Telegraph/GK

[london_lassy]

9 Down, is it with Sor Z? I hate these words

[sarumite]

Although my preference is for ise rather than ize, Chambers gives Atomize as the entry with ise as the alternative spelling. So against my principles I have entered the Z spelling.

[london_lassy]

Thanks Sarumite

[devadiva]

Using a z is the American way and this is an English crossword so I have gone with S. But what about Rachmaninov-to fit in this crossword it has to be Rachmaninoff

[Southsider]

ise for Eng spelling. Rachmininoff used this spelling when he lived in the west. I understand

[Catron]

Why does everybody keep saying -ise is the English spelling? Here is what the Oxford Dictionary has to say:

The form -ize has been in use in English since the 16th century, and despite what some people think , is not an Americanism.......For most verbs of this class either -ize or -ise is acceptable.

[rubyj]

I was taught at school in the 40s that you used "Z" if the word came from Greek - I presume that in those days everybody studied Greek! Have to admit I usually use "Z" for the novelty value.