On Monday it was announced that Hollywood legend Doris Day passed away aged 97. As we were reminiscing about her incredible career, we found ourselves wondering about the term Hollywood. Where does it come from? When did it start being used in reference to the film industry? Hollywood, a region near Los Angeles, gets its name from a ranch that once stood on its site. The ranch was named by Deida Wilcox who moved there with her husband Horace H. Wilcox in 1886. They began selling building lots in 1891 and by 1910 barns were being turned into studios. In 1926, three years after the now-iconic Hollywood sign was put up (originally reading ‘Hollywoodland’), the name started ...
Today is Independence Day in the United States. This holiday celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence; a statement explaining the reasons that the Second Continental Congress had voted on the second of July to make what is now known as the United States legally independent from Great Britain. Across the pond, Independence Day will be celebrated with fireworks, parades, and no doubt a lot of family time, but here at Spellzone we thought we’d mark the occasion by having a look at American English. You may remember our article Five Reasons Why English Spelling Is So Difficult, and how one of these reasons was because the English language has roots from all over the pla...
Over the last few weeks we have been looking at dyslexics who have excelled in various fields. So far we’ve looked at dyslexic writers, entrepreneurs, and even the famous polymath Leonardo da Vinci. This week we will be flying out to the land of botox and Brangelina – Hollywood! Who is Steven Spielberg? Steven Spielberg is an American filmmaker known for his work as a director, screenwriter and producer. He also co-founded the DreamWorks film studio. Although Spielberg was born in 1946, his dyslexia was not diagnosed until 2007. He is one of the most successful and influential filmmakers in the world. What is Steven Spielberg most famous for? Spielberg’s mo...
American vs. British English
Common Mistakes
Commonly Confused Words
English Idioms Explained
English Literature
Exams & Tests
Grammar & Punctuation
Mindful Spelling
Spelling at School
Spelling Games
Spelling Homework
Spelling Tips
Spellzone Tips & Tools
Supporting Adult Learners
Supporting Dyslexic Learners
Supporting EAL Learners
Word Origins & Stories
Writing & Vocabulary
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