Writing Tip 198: “Flu” vs. “Flue” vs. “Flew”

Historically, the word “flue” referred to the chimney itself, but either way, this one’s just asking for trouble. I bet plenty of birds flew in there! Oh, I think I’m feeling sick…

Before you start any fires in your fireplace, make sure the flue is open. Fingers crossed, no bird flew into your chimney and made a nest there. That would sure as heck freak me out—not to mention perhaps bring up concerns of avian flu.

My bird phobias aside—they are fierce little dinosaurs, aren’t they?—please make sure you’re not confusing “flu” vs. “flue” vs. “flew.”

“Flue” is the sickness, an abbreviated form of influenza.
“Flue” is the opening in a chimney that allows the smoke and fumes to escape.
“Flew” is the past tense of “fly.”

Maybe you’ve heard of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” but here’s hoping a bemused cuckoo isn’t in your flue. Or that the cuckoo didn’t give you the flu. Or that it didn’t peck at you. Yikes.

Watch your spelling carefully, folks!

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