The Spelling of Sabre

**D'Artagnan1673** · 07-22-2002 08:06 AM

Many sabre fencings have chimed in that I have mispelt sabre on my club's website (I've been spelling it saber)

Anyway, I just typed sabre as everyone swears its spelt, and I am getting a spelling error on Word!!! Are you all sure it isn't saber?

**Pommel** · 07-22-2002 09:08 AM

It's just American English v. British English. The Brits spell words like center and theater as centre and theatre. I really would consider it rather petty for somebody to quibble over one being correct and the other not. I prefer sabre myself, but I just read too much BBC news. Now the one that really gets me is that terrible word "saberist". Sabreur folks, please.

**epeemike81** · 07-22-2002 09:09 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by D'Artagnan1673:
Many sabre fencings have chimed in that I have mispelt sabre on my club's website (I've been spelling it saber)

Anyway, I just typed sabre as everyone swears its spelt, and I am getting a spelling error on Word!!! Are you all sure it isn't saber?<hr /></blockquote>The crappy, American English official way of spelling sabre is S-A-B-E-R. however, I, like many others, prefer the spelling S-A-B-R-E.

-m

**Ben[PrFC]** · 07-22-2002 09:32 AM

I prefer Sabre myself.
As for saberist vs sabreur, it also seems to be a matter of opinion vs an absolute correctness. Here I also prefer saberist.

**epeemike81** · 07-22-2002 09:40 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ben[PrFC]:
I prefer Sabre myself.
As for saberist vs sabreur, it also seems to be a matter of opinion vs an absolute correctness. Here I also prefer saberist.<hr /></blockquote>Ben,

if you prefer sabre, shouldn't you be spelling it sabrist?

-m

**D'Artagnan1673** · 07-22-2002 10:18 AM

Ah, didn't realize that sabre was British. Should have known with Theatre and everything. I prefer words spelt the British way.

Okay, you have a convert!

**schlager7** · 07-22-2002 10:21 AM

I prefer sabre, becauseI also prefer sabreur...
or, in its feminine form, sabreuse...
although my wife (who fences sabre) sometimes identifies herself as a sabreteur

**Ben[PrFC]** · 07-22-2002 11:59 AM

Perhaps I should, but that leads me to the fact that I don't really care much about consistency in this matter. Hence I reserve for myself the right to spell differently different forms of the same word.
Nyah.

**shyHeidi** · 07-22-2002 12:15 PM

... "sabreur" looks so funny typed out though. I mean, if you were just an average non-fencing person and stumbled onto that word in a book, how would you end up pronouncing it? It looks weird.
(but for the record, ditto everyone else, I like "sabre")

**Philistine** · 07-22-2002 12:41 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ben[PrFC]:
Perhaps I should, but that leads me to the fact that I don't really care much about consistency in this matter. Hence I reserve for myself the right to spell differently different forms of the same word.
Nyah.<hr /></blockquote>As does the USFA. In the USFA rules, it is spelled sabre in the introductory section, saber in the rules section, and back to sabre in the materials section.

--Philistine

**Mergs** · 07-22-2002 01:11 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />As does the USFA. In the USFA rules, it is spelled sabre in the introductory section, saber in the rules section, and back to sabre in the materials section. <hr /></blockquote>Oh, picky, fussy, picky, fussy! You expect consistency out of the USFA?????!?! OH, puleeeeeeze!

FWIW, I prefer "Saber" as opposed to the Norman "Sabre"

**damianip** · 07-22-2002 01:44 PM

Sabre is the "Frankification" of the German "sabel".

"Saber" is the Americanization of the "Norman", as Mergs succinctly and accurately put it, "sabre". It stayed "sabre" in the UK because, secretly, England wishes they were still part of France and vice-versa. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Isn't "Saber" the language of airline booking systems?

Paolo

**Zilverzmurfen** · 07-22-2002 01:45 PM

The correct spelling of the word should be "sabre" as most people have pointed out. "Sabre" because it is the correct spelling in french. But on the other hand the english translation of "fleuret" is "foil" so let's not be picky... Spell it however you fancy!

It's rather interesting to see how you americans twist and turn words over, creating new spellings - you're so innovative! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

**135711** · 07-22-2002 05:44 PM

i've only used the sabre spelling, although it has been pointed out to me, that saber might be the correct spelling, however, i thought a saber-toothed tiger was more correct, but a sabre was a weapon. on the other hand, i could be wrong. it may be that theatre, and theater, saber,sabre [let's call the whole thing off], could be a carry over from the european way of spelling this. i say, let's keep them in the loop.

**Inquartata** · 07-22-2002 09:03 PM

Put me down for 'sabre'. I avoid the 'sabreur-sabrist-saberist' contretemps by just saying 'sabre-fencer'...

**SäbelFechter** · 07-22-2002 09:18 PM

I find I usually use the spelling of "sabre". Don't know why - guess I just like the way it looks more.

Out of curiosity I checked on the NHL website and found that Buffalo's hockey team uses the English spelling - they're the Buffalo Sabres. I thought that's how they spelled their name, but you'd think they would have used the American spelling.

**Gav** · 07-23-2002 12:05 AM

Oh guys...

A couple of things. 1st off if the americanisation of sabre is 'sabre' then use it. American being a dialect of English I don't have a problem with it.

Please use Sabreur rather then sabrist (saberist). Sabreur is the traditional term and as far as I know has know hasn't been 'americanised'. Sabrist (Saab-Wrist) sounds like a bizarre strain that you get driving a Scandinavian car. It also makes you sound stupid.

I also noted that UK and England seem to be interchangeable. Wrong. Spell sabre how you like but you show a marked lack of world knowledge if you think this is true. The UK comprises England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the crown protectorates and colonies. England is merely 1 part of that. It's irritating for people who live in the UK to be lumped as English when we're not.

**Sanky** · 07-23-2002 01:33 AM

Got it in one Gav

I'm English, I dont think of myself as British despite what out fool of a PM would like us to do.

My G/F is Scottish and would have very choice words for anyone who said she was English or British.

Oh and Damianip, believe me we have no compulsion to become part of France <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

**Gav** · 07-23-2002 02:03 AM

Better food for starters. (no pun intended)

[ 07-23-2002, 05:19 AM: Message edited by: Gav ]

**Pa55w0rd** · 07-23-2002 04:31 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by schlager7:
I prefer sabre, becauseI also prefer sabreur...
or, in its feminine form, sabreuse...
although my wife (who fences sabre) sometimes identifies herself as a sabreteur

<hr /></blockquote>hehehe i call them idiots. LOL

(THAT WAS A JOKE PEOPLE !!!)

epee-andy

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