The map above shows what people in various parts of the UK and Ireland call a small piece of wood under the skin.
Today, almost everyone calls it a splinter, except a few holdouts in North-East England who still call it spelk.
However, rewind to 1950 and there were a many regional differences including:
- shiver
- sliver
- speel
- spelk
- spell
- spile
- spill
- splint
- splinter
- spool
So I’m curious what did you grow up calling it and what do you call it today?
And if you enjoyed this map you’ll probably also like: How Do You Pronounce “Scone?, Use of Backend vs Autumn In The UK & Ireland and How Many People Pronounce The R In Arm.
Colin McLean says
I’m surprised at the result for Scotland. Skelf is used widely.
Saint Andrew says
Just come on to say the same as Colin. It’s a skelf in Scotland.
Cambridge University eh? Aye right.
David says
Skelf when i was growing up, and its still skelf
JOHN A says
Was a skelf in Northern Ireland in the 1980s.