Supposedly vs. Supposably? (meaning, quote, dictionary)

[bostonguy1960]

I can't stand some people here around Boston. who replace supposably for supposedly.

Both are listed in the dictionary, but I cannot understand or explain the usage...but I just KNOW when they're used incorrectly.

I would say: Supposedly, we're getting snow today (some would use supposable!).

Supposed and supposable have different meanings...

But I'm so confused still.

Anyone else this confused?

[AliciaMaria]

omg... I hate it when people say supposably. FWIW, firefox doesnt recognize it as a real word.

[Honeycrisp]

Probably it's not included in the Scrabble dictionary either

[Kobber]

It's not in the Concise Oxford either (though my edition is fairly ancient). In Word.doc with language set to English (UK) 'supposably' didn't pass muster; but it did with the language set to English (Australia).

I've not aware of having seen 'supposably' in written form, and have only heard it spoken once or twice. Perhaps I need to get out more. Or perhaps it's a very good reason to stay home!

[2cold]

Supposably didn't look like a legitimate word to me. It seemed more like one of those common mispronunciations, so I looked it up.

The adverb “supposably” should be used only in the context of capable of being supposed, and this adverb is valid only in American English.

suppose: that can be supposed or conjectured

So, supposedly and supposably are not the same.
Aha! Spell check is on and it's underlining supposably.

Funny link:
Supposably - Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia

[Fred314X]

Now that you bring it up, bostonguy, it's even worse than you imagined! Not only is there "supposably," but "supposively" as well! Things haven't reached epidemic proportions yet...but we're well on the way.

[kodaka]

Microsoft doesn't approve either. At least not for mac users.

I wonder if it comes from picking up the b sound used to make possibly out of possible and thinking the b sound is part of what makes the usage change, rather than just the e to y change.

[tasmtairy]

Irk, irk, pet peeve....that and frustrated vs flustrated.

[houstoner]

Granted, I haven't been in the area long, but I've never heard that word, here or anywhere, for that matter. I think I'd visibly wince if I did!

[CA4Now]

I've met one person who says "supposably"....more than I would like to hear. I'd love to correct her but just can't bring myself to do it. Is it laziness on their part? What do they think when they see the word in print?