Easily Confused Words: Tiki vs. Teak

Tiki and teak are easily confused words.

The spell-check application of most word processing software programs would not catch a slip-up of these two words. Spell-check is looking for words that aren’t in its dictionary, and words that resemble words in its dictionary, but are possibly spelled wrong. Spell-check isn’t perfect. It doesn’t know and can’t guess what word you wanted, or what word you meant, it can only judge the words on the page. If you used words that are all spelled correctly, it gives you a pass anyway.

Autocorrect suggests words that start with the same letters. It’s suggesting what word you may want to save time, but quite often, its suggestions are pretty off base. They don’t help you out, but they do make you laugh.

Tiki (pronounced “tee-kee”) has multiple meanings.

• In Polynesian belief, it means the first man of earth, like the biblical Adam.
• It can mean a god or totem carving worn around the neck, or a much larger carving made from a tree trunk or stone surface.
• In fashion and decor, it means a mishmash of idealized island culture that started in the 1930s, but became especially popular on the US mainland after WWII. Trader Vic’s bar is an example of Tiki culture. Decor that comes out every spring for decorating an apartment, house, or backyard pool also has tiki-related themes.

Teak (pronounced “teek”; rhymes with leek, peek, seek)

• As a noun, it means a hardwood tree found in tropical climates. The wood is used for furniture and on boats. Unlike other woods, teak doesn’t react poorly with metal, and it also resists insect infestation.
• As an adjective, it describes objects made from this wood.

The following story uses both words correctly:

Teague spared no expense for a spring break paradise-themed party. Authentic tiki sculptures, made from teak, lined the pool. Fresh catered food made from Caribbean and Polynesian themed recipes framed the bar serving Mexican beer and boat drinks. There were leis for everyone to wear. A lineup of the best local reggae and reggaeton artists would be performing at the party. This was going to be so dope.