serial/cereal

For a number of reasons these two words can be confusing. Their origins and their meanings are entirely different, but which spelling belongs to which word? Be aware that, in your local area, there may be regional differences in the pronunciation of these words.

Cereal refers to:

• ·         Any grass that produces edible grain e.g. wheat, barley, rice, sorghum, rye, oat and maize
• ·         The seed arising from that grass
• ·         Food made from the processing of the grain e.g. breakfast cereals

Cereal arises from the Latin, cerealis. It is derived from Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. Here is its most common pronunciation.

A serial is the publication and distribution of information or story presented in a series of separate installments which are released at regular intervals. Its origin rests in 19 Century Latin ‘serialis’ from the Latin ‘series’. Open this link to hear the common pronunciation.