why isnt it threeteen or fiveteen...or fiveth or threeth...as with the others...?

[joko]

i know 1 and 2 seem to get separate words like second and first...but why are 5 and 3 always written differently...? third and fifth.
fifty not fivety etc
all the others are the number with an addition like teen or ty on the end

thanks

[Old_Geezer]

I believe there is a difference. Evolution is change that makes something fit it's environment better than before. To reverse non-useful change is, to some extent, also "change just for the sake of it"; although it could be argued that if the old version made more sense, then it would be worthwhile. Whether folk judge "feuortig" as being a useful spelling, I shall leave them to decide.

[swedeheart]

No Old_Geezer, evolution is change that - as time goes by - *proves* itself to be 'fit' (as in survival of the fittest). We never know in advance. Language is an organism and for every new word or turn of phrase that survives to annoy you;-), thousands perish.