Flyer Or Flier – British English vs. American English

30.08.24 British English vs. American English Time to read: 4min

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Ensuring consistency is essential in academic writing, as it provides clarity and a logical flow. However, numerous students find it challenging to differentiate between British English vs. American English, especially when it comes to the accurate spelling of words such as “flyer” and “flier.” These two English variants can be confusing, so keep reading to learn more about their differences.

“Flyer” or “flier”

“Flyer” and “flier” are both terms in the English language that are often confused due to their similar spellings. Essentially, they both function as nouns and refer to either a pamphlet or a person who flies. “Flyer” has an additional meaning, where it refers to a device involved with spinning yarn.

There is a distinction in the usage of “flyer/flier” based on the geographical preference and the context in which they are used. “Flier” was heavily used solely in American English, but over time “flyer” has been very consistently used in both British and American English.

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British English

flyer

 

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American English

flier

flyer

In British English, the more prominent spelling is “flyer”. In modern American English, the more preferred spelling tends to be “flier.” However, the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, the Guardian, and Oxford Dictionaries state “flyer” as the standard spelling for most cases, which is probably why this variant is also heavily used in American English nowadays.

So why is there a change in spelling if both forms can be used in American English? “Flyer” is generally considered the original word, while “flier” with an “-ie” instead of the “-y” is regarded as an Americanization. Usually, if a word starts with “-y,” it changes to an “-ie” when you add a suffix, e.g., “fly” becomes “flies.”

Examples of using “flyer” and “flier” as a noun

The subsequent example sentences will illustrate the difference in the spelling of the noun “flyer/flier” in British and American English.

  • British English: “Flyer”
  • American English: “Flyer/Flier”
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  • We handed out hundreds of flyers to promote our coffee shop.
  • She has always been an adventurous flyer, exploring new places.
  • During the airshow, the flyer performed complex manoeuvre.
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  • We handed out hundreds of fliers/flyers to promote our coffee shop.
  • She has always been an adventurous flier/flyer, exploring new places.
  • During the airshow, the flier/flyer performed complex maneuvers.

You might have noticed the different spelling of “manoeuvre” or “maneuver” in the last sentence. Both words have the same definition, but are used differently depending on the dialect.

Note: In the preceding example sentences, we can clearly see how the different meanings of “flyer/flier” can be used depending on the context. While “flier” is used in American English, both spellings are fine, as long as you maintain consistency in your spelling.

“Flier” as an idiomatic expression

In the United States, “take a flier” is an informal idiom that means “to take a risky chance” or “to gamble on something risky.” It often implies a decision made with the understanding that there’s a significant chance of failure, but the potential reward makes the risk worth considering. This saying is often used in combination with the preposition “on.”

The phrase likely stems from the concept of a “flyer” being something that flies through the air and is a metaphor for taking a big, bold leap in decision-making. The use of “flier” in this phrase follows the American spelling convention, although both “flyer” and “flier” are used interchangeably.

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  • He decided to take a flier on a startup company.
  • After years in a stable job, she took a flier and switched careers.
  • We took a flier and tried some of the most exotic dishes.

FAQs

Both spellings are correct, while “flier” is an Americanized version, “flyer” is predominantly used in English-speaking countries.

“Flyer” and “flier” have the same meaning; however, “flier” is an Americanized variant. Generally, “flyer” is used more often and typically refers to a single, unfolded sheet of paper. “Brochure” is therefore an incorrect synonym, as it consists of multiple pages that are usually folded. Better synonyms for “flyer/flier” are handbill, pamphlet, or leaflet.

In 2017, the APA style guide changed its preference from “flier” to “flyer,” except with the idiomatic expression “take a flier,” which means “to take a risky chance.”

Both The Elements of Style and the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago Style) do not address the issue, whereas the APA style guide prefers the spelling of “flyer” over “flier.”

The term “flier,” often spelled “flyer,” is derived from the verb “to fly.” In its literal sense, a “flier” is someone who flies, such as a pilot or a frequent passenger. It can also metaphorically refer to paper handbills designed to be distributed widely. Historically, these might have been “flown” or thrown into the air to capture people’s attention.

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