Why does the U.S. spell words like "harbour" and "colour" with no "u"?

Question

Is there an historical reason for this?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=harbor&btnG=Google+Search

Answer 1

because they are illiterate

Answer 2

More interesting is why do Brits add an un-needed vowel.  If it is not pronounced...why add it?

Answer 3

because we want to so get over it

Answer 4

During late 1700's and early 1800's, it had become clear that the US and Britain spoke to different dialects. The US had little to no francophile influence, as several countries in Europe did, Britain for example. (centre, programme, etc)

To show this, Noah Webster's first dictionaries in the 1820's introduced US variations on words, both spelling and pronunciation. Since Webster's dictionaries pretty much set the spelling standard for the US, that's what became accepted.

Believe me, as someone who has done professional proofreading for both American English and British English texts, I wish to he** they'd have the same dictionaries. Talk about a mind s***w; raised in one and proofing in another! Oh yes, there's was much drinking after a Brit assignment. :)

Answer 5

why do rugby players wear daisy dukes?

Answer 6

What does this question have to do with " Rugby " ?. this forum is for  Rugby questions isn`t  it ?

Answer 7

President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a hard time spelling, so he wanted to simplify some of the "American" English. A result of this came the elimination of the u in words like colour or harbour. He also had re switched with er in words such as theater. However, the British spelling of the words are still accepted in American society.

Answer 8

Yes, we have NO French influence on our language