Bryson•s Dictionary for Writers and Editors

Suriname, Surinam / Sydney � 323
Suriname, Surinam. Confusion still sometimes arises concerning the
name of this small South American country. The spelling Surinam
can now safely be regarded as historic and Suriname as the
preferred modern spelling. The Suriname River and Suriname
toad also take the modern spellings. Suriname was formerly
Dutch Guiana.
surreptitious.
surrounded means completely encircled. To say that something is
“surrounded on three sides” is a poor use of the word.
surveillance.
survivor. Not -er.
susceptible.
Susquehanna River, eastern United States.
sustenance.
susurrate. Whisper.
suttee. Hindu practice of a widow throwing herself on her husband’s
funeral pyre.
Suu Kyi, Aung San. (1945–) Burmese political activist, awarded Nobel
Peace Prize in 1991.
Suva. Capital of Fiji.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok.
Suwannee River, southern United States; immortalized in songs as
“the Swanee.”
Sverige. Swedish for Sweden.
Swayze, Patrick. (1952–) American actor.
Sweet ’N Low. Sugar substitute.
Swinburne, Algernon Charles. (1837–1909) English poet.
Swissair. (One word.) Former Swiss airline.
Swithin’s (or Swithun’s) Day, St. July 15. According to legend, rain on
that day will be followed by forty days of the same.
sycamore. Tree.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.