its simplified spelling was also (along with most -\*ough \*words) endorsed by Theodore Roosevelt during his presidency. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/52 "2013-11-12T23:11:29Z")
irregardless im thru wit airors. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/53 "2013-11-13T00:45:22Z")
I wish everyone had my ability to simply spelling; I sometimes feel it is my duty to show everyone how it is done. You know, give a man a ghoti and he has a meal, but _teach_ a man to ghoti… mmm ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/54 "2013-11-13T04:16:39Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Doughnut or Donut? Hiccough or Hiccup? Through or Thru? > > I’m down with all three latter versions, yo! Ketchup or catsup? > [@LawMonkey](#): > > \ I’ll be over here petting Miller’s alot to comfort myself. Right out in _public?!?_ ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/55 "2013-11-13T13:30:01Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > I notice this spelling fairly often, including on this message board, by people who seem to be making every effort to write well. Every other word is spelt correctly, but then this “thru” spelling shows up like a big turd in the middle of an otherwise immaculate lawn. What is it about writing the word “through” that makes people feel they don’t have time for an extra three key strokes? Neither is “alot” but I’m going to keep using both. Not specifically to get a rise out of people like you… but the thought is in my mind each time… oh, and don’t even start on how many “…” I use… or do, what do I care !!! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/56 "2013-11-13T16:04:05Z")
It’s a staple of plan sheets- you’ll see “SECTION THRU” whatever the section is through. Highway signs are pretty standard, too- THRU TRAFFIC with an arrow indicating where they go. Other than that, it should be spelled out correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/57 "2013-11-13T17:03:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, well she doesn’t even accept “donut”- she’s one of those useless grammar nazis that are holding back the language from evolving. I don’t accept donut, either. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/58 "2013-11-13T17:16:59Z")
> [@Pai325](#): > > I don’t accept donut, either. Good. More donuts for the rest of us. \ ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/59 "2013-11-13T17:19:40Z")
> [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > 99% of **evolution** is death. Sure, the language will evolve, but that doesn’t mean that every ugly new alternate spelling should be embraced. **Purge** the unworthy! You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. If it’s evolution, the only thing purging the unworthy is natural selection: unworth proving itself by the inability to survive in a competitive environment. Looks to me like “through” is the unworthy one, considering how it’s losing out in natural selection. Advocate “purging [your idea of] the unworthy”, but don’t mistake it for natural selection. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734/60 "2013-11-13T17:30:19Z")
I admit, while I use “donut” and “hiccup,” “thru” looks weird to me outside of signage. Not sure why that is. I speculate it’s because ending a word with a “u” is fairly rare in English, minus obvious loanwords. The usual ending would be “-ue” for that sound. I suppose representing that sound with “-ough” isn’t much better, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thru-is-not-a-word/673734.md?page=4)