The T-Shirt Conundrum: To Hyphen Or Not?

There are several variations of the word T-shirt in the English language, including T-shirt, t-shirt, tee-shirt, and tee shirt. While most dictionaries recommend capitalizing the T, the lowercase t-shirt is gaining popularity, especially in American English. All variations are generally accepted and not considered incorrect, although capitalizing the T may be the safer choice in more formal contexts.

T-shirt vs t-shirt

The debate between "T-shirt" and "t-shirt" has been a long-standing one, with varying preferences across the globe. While "T-shirt" is the more traditional and widely recommended spelling in dictionaries, "t-shirt" has been gaining popularity and is commonly used in American English. Both spellings convey the same garment: a collarless, short-sleeved or sleeveless, usually cotton undershirt or an outer shirt of a similar design.

T-Shirt

"T-shirt" is the more standard and formal spelling, seen as the safer choice in edited writing throughout the English-speaking world. It is recommended by most dictionaries and is the form often taught in schools. The capital "T" in "T-shirt" reflects the shape of the garment, which resembles the capital letter "T." This capitalisation also distinguishes it as a named item, similar to how we use capitalisation for proper nouns.

T-shirt

"t-shirt" is the more informal and evolving spelling, particularly prevalent in American English. It is considered correct and acceptable, even though it may not be as widely recognised as "T-shirt." The use of the lowercase "t" aligns with typical sentence capitalisation rules and reflects the frequency with which the word is used in everyday language.

Regional Variations

Regional variations exist in how people refer to this garment. For example, some American English speakers use the shortened form "tee" to describe the shirt, which is influenced by the phonetic spelling of the letter "T" as "tee." This variation is not commonly used in British English.

In conclusion, both "T-shirt" and "t-shirt" are acceptable spellings, with "T-shirt" being the more traditional and formal option and "t-shirt" gaining popularity as a more casual and evolving alternative. The preference may vary based on regional and personal factors, but ultimately, both spellings refer to the same ubiquitous garment.

Dictionaries' recommendations

Most dictionaries recommend "T-shirt", and it is the most common form in edited writing throughout the English-speaking world. However, "t-shirt" is gaining popularity, and "tee-shirt" and "tee shirt" also have their supporters. None of these variations are considered incorrect, but "T-shirt" is the safer choice.

Merriam-Webster and Collins dictionaries give "T-shirt" or "tee shirt" as the correct spelling, while Webster's New World College Dictionary prefers "T-Shirt" with "tee-shirt" as a variation. "T-shirt" is also the form recommended by The New York Times stylebook.

Some people argue that the capital "T" is necessary because it is the shape of the garment, and it is the letter that gives the shirt its name. However, others argue that the lowercase "t" follows normal sentence capitalisation, as one would not write "Shirt" in the middle of a sentence.

Capitalisation rules

The "T" in T-shirt is capitalised because the garment's shape resembles an uppercase "T". This is similar to how an A-frame's shape resembles an "A". While the lowercase "t" would also be understood, the uppercase "T" is considered more correct.

The "T" in T-shirt also stands for "training", as the garment was originally worn as an undershirt.

The controversy surrounding the capitalisation of the "T" in T-shirt remains unresolved. While dictionaries typically list it as capitalised, some argue that since "T" is not a proper noun or a specific brand name, it should be written with a lowercase "t". However, others believe that capitalising the "T" emphasises the shirt's unique shape and distinguishes it from other types of shirts.

Ultimately, there is no definitive answer, and all variations (T-shirt, t-shirt, tee-shirt, tee shirt) are widely accepted and understood.

T-shirt vs tee-shirt

The short-sleeved, collarless, buttonless shirt that is so ubiquitous in modern life has a few different spellings. "T-shirt" is the most common, with a capital letter and a hyphen. This is considered the safer choice and is the most common in edited writing throughout the English-speaking world. However, "t-shirt" is gaining ground and is also acceptable. "Tee-shirt" and "tee shirt" are less common but are also not considered incorrect.

The difference is irrelevant in spoken English, as they are all pronounced to rhyme with "pea dirt". However, in writing, it is important to be aware of the different spellings, especially if you work in advertising or are a careful speller.

If you are creating a T-shirt website, it is a good idea to use both "T-shirt" and "t-shirt" to capture a wider audience, as significantly more people search for "t shirt" than "T-shirt".

T-shirt vs tee shirt

The short-sleeved, collarless, buttonless shirts that are so common today can be referred to as either "T-shirts" or "tee shirts". Both terms are interchangeable and refer to the same garment, worn by men and women alike. The only difference is that "T-shirt" is more common and considered the safer choice, whereas "tee shirt" is not incorrect and is gaining ground.

The reason for the capitalisation in "T-shirt" is that the garment is named after the letter "T", which it resembles. The capital "T" helps the reader comprehend that the letter is being named, not pronounced, as with other terms such as "A-frame", "C-clamp", "J-curve", "O-ring", "S-duct", "U-turn", or "X-ray".

While "T-shirt" is the more common spelling, "tee shirt" is also widely used and accepted. Both terms can be used interchangeably, as in the following examples:

• Can I borrow your T-shirt/tee shirt?
• I have no more clean T-shirts/tee shirts, so I need to do laundry.
• Kenley wears a simple T-shirt/tee shirt and jeans almost everywhere she goes.

So, whether you choose to go with "T-shirt" or "tee shirt", you can't go wrong!

Frequently asked questions