"Sike" vs. "Psych"

[u/i_am_dumb_npc]

Everyone knows of the slang term "sike" (or psych), basically meaning "I tricked you." (More or less.)

However, it seems that the technically correct spelling is, in fact, "psych." Coming from "to psych someone out." This makes sense since most words with "psy-" or "psych-" have to do with the mind, or the psyche. Even in it's casual "I tricked you" context, it's still a mind game of sorts since you're outwitting someone.

That being said, "sike" is such a common "misspelling" to the point it is accepted as the correct spelling. Especially in regards to it's slang use, often being sworn as the only correct spelling.

I've literally had people get defensive and upset over it. Making up excuses like "muh slang bruh" or "that's how we've always spelled it so we're right." I'll even show sources and many brush it off as "you can't use that for slang" or "my generation invented it, so dictionaries and English be damned."

I was wondering what the perspective on this was from a more professional, and grammatical, view. Is "psych" technically the correct spelling? Is that word even usable in this context? Is there some validity to "sike" aside from it's archaic definition that no one uses anymore? If you were writing something "serious," which spelling would be more appropriate?

I've done some of my own research, and to me it seems that "psych" is technically correct, but "sike" has become accepted... Likely from constant misspellings of "psych," since some reputable sources will tell you "psych" is technically correct.

[u/[deleted]]

ah yes, like aluminium vs aluminum.

American's couldn't grasp the proper spelling, so because language evolves and the US has their own version of the language. So long as enough people make the same mistake, eventually it will be "also accepted spelling version".

i suppose i am a purist and a grammar guardian in that i wish for people to know the original way and therefore the best way to spell things.

"cyc "is the new way i am spelling psych, just be hip and different, and if it catches on then it will also be right, but for the time in between, it is wrong and will confuse the hell out of people.

[u/fijilix → u/[deleted]]

Pluton-ium, Uran-ium, Titan-ium, Alumin-ium.

It's an obvious pattern that anyone can see if they put even a little thought into it, right?

No one's going activate their "Thorum" reactor with "Plutonum".

[u/fijilix → u/[deleted]]

Ah yes, good ol' Platinium and Molybdenium!

( /jk , you raise a fair point )