The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 27, July 2, 2006, Article 44

ON LUTHER TUTHILL AND PHONETIC SPELLING

Arthur Shippee writes: "Of Tuthill's spellings, since the variations
from standard spellings are pretty consistent (generally elimination
of silent letters, including doubles and final "e"), I suggest as a
hypothesis for testing that these are intentional, reflecting some
theory of spelling reform.  From the time of Noah Webster there have
been schemes for spelling reforms.  Mostly they're of no practical
help and remain curiosities.

Given the regularity of the changes and level of English style, my
sense is that Mr. Tuthill generally chose these versions on purpose,
in which case the cause, however much one may deplore it, is not
ignorance."

David Gladfelter writes: "Tuthill advertised paper money in the
Numismatist in the 1890s and 1900s, and wrote an article about
confederate money in that publication. The witch on broomstick
(hobby horse) and the phrase "We all have our hobbies" was copied
from George H. Lovett's 1860 medal, Miller NY 491A, "dedicated to
coin and medal collectors." I've run across that surname among
Southerners and wondered whether it was pronounced as in "King
Tut Hill" or as in "If you bite an olive pit, your tooth'll hurt.

He was apparently a devotee of that 19th century fad, phonetic
spelling. Remy Bourne lists a numismatic periodical from the 1870s
called "De Kuriositi Kabinet" published in that language. It later
converted to English and changed the name to "The Curiosity Cabinet."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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