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
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.