Catalog and catalogue are two spellings of the same noun and verb, with “catalog” being the standard American English form and “catalogue” the standard British and Commonwealth form. Both refer to a complete list of items, typically arranged systematically, or the act of creating such a list.
Origins and Etymology
The word traces back to the Greek katalogos, meaning “a list” or “an enrollment,” derived from katalégein (“to count up” or “to recount”). It entered English via French catalogue in the 15th century, retaining the French spelling. The shortened form “catalog” began appearing in American English in the 19th century, influenced by a broader trend of simplifying spellings (e.g., “dialog” from “dialogue,” “program” from “programme”). Noah Webster’s dictionaries promoted such simplifications, and “catalog” became the dominant form in the United States by the early 20th century.
Geographic Usage and Preferences
The choice between the two spellings is primarily regional:
- American English: “Catalog” is the standard spelling in the United States, used in both formal and informal contexts. Major American dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, list “catalog” as the primary spelling.
- British English: “Catalogue” is the standard spelling in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada (except in some technical contexts), and other Commonwealth countries. The Oxford English Dictionary lists “catalogue” as the primary form.
- International style: Many international organizations and publications follow British spelling conventions, but American-style “catalog” is also widely understood globally.
In Canada, usage is mixed: “catalogue” is common in general writing, but “catalog” appears in computer-related contexts (e.g., “library catalog” in some systems).
Grammatical Role and Conjugation
Both spellings function as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, the past tense and past participle follow the same pattern:
- American: catalog → catalogs → cataloged → cataloging
- British: catalogue → catalogues → catalogued → cataloguing
Note the doubling of the “l” in British forms when adding suffixes that begin with a vowel. This is consistent with British English’s tendency to double a final consonant after a short vowel (e.g., “travel” → “travelling”). American English typically does not double the consonant.
Examples in Context
To see the difference in practice:
- American: “The library’s online catalog allows you to search by author, title, or subject.”
- British: “The museum published a new catalogue of its permanent collection.”
- American: “She cataloged her stamp collection over the weekend.”
- British: “He catalogued the rare books in the archive.”
In software and database contexts, “catalog” is overwhelmingly used even in British English, likely due to the influence of American tech companies. For example, “catalog” in SQL databases or “catalog” in operating systems (e.g., Windows “catalog files”).
How to Choose the Right Spelling
Your choice should depend on your audience and the context:
- Identify your audience’s dialect. If you are writing for an American audience, use “catalog.” For a British or international audience, use “catalogue.”
- Check your style guide. Many organizations have a preferred spelling. For example, the Chicago Manual of Style recommends “catalog” for American English, while the Oxford Style Manual recommends “catalogue.”
- Consider the medium. In technical or computing contexts, “catalog” is more common even in British English, so follow the convention of the field.
- Be consistent. Once you choose a spelling, use it throughout the document. Mixing the two can look careless.
Common Misconceptions and Confusions
A frequent misconception is that “catalog” is a verb and “catalogue” is a noun. This is not true; both spellings are used for both parts of speech. Another confusion arises with related words: “cataloger” (American) vs. “cataloguer” (British), and “cataloging” vs. “cataloguing.” These follow the same regional pattern.
Some people also mistakenly believe that “catalog” is a shortened form used only informally. While it is true that “catalog” is the standard American form, it is not informal; it is used in legal documents, academic papers, and official government publications in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “catalog” or “catalogue” more common in Canada?
Canada generally uses British spelling conventions, so “catalogue” is more common in general writing. However, in technical and computing contexts, “catalog” is often used, reflecting American influence in technology. For example, the Canadian library system uses “catalogue” in most public-facing materials, but software documentation may use “catalog.”
Does the meaning change between “catalog” and “catalogue”?
No, the meaning is identical. Both words refer to a list of items, often with descriptions, and the verb form means to compile such a list. The only difference is spelling, which is purely regional.
Which spelling should I use in an international business document?
It depends on your company’s style guide and your primary audience. If your company uses British English, use “catalogue.” If it uses American English, use “catalog.” If you are writing for a global audience, consider using “catalogue” as it is more widely used internationally (outside the US), but be aware that American readers will still understand it.
Why do American dictionaries list “catalog” first?
American dictionaries, such as Merriam-Webster, list “catalog” as the primary spelling because it is the most common form in American English. They do list “catalogue” as a variant, but the primary entry is “catalog.” This reflects actual usage in American publications.
Are there any other words with similar spelling variations?
Yes, many words follow the same pattern: “dialog” vs. “dialogue,” “analog” vs. “analogue,” “epilog” vs. “epilogue,” “traveler” vs. “traveller,” and “color” vs. “colour.” These variations stem from the same American simplification movement.
Conclusion
In summary, “catalog” and “catalogue” are two correct spellings of the same word, differing only by region. Choose the one that matches your audience’s dialect, and be consistent throughout your writing. If you are unsure, consider your audience’s location and the context of the document. Now that you know the difference, you can use either spelling with confidence.
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