Have you ever paused while typing, fingers hovering over the keyboard, wondering whether you should spell it "tires" or "tyres"? It’s a common conundrum, especially when you see our brand name, Apollo Tyres, proudly displaying the 'y' spelling. If you've found yourself scratching your head about this linguistic fork in the road, you're certainly not alone.

This isn't just a matter of personal preference; there's a fascinating story behind these two spellings, rooted in history and geographical differences. In this post, we'll steer you through the origins of this spelling split, explore where each variant dominates, and ultimately, explain why we at Apollo Tyres confidently choose “tyres.”

From Attire to Tire / Tyre

You might be surprised to learn that the journey of the word "tire" begins not with automobiles, but with the concept of “attire."

North American Spelling - Tire

In North America, "tire" stands as a succinct descendant of "attire," a term signifying "equipment, dress, or covering." Imagine, if you will, the wheels of early carriages – not merely functional, but adorned. This "attire" referred to the iron plates meticulously fitted onto the wheel rims in the late 15th century. These weren't just decorative; they were crucial structural elements, binding the wheel under stress and fending off wear.

British English Spelling - Tyre

Across the Atlantic, in 19th century Britain, a new chapter unfolded with the practice of shrink-fitting malleable iron to railway car wheels. It was during this period of innovation that the "tyre" spelling gained traction in the UK, and by extension its colonies. Incidentally, India was under British rule at that time and as a result we tend to use the UK English standard over the US English spellings and pronunciations.

Which spelling is correct, tyres or tires?

That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? The truth is, both spellings are considered correct, depending on the context and audience.

Think of it less like a right-or-wrong scenario and more like a regional preference, much like how we have different words for the same thing (e.g., "lift" in British English vs. "elevator" in American English).

If you're writing for a predominantly North American audience, "tires" is the way to go. If you're targeting an international audience or one where British English is the norm, "tyres" is more appropriate.

Also Read: The importance of buying new tyres and how to choose them?

What about Apollo Tyres?

In the context of Apollo Tyres, "tyres" is the correct spelling because:

• As a brand we use this spelling consistently within the context of our products and communications.

• Using the "tyres" spelling reinforces our brand identity and helps avoid confusion.

• Many of our markets likely use British English conventions.

Furthermore, using "tyre" offers a distinct advantage: clarity and differentiation. Consider this – the word "tire" has a dual meaning in both British and American English; it refers to the rubber wheel covering and it describes a state of being weary or exhausted. This can lead to momentary confusion or require context to understand which meaning is intended.

By embracing the spelling "tyre," Apollo Tyres avoids this potential ambiguity. The "tyre" spelling instantly identifies the product without any room for misinterpretation.

In short, for Apollo Tyres, "tyres" is definitely the way to spell it!