Dear Friends,
I was going to write a post about a second type of propaganda tonight, but I decided against it. Sorry, straw man!
To be honest, I wasn’t all that excited about it this evening, so I changed my mind. I’m also behind by one night of Hannukah, so I really need to get pumped about writing this blog and catch up.
Blame it on my ADHD? Maybe. It is kind of tough having everything all decided for you for the week and then actually have to DO IT! Day by day! EVERY DAY!
But I digress…
As luck would have it, earlier today, I was asked an awesome question:
“Tamar, I hardly ever write ‘it’ because i don’t want to offend anyone with spelling. Can you tell me more a
bout the correct spelling? I’ve always not been sure which is right or why.”
My friend Nicki Lynn, was asking, of course, about Hanukah!
As it so turns out, I’m much more excited to write about the many spellings of Chanukah than about a second type of propaganda (maybe another time, bandwagoning!).
I’ve been asked the question, so here‘s the answer! Yay!
How even to spell (C)han(n)uk(k)a(h)?
There are many ways to spell Hanukka (ok, maybe the spelling thing is overkill at this point, but you get the idea..).
At this juncture, you may find the video below very informative:
“Ch” versus “H”
First, if you love Hebrew like I do — and all things guttural — you might, in fact, decide you prefer “Ch” to “H” at the beginning of the word.
To be sure, both are permissible, but I love the “Ch.” The “H” beginning would be more anglicized (my Jewish friends might say here, “asakh goyish”). Which is ok. It’s all just opinion. Get three Jews in the same room, and you’ve got at least four opinions… but I digress (ADHD!)…
A
No debate here.
“NN” versus “N”
Second, there is a choice of one or two Ns.
Why not have two? Ns are nice. This point I’m less opinionated on.
U
Again, nothing to argue about.
“K” versus “KK”
Third, you might ask, should I spell the holiday with one or two Ks?
I would say here as a Jewish person and an egalitarian, anti-racist that fewer Ks are better. I’ll let you sort this one out for yourself, because I’m not writing that abbreviation.
“AH” versus “A”
Finally, to write a terminal H or not? Again, I say, as an opinion and as a question: why not have an H? Again, more like Hebrew.
The Great Reveal:
In my opinion, the true knockout is the spelling “Channukah.”
Or “Chanukah.” Do I really like both Ns? Hmmmmm….
\
Anyway, it’s an opinion. Other people might like other spellings. A bi gezunt! Decide which one you like. As long as you’re healthy...
The only offensive way to spell it? With three Ks. God forbid.
Happy (C)han(n)uk(k)a(h)!!!!