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'Pedal' is the foot lever on a bicycle or piano, or the verb to cycle; 'peddle' means to sell goods informally or to spread ideas.
Side-by-side comparison
"Pedal" is the foot-operated lever on a bicycle, car, or piano. Also the verb to cycle or operate pedals. "Pedal hard" = push the pedals with force.
She pedalled hard up the hill, standing on the pedals to generate more power.
The piano pedal on the right sustains notes after the keys are released.
He pedalled across the country in thirty days, raising money for the charity.
"Peddle" is the verb to sell goods informally or door-to-door, or to spread ideas persistently. "Peddle false information" = spread misinformation.
Street vendors were peddling souvenirs and snacks to tourists near the monument.
The website was shut down for peddling misinformation about vaccine safety.
He was arrested for peddling counterfeit goods in the city centre.
Common mistake
- •"She peddled her bike" when meaning cycled is wrong (correct: pedalled).
- •And "He pedalled conspiracy theories" when meaning spread them is wrong (correct: peddled).
Trick to remember it
- •"Pedal" ends in AL like "manual" and "canal", physical structures and devices.
- •"Peddle" ends in DLE like "hustle" and "handle", actions and movement.
Quick rule
- •Is it the foot lever or the verb to cycle? "Pedal".
- •Is it the verb to sell informally or spread ideas? "Peddle".
Did you know?
Bicycle pedals were invented in the 1860s and applied to high-wheel "penny-farthing" bicycles. Before this, velocipedes were propelled by pushing the ground directly with the feet. PEDDLE meaning "to sell informally" comes from Middle English "pedder" or "pedlar" (a seller who carried goods in a pack: "ped" = a pannier or pack basket). The same root gives "peddler" and the British "hawker." The word PEDAL comes from Latin "pedalis" (of the foot), shared with "pedestrian," "pedicure," "pedometer," and "expedition" (literally "to free the feet" for travel).
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She _____ d all the way up the hill without stopping. She's very fit.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The street vendor _____ d handmade jewellery at the market every weekend.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy