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Granddad or Grand-dad or Grandad?

Which is the correct spelling?

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  • But don’t forget Grampa and Gramps or Gramma. All are common in the United States. – user41637 Apr 1 '13 at 14:07
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    ... Grandfather – lkessler Apr 1 '13 at 21:41
  • +1, I just stumbled upon the "grandad" spelling. It just doesn't feel right to me. But then again, I prefer the American spelling for most things. – nyuszika7h Nov 12 '14 at 12:49
  • The correct spelling is "TODOKETE" – flarn2006 Dec 22 '16 at 21:40
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According to Google NGram, in British English the spelling "grandad" is more popular than "granddad", however American English, the spelling "granddad" is more popular than "grandad".

American English:

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British English:

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Both exist, apparently.

The NOAD, says

granddad |ˈgranˌdad| (also grandad) noun informal - one's grandfather.

grandad |ˈgranˌdad|, Noun - variant spelling of granddad .

The OALD says the same thing, and is more specific, saying that "Granddad" is North-American English. If someone from U.S./UK can confirm, it would add more info.

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    I don't have a copy of OED to confirm, but anecdotally I can confirm as a native en-gb speaker that I find the spelling with a double d marked. – Peter Taylor May 4 '11 at 12:40
  • @Peter Taylor: Thanks for your comment! So your point is that you, as a UK English speaker, would say "Grandad"? – Alenanno May 4 '11 at 12:58
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    @Peter: I on the other hand (en-US) find the single-d spelling to be marked. – JSBձոգչ May 4 '11 at 13:30
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    @Alenanno, yes, I write "grandad" and pronounce it gran-dad. (For completeness, I write "grandpa" and "grandma" but the d is barely there when I say them). – Peter Taylor May 4 '11 at 13:33
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    Thanks to both. So it confirms what I found... "Grandpa" definitely solves the dilemma though ahah :) – Alenanno May 4 '11 at 15:39
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Further documentary evidence.

Clive Dunn's only #1 hit record, the famously ironic post punk single – Grandad, was spelled with one 'd'

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    Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. – Simon Hoare Jul 21 '15 at 7:01
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In the UK, I've generally seen 'Grandad' used, particularly among the older generations containing a preponderance of grandads. So I'd say that's the correct spelling in British English, and from the other answers 'Granddad' appears to be more common is US English.

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    Chambers Dictionary (which generally reflects BrE) gives both alternatives, with grandad first (which is how I've always spelt it). – TrevorD Jul 4 '13 at 16:40
  • The spelling appears illogical but similar things happen in other languages e.g. Grand-Rue and Grand-Place in French, when both words are feminine and would normally take the feminine form of the adjective. – Simon Hoare Jul 21 '15 at 7:04
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Searching Irish websites using Google:

  • grandad 411,000
  • grandpa 371,000
  • granddad 41,600
  • grand-dad/grand-dad 10,200
  • grandaddy 7,230
  • granddaddy 4,230
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