spell/spelling

0As the listener writes or as s/he continues producing texts using the word.0-

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01cite10Mister Micawber12cite10As the listener writes or as s/he continues producing texts using the word.12br
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10There was a question on another forum as to whether it is also used when there are two or more spellings of a word/name. It was suggested that it is used to confirm the spe

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01cite10Milky12cite10It was suggested that it is used to confirm the spelling the listener uses. I'm sure I've heard it in such circumstances. Isn't it used by telephone operators, hotel receptionists, secretaries and the like?12br
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10Yes, that's when I hear "How are you spelling that?

0<without implying lack of knowledge on one's own (or the addressee's) part.>02br
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00That's it. It seems to be a "polite" form.0-

0If you say 'how do you spell that?' you are ignorant of the spelling. It could mean that either you simply don't know or that there are possible variations.02br
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00If you say 'how are you spelling that?' it means that there are several ways of spelling that word, and you are asking which one is appropriate. So yes, it is mainly used for people's names, as these often hav

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01cite10Nona The Brit12cite10If you say 'how do you spell that?' you are ignorant of the spelling. It could mean that either you simply don't know or that there are possible variations.12br
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10If you say 'how are you spelling that?' it means that there are several ways of spelling that word, and you are asking whi

You'd sound daft asking 'how are you spelling that?' if it's a word with only one possible spelling.

Not really. I have a friend who is a terrible speller. If he says he's going to write to his congressman about [insert your favorite difficult-to-spell word here], I might ask "How are you spelling that?"

CJ