The British and Americans speak the same language, but there are many differences in terminology between British English and American English. One noticeable difference is the use of the terms “full stop” and “period” to refer to the punctuation mark (.) at the end of a sentence.
What is a full stop?
A full stop, also known as a period in American English, is a punctuation mark (.) that indicates the end of a sentence. It signals a complete stop, telling the reader that one thought has ended and another will begin.
Both British and American styles use the full stop/period for the same purpose – to mark the end of a sentence. However, British English favours the term “full stop” while American English uses “period”.
Other names
The full stop/period punctuation has gone by other names throughout history:
- Dot
- Point
- Full point
“Full stop” arose in the early 18th century to distinguish the punctuation from the decimal point. The term emphasizes the stop nature of the symbol.
Origin of the British term “full stop”
The exact origin of the British term “full stop” is unclear, but it dates back to at least the early 1700s. Some theories suggest:
- It derived from the phrase “full point”, referring to the full pause created by the punctuation.
- It distinguished the sentence-ending dot from the decimal point used in numbers.
- Its “stop” meaning emphasized the terminating nature of the symbol.
“Full stop” was commonly used in British English by the mid-1700s when punctuation began being taught formally. The term appeared in early punctuation guides and textbooks.
Early usage
Some examples of early usage of “full stop” in British English:
- In a 1737 issue of Daily Gazetteer, in a passage about proper comma usage, they note: “Commas are proper wherever there wou’d be the least Pause in Speaking, were the Writing read aloud to others; and a full Stop wherever there wou’d be a greater Pause.”
- An 1773 grammar textbook by James Johnson titled “A New English Grammar” distinguishes between the “full-point” and “comma” as end marks for sentences.
- An 1825 text on punctuation by John Wilson refers to the mark as a “full point” but notes the more common term is “full stop”.
So while the precise origin is uncertain, “full stop” was firmly established in British English by the early to mid 1700s.
Why do Americans say “period”?
In American English, “period” emerged as the favoured term for the punctuation mark. There are a few theories on why:
- “Period” was used interchangeably with “full point” in 18th century texts, before “full stop” became more common in Britain.
- The word “period” represents a full stop in thought or speech, meaning the end of a rhetorical unit.
- Its use in American English may come from influence of grammar textbooks and punctuation guides from the 18th-19th century that used “period”. For example, Goold Brown’s 1851 textbook The Grammar of English Grammars refers to it as the “period” or “period mark”.
By the late 18th century, Americans had widely adopted “period” while the British favoured “full stop”. The different terms took hold on each side of the Atlantic.
British and American English Divergence
The “full stop” versus “period” difference reflects wider divergence between British and American English. As the American colonies and new American nation developed, its language began splitting from the English of Britain in small but noticeable ways.
Some key reasons for the diverging vocabularies:
- National identity – After the Revolutionary War, America sought to distance itself from Britain through language as well as politics. Adopting its own word usages helped assert America’s identity.
- Influence of Noah Webster – Webster’s American English dictionaries standardized spellings and terms unique to America. This accelerated the split from British English.
- Different influences – American English was influenced by native American words, Spanish, immigration patterns, etc. that British English was not.
- Separate cultural development – Both variants developed in their own national contexts through media, popular culture, literature, and daily language use.
The different terms for the “.” mark represent just one example of the variations between British and American English. But for such a small punctuation mark, it holds large historical significance.
Is one term correct and the other wrong?
Because “full stop” and “period” have long histories and established uses in British and American English respectively, both terms are considered correct in their national contexts.
Some key points:
- Both “full stop” and “period” refer to the same punctuation mark and function identically in sentences.
- British English favoring “full stop” and American English favoring “period” is a recognized vocabulary difference between the variants.
- One term is not more “proper” than the other – both are correct within their national varieties of English.
- In cross-continental writing, either term is acceptable. Readers expect national vocabulary differences.
- For formal writing, it’s best to maintain national conventions – “full stop” for British English and “period” for American English.
So neither term is right or wrong – both “full stop” and “period” are valid depending on the type of English used.
Other British and American English Differences
Beyond “full stop” versus “period”, British and American English differ in many other vocabulary choices, including:
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Fall |
| Nappy | Diaper |
| Dustbin | Garbage can |
| Lift | Elevator |
| Biscuit | Cookie |
These are just a handful of the many vocabulary and phrase differences between the varieties. While mutually intelligible, each version has its own quirks!
Regional Variations
There are also regional variations in British English terminology:
- “Full stop” is standard across British English.
- In Scottish English, “full stop” and “period” are used interchangeably.
- Some Irish English speakers use “full point” rather than “full stop”, similar to older British English.
So within the UK, there are small regional differences in punctuation terms as well!
Conclusion
When it comes to the punctuation mark ending sentences, the British will keep saying “full stop” while Americans stick with “period”. This curious vocabulary difference developed centuries ago as British and American English diverged. Neither term is right or wrong – both are valid names in their national and regional contexts. So full stop or period, the little punctuation mark shows big historical divergence between American and British English that continues today!