Spicket vs. Spigot
“Spigot” is the standard general-English spelling for the valve or tap sense. “Spicket” is not simply imaginary, however: the Dictionary of the Scots Language records it as a Scots and English-dialect form. In ordinary edited international English, “spigot” is the safer spelling.
Use “spigot” in standard general English. “Spicket” has documented dialect history, especially in Scots/English dialect evidence, so it is better described as dialectal rather than universally dismissed as meaningless.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| standard general or edited English | spigot | Use the standard general-English form. |
| dialect writing or a quotation that intentionally preserves the attested form | spicket | Preserve it only when the dialectal form is intended. |
| international copy where dialect is not part of the voice | spigot | Prefer the form least likely to be read as a misspelling. |
Quick tests
Register and dialect test
Are you writing ordinary standard English rather than deliberately representing a dialect form?
If yes: Use “spigot.”
If no: “Spicket” can be retained when the dialectal wording itself is relevant.
Caveat: The dialectal history means “spicket” should not be described as universally meaningless; the distinction here is standard-general versus dialectal use.
Examples
Turn the spigot off before replacing the hose.
“Spigot” is the standard general-English choice for the valve or tap sense.
The instructions label the outdoor valve as a spigot.
Edited general English normally uses “spigot.”
A dialect quotation may preserve spicket when that wording is intentional.
The dialectal form is attested, so it can be preserved when dialect representation is part of the purpose.
Further guidance
Dialect Boundary
“Spicket” is documented in dialect lexicography, so context matters when describing it; standard edited prose still normally uses “spigot.”
Editing Choice
For a broad audience, normalize to “spigot” unless dialect representation is intentional.
Standard Use
Use “spigot” for the standard general-English noun meaning a valve, tap, or cask plug.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Spigot — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Standard general-English headword, spelling, and meaning for spigot.
- Spicket — Dictionary of the Scots Language (opens in a new tab)Scottish Language Dictionaries · Dialect evidence that “spicket” is an attested Scots and English-dialect form related to spigot.