Dallas Hinton:

> According to the online Merriam-Webster:
>
> siú?rup
> less common spelling of SYRUP

Things have changed since 1913 -- the year of the classic edition
of M.-W, which I had the honor of consulting.

> Collins online says
> sirup
> in British English
>
> NOUN
> US a less common spelling of syrup
>
> And for interest, WidiDiff says:
>
> Syrup is an alternative form of sirup.
> As nouns the difference between syrup and sirup is that syrup is
> any thick liquid that is added to or poured over food as a
> flavouring and has a high sugar content also any viscous liquid
> while sirup is (obsolete) a thick and viscid liquid made from the
> juice of fruits, herbs, etc, boiled with sugar.

Although based on an accidental spelling variation, the distinction
is quite useful, c.f. `compliment' and `complement', or `flower'
and 'fluor'...

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