Do British Spell Curb as Kerb? You Might Be Surprised
Same word, different spelling? It’s more complicated than that
So you're scrolling through a British article and you see the word “kerb.” You stop. Blink. Think: Wait, is that a typo? Short answer? Nope. It's British English in action.
I had this exact moment when reading an article from a UK news site about road safety. I genuinely thought they meant “curb” and just... messed up. I even told my friend Tom (he’s from Manchester) about it, and he laughed and said, “Mate, it’s literally the correct spelling here.” So naturally, I had to dig deeper.
In the UK, it’s “kerb” — but only for one meaning
Physical edge of the road = kerb
In British English, “kerb” refers to the raised edge between the sidewalk (or pavement, as they say) and the street. You know, that thing you trip over when you’re not looking at your feet.
So when you’re in London and someone says “Mind the kerb,” they’re not being quirky — they’re being grammatically precise (and possibly saving you from falling into traffic).
But wait — “curb” still exists in British English
Here’s the twist. Brits do use “curb” — just not in that context.
When “curb” is used as a verb, like in “to curb your enthusiasm” or “to curb inflation,” it's spelled the same in British and American English.
So basically:
Kerb = noun, edge of the road (UK only)
Curb = verb, to restrain or control (UK + US)
Curb = noun and verb for both meanings in American English
Yes. It’s confusing. Welcome to English.
In America, it’s all “curb” all the time
No kerbs allowed
Americans stick with “curb” for everything. The thing you park next to? That’s the curb. You want to stop someone from doing something? You curb them. One word fits all.
I actually made a mistake once while writing for a UK-based client and used “curb” in a road safety context. Got politely corrected by their editor: “We use ‘kerb’ over here — minor detail but good to be aware of.” Embarrassing? A bit. Useful? Definitely.
Why does the spelling differ?
Blame it on etymology and standardization
“Curb” comes from the Latin curvus, meaning curved. But “kerb” as a distinct spelling developed in British English in the 1800s, likely to differentiate between the physical object (roadside edge) and the action (restraining something).
British English loves preserving visual distinctions like that. American English, especially post–Noah Webster, leaned toward simplification. One word, one spelling. Less fuss.
Honestly? Sometimes I wish we all followed the same rules. But then again, where’s the fun in that?
Final thoughts: it’s all about where you are
So — do Brits spell “curb” as “kerb”? Yes, but only when talking about the edge of a road. For everything else, it’s “curb,” just like in the States.
If you’re writing for a British audience, use “kerb” for the pavement edge — they’ll appreciate the attention to detail. And if you’re in America? Stick with “curb” for everything and keep it simple.
I still pause sometimes when I see “kerb.” My brain says “error!” even though I know better now. But hey, that’s the charm of English — it keeps you guessing.
And now? You’ll never look at the edge of a sidewalk the same way again.
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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.