The word 'stationery' can be quite tricky to spell, but it helps to know the IPA phonetic transcription of the word: /ˈsteɪʃənəri/. The reason why it's tricky is that it's often confused with 'stationary,' which means not moving. However, the spelling difference lies in the second vowel - the 'e' in 'stationery' is different from the 'a' in 'stationary.' So, the next time you're unsure of how to spell 'stationery,' remember the IPA phonetic transcription and the different vowel sound.
Stationery refers to a category of materials, typically paper-based, used for writing, drawing, or corresponding purposes. It consists of a wide range of products, including various types of paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, and other writing or drawing tools. Stationery is specifically designed to serve as tools or accessories for communication, organization, and creative expression.
Stationery items are commonly employed in educational, professional, and personal settings. They play a crucial role in facilitating written communication, note-taking, record-keeping, and creative activities. Examples of stationery include notebooks, notepads, diaries, memo pads, sticky notes, index cards, as well as folders, binders, and organizers for document storage and management.
The term "stationery" originates from the Latin word "stationarius," which referred to an officer in charge of a fixed military post. Over time, it evolved to imply the fixed or stationary nature of goods sold by these officers, which included writing materials. Today, stationery has expanded to encompass a diverse assortment of products, often reflecting different designs, colors, patterns, and themes to cater to individual preferences and needs.
In essence, stationery encompasses the essential tools and materials necessary for effective written communication, organization, and creative expression. It embodies the tactile and visual elements that can enhance the experience of writing, note-taking, or drawing while also serving as a means to express one's personal style or professionalism.
• Articles sold by stationers.
• Of or belonging to a stationer.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word stationery originated from the Latin word stationarius, which referred to a person who had a fixed location or a job associated with a particular place, such as a station. Over time, the meaning of stationarius expanded to include individuals who sold goods at a fixed location, such as booksellers or scribes. These professionals often dealt with writing materials, including paper, pens, ink, and other items. As a result, the term stationarius eventually evolved into the Old French word estacioner, meaning to be stationed or set in a particular place. In English, estacioner transformed into stationer and later stationary. However, around the 18th century, people began using the term stationery to distinguish the writing materials sold by stationers from the adjective stationary which means not moving.