Writing Tip 186: “Kernel” vs. “Colonel”

I have a feeling there are some authorities in the world who might be less than happy with this mistake. When I caught it a few weeks ago, I gave the writer the benefit of the doubt that they took a stab at spelling “Colonel” the correct way and autocorrect was to blame for turning military personnel into a dried seed ready for popping popcorn.

Remember, folks:

• A “colonel” is an officer of high rank. In the U.S. Army, a colonel is above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general .
• A “kernel” is the interior part of a seed, nut, or similar, which is often edible. If not enclosed by a hard shell, it can also be within a husk. A secondary definition of “kernel” refers to that metaphorical nugget that is most important, for example a “kernel of truth.”

Some kernels are better with salt and a little bit of butter. Colonels, on the other hand, are not.

Don’t let spellcheck fool you into making hilarious mistakes, folks!