Macquarie Dictionary Blog: Archives

maroon, marone

Sep 08, 2010

A correspondent to the dictionary has suggested that 'maroon' (pronounced to rhyme with 'drone, phone') for a member of the Queensland Rugby League football team should be respelled 'marone'. This would avoid confusion with the colour 'maroon' (rhyming with 'saloon'.) As he says "here is room to immortalise these gladiatorial celebrities. I cannot find the word 'marone' in any dictionary, so why not create it."

Unfortunately the dictionary can only present what people actually do, not dictate what they should do, so we cannot take up this helpful suggestion, tempted though we might be.

(Image courtesy of Pixabay: Hebi65)

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