You may remember the explanation of the origins of the idiom, a baker’s dozen by the Australian Writers’ Centre (AWC). Today, they dissect a historic event… or should that be, a historical event? Here’s a Q&A to help you determine which one is correct, courtesy of Dean Koorey.
Historic or Historical?
Historic Morocco. Or is that historical Morocco?
Q: I was watching a sports game the other day. One commentator announced that the upset result made it “a historical occasion” for the sport. The other commentator agreed, but he called it “historic” instead. Who is correct?
A: A great question. And you’ll be pleased to know that despite many people often getting it wrong, there really is a clear correct answer.
Q: Wow, English finally comes to the party!
A: Probably three hours late and with no gift, but yes, they’ve made it.
Q: So who’s correct?
A: The second commentator who called it “historic” is correct.
Q: Why?
A: Simple definitions. “Historical” is an adjective that refers to events that have happened in the past – in history. Meanwhile, “historic” is for describing events that will end up being famous in history.
Q: So one is only for the past, and the other for now?
A: Not quite. Both can refer to events in the past, but with that subtle difference we described. For example, the battles of World War II are historical events. However, when the war ended, there were historic scenes in the streets and parades. See the difference?
Q: Yes I think so. Historical is all about history and the past. While historic is more about hysteria.
A: Haha, that’s one way to think about it! A historic event is simply an important one. Other synonyms would include famous, significant, consequential, memorable, momentous or noteworthy.
Q: So now to the other issue. Is it “a historic event” or “an historic event”?
A: Aha, yes this issue seems to come up with this word a lot. But again, there is a simple rule.
Q: Oh wow, English is quite the party animal today.
A: Indeed. The rule is to use the article “a” when followed by a word with a consonant sound. And use the article “an” when followed by a word with a vowel sound.
Q: So “h” is a consonant – so why the constant confusion?
A: The clue was the word sound – we even put it in italics.
Q: Oh, so you did.
A: You see, words like “hour” or “honest” have a silent H at the beginning, so in those cases it creates a vowel sound to give us “an hour” or “an honest opinion”.
Q: Someone really needs to give English their honest opinion…
A: The reason why people might SAY “an historic” is because they are incorrectly pronouncing it as “istoric” without the H sound. However in writing, no one can hear you scream, so you should always write “a historic”.
Q: What about dialogue?
A: Yeah, that could be an exception if your character has an accent or speech quirk, but even then it’s probably best not to pick that fight.
Q: Well, this chat will surely go down in history. A historic day for language-lovers everywhere!
Nicholas C. Rossis 
I always use ‘An’ before historic or historical. But I forget to use it before hotel and hospital. Bad me! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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You’re not emulating the historic Brian, by any chance Pete? [i.e., “a very naughty boy”] 😉 Cheers, Jon
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Well, it’s “a” before historic, so it looks like “hotel” and “hospital” are the lucky ones 🙂
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I had this very historic/historical question last week. So glad to have a clear answer!
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I love synchronicity at work 😀
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Thank you! This misuse of “an” with “historic” really annoys me! I know I’m a pedant, but right is right! Cheers, Jon.
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I 100% agree with you, wilfredbooks. The same goes for ‘herb’.
As to being a pedant, you should be. If something is wrong, whether grammar or moral, it’s wrong, and we should make no apologies for calling it out.
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Yes, thanks for reminding me: herb is another one that really grates with me! [I know one doesn’t grate a herb 😉 ]
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It’s all in the accent, isn’t it?
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Brilliant! And perfectly explained, even for someone who chuckled throughout. Thanks! 🙂
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Yay! Thank you, Marcia 😀
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I think an hotel and an historic occasion are a pretentious (or Cockney) throwback to the original French words – un hotel and une histoire- where the h is silent. But the English are generally in favor of anglicizing French pronunciation, as in Herb, Hospital etc. Where the H is sounded. So I pronounce the H when speaking English, and not in French. And leave the silent h to Cockneys and those wanting to be posh.
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Hadn’t thought of that. Thank you, Gabi!
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Thank you very much, Nicholas! I never before thought about this. Good to know! Michael
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Glad to have helped, Michael! Now you know 🙂
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Thank you, Nicholas! Appreciate your very informative and useful postings. Have a beautiful rest of the day. Michael
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As a former elementary teacher, I received thousands of letters and emails over the years from my parents. The most frequent spelling/grammar error in these notes was the use of the two distinctive words “a lot” written as “alot.” I suppose they can partly be excused by the homophone “allot,” but it was startling how many people got this wrong.
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Sounds like my next post should be about that 🙂
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A historic post, thanks for sharing.
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Lol – thanks 😀
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Fun! And yes, English usually does come to the party. Or it already was there, just lurking.
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Right next to the punch 😀
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Reblogged this on Kim's Musings.
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