Spelling Numbers: There's No U in Forty!

Sam, could you write a cheque for me, love?

A cheque? Do people still use those?

I do! And my hand's too stiff today.

Okay, no problem. Who's it for?

The plumber, Mr. Hughes. That's H-U-G-H-E-S.

Got it. And how much is it?

It's £1,415. He fixed the boiler and the sink.

Wow, that's a lot of money!

Tell me about it. Now write the amount in words.

Easy. One thousand, four hundred and fifteen.

Wait a minute. Spell "fifteen" for me.

Sure. F-I-V-E-T-E-E-N.

Oh dear! It's F-I-F, not five!

Really? But it's five and teen!

I know, love. English is strange like that.

Sorry, Gran. I'll write a new one.

Good. Then one more, for your cousin's birthday.

Sure. How much this time?

£40. She's turning 19 on Saturday.

Forty. F-O-U-R-T-Y.

No, no! There's no U in forty!

What? But there's a U in four!

Yes, but forty is just F-O-R-T-Y.

That makes no sense at all!

Right, let's have a little test. Spell "ninth".

N-I-N-E-T-H?

Close! Drop the E. It's N-I-N-T-H.

But ninety keeps the E, right?

Yes! N-I-N-E-T-Y. Well done!

And what about twelfth? Is there an F?

There is. T-W-E-L-F-T-H.

Seven letters, and only one vowel!

That's English for you!

Right. Both cheques are done.

Lovely. Let me sign them.

You'll be writing your own cheques soon.

Gran, I'll just use my phone, thanks!

Oh, you young people!