POLL: Barbecue or Barbeque?

[Huskee]

So which is it?

Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) uses a "q". Many other reputable establishments prefer a "c". But, you can't go wrong with "BBQ", right?

Vote for your preferred spelling, and tell us where you're from too (general location like NE USA, or Japan, for instance, specifics not required necessarily) so we can see if there's any regional patterns.

[Steve R.]

This reminds me of the scene in 16 Candles where Long Duk Dong is trying quiche for the first time and Grandpa Fred tells him "Well you don't spell it, son, you eat it."

I spell it with a "cue", but I sometimes abbreviate as BBQ Hadn't really thought that much about it, honestly. I'm in Kentucky.

[Craigar]

All of the above, but voted for Barbecue - from Nebraska.

[jgg85234]

It's barbecue and here's the proof.

Words that end with the Q sound are spelled cue (rescue, miscue)
Words that end with the K sound are spelled que (physique, torque)

BBQ for me

Best regards,
Jim

[bardsleyque]

bardsleyque duh from Chicago live in gray N.W.

[Huskee]

I think the "q" spelling came from phonetics- cue sounds like Q. Thus BBQ or Bar-B-Q. I think that spilled over into spelling it babeque in some cases. I have only anecdotal proof (my thoughts!) though. I could be way off.

I wonder if CandySueQ knows why KCBS sticks with "Barbeque"?

[ifican]

This has already been long figured out...

http://amazingribs.com/BBQ_articles/...e_history.html

[ComfortablyNumb]

California transplant living in NE Washington state near the Canadian border that uses English like a Brit votes 'barbecue'. I cite this article:

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-spell-barbecue-335482

Barbeque is French inspired, and we all know how Brits and Canadians feel about the French.....

BTW, you forgot 'babracot' circa 1892 and 'barbacue' circa 1834.

http://grammarist.com/spelling/barbecue-barbeque/

[kmhfive]

Grew up in Mississippi, but lived all over the east coast. Use a c.

[fuzzydaddy]

Barbecue. Tennessee. BBQ is fine too.

[cmiller0711]

Barbeque. Memphis TN

[MBMorgan]

"Barbecue" ... and I've lived in too many places on this planet to attribute the spelling to any one of them.

[tbob4]

For me - California - it's BBQ. It is just too easy to make signs and other decorative stuff with the three letters. I remember a poll here before that had fun responses. Before answering, of course I went to my references (cookbooks) and the Weber book was right next to the KCBS book. Q for KCBS and C for Weber. I also think that it you said "I'm out Q'ing" it would refer to grilling/smoking. If you were out "Cueing" you would be playing pool. Now throw the tomatoes at me for that stupid analogy.

[Willy]

BBQ fer shure, but sometimes just "Q" is sufficient. I'm in the high desert of the great SW.

[Mudkat]

Gotta have "Q" in BBQ! BBQ for me. I am not from Japan.

MD