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On the large map, 'Skagerrak' is spelled 'Skagerrack.' I have seen 'Skagerak' as a possible variant, with one 'r,' but I have not seen it spelled with a 'c.' Is this an error, or my mistake? Thank you.

Interesting one. My rulebook spells it without a c. Playdip spell it with a c, as do we on the orders page as well as the map. I have never actually written it down in full, so can't honestly say I've ever spelt it any way.

More excitingly Google claims there is a gin of that name (no c) made in Denmark. Now that would make a fine prize for a tournament!

I don't think this is an error, as such. Variants in spelling in older documents, maps, and charts is quite commonplace. However, "Rak" meaning "straight waterway" would be the correct spelling from Danish or Norwegian.

The spelling used on Alan Calhamer's board for the first published edition of Diplomacy was "Skagerrack" (Reference 1, you'll have to zoom in) and subsequent editions tended to follow that spelling. I have the 1976 Avalon Hill edition which still uses that spelling.

The 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica also used the spelling "Skagerrack" (Ref 2).

Some maps and charts from the 19th and early 20th century use the spelling "Skager Rack", of which (Ref 3) provides an example.


Sources:

https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/w ... macy/#News

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Enc ... Skagerrack

https://www.naval-history.net/WW1Book-A ... ea-244.jpg

Thanks, Jamiet99uk - very illuminating. Good to know that there are solid precedents for it.