Donut vs. Doughnut? Today that debate is sweeter because they're free! (while supplies last)

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·5 min read

We know there are more pressing issues in the world, but we have to ask this question today:

Is it donut or doughnut?

In case you didn't know it, today is National Donut Day. Or, is it National Doughnut Day? Various national and local doughnut/donut shops are participating, including Dunkin' and Krispy Kreme, with deals and offers that result in a free doughnut/donut while supplies last.

Inquiring minds want to know what's the correct way to spell the high-calorie, sugary treat that pairs well with a big cup of hot coffee and is considered the "go to" snack for law enforcement types. And Homer Simpson has been known to fall asleep with a half-eaten pink-frosted, rainbow-sprinkled ring doughnut/donut in his hand and a couple more resting on his stomach.

Is it donut or doughnut? What does Google say?

National Donut Day is June 2, 2023.
National Donut Day is June 2, 2023.

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Let's start with a basic Google search. What does the internet have to say about this debate? Go ahead and give it a try if you'd like. We did and it only caused more confusion. Type in to the search window: is it National Donut Day or is it National Doughnut Day?

Even Google doesn't know if it is "donut" or "doughnut".
Even Google doesn't know if it is "donut" or "doughnut".

When the page opens, what you see at the very top is National Donut Day. Then right below it is a paragraph with historical context about this special day and it starts with National Doughnut Day.

Thanks for nothing, Google.

Is it donut or doughnut? What does the Merriam-Webster dictionary say?

Time to turn to our old friend, Merriam-Webster, aka the dictionary. Here is their take on the proper spelling:

"We've been encountering the variant donut in published, edited text since the mid-20th century. It was certainly helped along by famous doughnut purveyors – both Dunkin' and Mister – but in truth they and all who've accepted the variant were following in a tradition of phonetic-based spelling reform also embraced by the likes of Benjamin Franklin and Noah Webster. And when we consider the variety of things the letter combination ough does in English – tough, though, through, drought, bought, cough – surely it's not wholly irrational to welcome the simplification that donut offers."

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"Noah Webster (from whose dictionaries ours are directly descended) included simplified spellings in his dictionaries because he believed in spelling reform, but we have no similar ideological rationale for including variant spellings. Our inclusion of donut is based solely on evidence of the variant in a variety of published, edited texts. It is at this point a fully accepted spelling, though rumor has it the Associated Press still prefers doughnut."

Is it donut or doughnut? What does the AP Stylebook say?

You just read: "Rumor has it the Associated Press still prefers doughnut." That is correct!

In the most recent post about this subject on its Facebook page, the AP Style gurus said: "Our style is doughnut, not donut. We are aware that this causes consternation for some of you."

In a Facebook post from 2019, they wrote: "Happy #NationalDoughnutDay! AP style is sweet on the spelling "doughnut." Our official dictionary, Webster's New World College Dictionary, concurs but also allows "donut" as an informal spelling. Is your doughnut frosted, or iced? Either term can be used to describe a topping of sugar, butter and other ingredients applied to cookies, cakes and other pastries. Use of the terms varies regionally in the U.S. Both cookies and cakes (and doughnuts) can be glazed (drizzled with a thin sugar mixture)."

Check with your local donut shop to find out if they are participating in National Donut Day on June 2.
Check with your local donut shop to find out if they are participating in National Donut Day on June 2.

Yummy.

Is it donut or doughnut? What does Grammarly say?

Here is Grammarly's short and sweet take:

"Donut is an alternate spelling of doughnut. Some dictionaries point out that donut is rarely used outside the United States. All of them recognize doughnut as the main spelling, as do some of the more popular style guides. Doughnut might be the spelling you should use if you want to be sure you're not making a mistake."

What is the origin of the word doughnut?

According to dictionary.com:

"The word doughnut was first recorded at the end of the 1700s with the spelling donote. It’s just one example of how the English language has changed over time—and an example of how messy spelling has always been when it comes to English. And words with -ough spellings can be especially rough, like through, tough, drought, cough, and others. There are a couple lines of thinking as to how the nut part of the word came to be. One is that nut, here, is likened to a small lump of dough. The other is related to literal nuts, and traces the sweets back to a woman named Elizabeth Gregory who made deep-fried dough with cinnamon and nutmeg and put hazelnuts or walnuts in the middle. The nuts filled the space where the dough wouldn’t cook all the way through—a solution before the middle was taken out of doughnuts entirely."

Here's the last word on this subject until next year

If you prefer to avoid getting tangled up in which way to go -- donut or doughnut -- you can always bail out and go with one of the many synonyms the dictionary lists for the sweet treat. Here they are:

  • bun

  • pastry

  • Danish

  • cruller

  • dunker

  • sinker

  • sweet roll

It would be cool to say: "I'd like a dozen sinkers please."

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: National Donut Day means free doughnuts and a spelling debate