A Correction

Earlier this morning I published an online article (blog) on this website that used the word “amuck” in the title. Many people went into an absolute frenzy over my choice of the older version of the word vs using the more popular “amok.” Recency bias? There’s an element of that to be sure.

Let’s see what the Grammarist has to say about the matter.

Amok is the 21st-century standard spelling of the word meaning (1) in a frenzy to do violence, or (2) in an uncontrolled state. Amuck is an old alternative spelling of the Malaysian loanword, and it had a few decades of prevalence before the middle 20th century, but it has now fallen out of favor. A few usage authorities still recommend the latter spelling, but amok is preferred in edited writing of this century.

Examples
I also love running amok at De Kaaskamer, the ideal spot for a tour of Dutch cheeses. [NY Times]

Images of drunken language students running amok on Malta’s streets and having sex on the beach made headlines last summer [Guardian]

Most of the commentary has been to the effect that this is an example of the nanny state run amok. [Wall Street Journal]

As a teenager, he endured his fair share as he ran amok with his mates. [The Australian]

Over the years that I’ve been writing here, I’ve made it clear that I prefer the Malaysian loanword version in most lexiconical matters and believe those preferences to be nearly canon at this point. Nevertheless, I should have referred to my style guide and made the appropriate edits. I take full blame. In order to shame myself and the rest of the editorial team, I will not be making corrections to the headline in question. I will let the error-laden headline live on in perpetuity on the internet. That will be my thorn. Good day to you and to yours.

Regrettably, this was your daily bonus blog. There’s nothing that can be done about that.