COLORADO - If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blinking cursor, wondering if it’s "sergeant" or "sargent," you are in good company. According to recent search data and linguistic analysis, the word that currently trips up Coloradans more than any other is:
Sergeant
(Common misspelling: Sargeant or Sargent)
Colorado stands out as a state where this specific military rank is a frequent "how to spell" search query. Whether it’s due to a strong connection to our veteran community or just the confusing "e-a" vowel combination, it remains a unique struggle for residents.
A History of Spelling Struggles
Spelling trends change almost as often as the Colorado weather. Depending on the year and the major events happening in the world, the top spelling inquiry has shifted significantly.
In recent years, Colorado has also seen high search volumes for words like "Ingredients," "Choice," and the COVID-era favorite, "Quarantine." Going back a bit further, the state frequently struggled with the word "Beautiful"—a trend shared with many other states—and the notorious "Receipt."
The "Xtreme" Factor
Interestingly, some datasets have previously flagged the word "Extreme" as a top misspelled word for Colorado. Local analysts joke that this isn't necessarily a lack of spelling ability, but rather a stylistic choice. Thanks to the state's obsession with "Xtreme" mountain sports, many residents simply skip the "E" by habit.
Why Do We Struggle With "Sergeant"?
Linguists point to the word's French origin. The English version keeps the "e," but we often pronounce it with an "a" sound (like "sarge"), leading many to incorrectly insert an "a" after the "s."
Spelling Tip: To remember the correct spelling of Sergeant, think of the "e" before the "a." You can use the mnemonic: "The Energetic Agent is a Sergeant."
How Does Colorado Compare?
While Colorado is busy looking up military ranks, neighboring states have their own headaches. For instance, Utah frequently struggles with "Definitely" (a classic national favorite for misspellings), while Nebraska often searches for the spelling of "Beautiful."
