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‘Homeopathy’ it is
E D I TO R I A L
‘HOMEOPATHY’ IT IS The Editorial Committee of this journal has decided to adopt the US spelling of ‘homeopathy’. Many readers may regret the loss of the ‘middle o’, and the decision was made reluctantly, so it is worth stating the reasons. The part of the word which gives rise to the confusion comes from ‘homoios’ = like, and not ‘homo’ = same. The correct English form is a diphthong which went out of fashion with the fountain pen and sunshine. The only other common English word with the same root is homeostasis – and few people seem to worry if that is spelt the modern way. Next, there is a risk of missing articles when searching reference databases using the keyword homeopathy (though the risk is not insurmountable and experts will continue to use the search term ‘hom?eopath$.tw’). The British Journal of Homeopathy dropped the middle o at the beginning of
Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2000), 8, 150
© 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd
1999, and has not regretted it. The latest edition of the Concise Oxford Medical Dictionary, paragon of best current usage, gives ‘homeopathy’ as the preferred spelling. The last straw was an article submitted by a homeopath – who randomly used both spellings! We acknowledge that people who value traditions in medicine, among whom homeopaths are prominent, will feel that the ‘middle o’ is an old and trusted friend. Old friends are fine, but not if the only reason to keep them is to parade them and claim some kind of exclusiveness from associating with them. Homeopathy can stand on its own feet. The public have quite enough trouble with ‘complimentary’, ‘chiropractice’ and ‘aquapuncture’, and it’s time to make at least one word easier for them. Who knows, it may even help integration.
150
Adrian White Editor
‘HOMEOPATHY’ IT IS The Editorial Committee of this journal has decided to adopt the US spelling of ‘homeopathy’. Many readers may regret the loss of the ‘middle o’, and the decision was made reluctantly, so it is worth stating the reasons. The part of the word which gives rise to the confusion comes from ‘homoios’ = like, and not ‘homo’ = same. The correct English form is a diphthong which went out of fashion with the fountain pen and sunshine. The only other common English word with the same root is homeostasis – and few people seem to worry if that is spelt the modern way. Next, there is a risk of missing articles when searching reference databases using the keyword homeopathy (though the risk is not insurmountable and experts will continue to use the search term ‘hom?eopath$.tw’). The British Journal of Homeopathy dropped the middle o at the beginning of
Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2000), 8, 150
© 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd
1999, and has not regretted it. The latest edition of the Concise Oxford Medical Dictionary, paragon of best current usage, gives ‘homeopathy’ as the preferred spelling. The last straw was an article submitted by a homeopath – who randomly used both spellings! We acknowledge that people who value traditions in medicine, among whom homeopaths are prominent, will feel that the ‘middle o’ is an old and trusted friend. Old friends are fine, but not if the only reason to keep them is to parade them and claim some kind of exclusiveness from associating with them. Homeopathy can stand on its own feet. The public have quite enough trouble with ‘complimentary’, ‘chiropractice’ and ‘aquapuncture’, and it’s time to make at least one word easier for them. Who knows, it may even help integration.
150
Adrian White Editor