On Sun, Dec 06, 2009 at 05:58:02PM +0300, Хихин Руслан wrote:
> Здравствуйте Dmitry V. Levin
>   В сообщении от 6 декабря 2009 Dmitry V. Levin написал(a):
> > > "оператор гаячного ключа" и "гаячный ключ".
> > > По этому, строго говоря, adaptor != adapter.
> >
> > Why do you think so?  Please provide a link.
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adapter

It says that "both spellings in use in UK English [although US usage often
is adapter for a person and adaptor for a device]", but no link provided in
the article confirms this statement.  Most of dictionary articles describe
"adaptor" just as "another spelling of adapter".

There is a little style difference, however.
According to various internet discussions,
in BrE both spellings are equal, but "adaptor" is less often.
in AmE, both spellings are also equal, but "adaptor" is less natural when
talking about human beings.


-- 
ldv