Word of the day: pixelation/pixilation

My version of Microsoft Word automatically changes 'pixelation' to 'pixilation'. That's annoying, but it's also interesting – for three reasons.

1. Word doesn't automatically correct 'pixelate' to 'pixilate'. Why the inconsistency?

2. In contrast to Word, the OED Concise prefers the 'e' spellings; that is, it gives 'pixilate' as a variant of 'pixelate' rather than the other way round. (It gives 'pixellate' as another variant, but doesn't suggest 'pixillate' at all. Shame.)

3. My OED also defines 'pixilated' as "crazy; confused" and "drunk (informal, dated)". It adds: "Origin C19: var. of pixie-led, lit. 'led astry by pixies', or from PIXIE, on the pattern of words such as elated."

So does Microsoft Word change my 'pixelation' because it assumes that I'm writing about pixies rather than pixels? I think the programmers must have been away with the fairies...

Advanced word course

Here's something from The Engine Room email archive (rather shockingly, dating back to 2007). It highlights the importance of capitalisation:

I got involved in an email chat today. One of my friends apologised for a late response, saying: "I've been on an advanced word course." Another friend of mine replied: "Advanced words... what kind of words and what on earth for?!"

It rather tickled me - obviously friend one was talking about Microsoft Word.

Keep them coming - I don't sit on all our emails for two years. Promise.

And I think I'd rather like to go on an advanced word (as opposed to an advanced Word) course.