You’re sitting at your desk. You’ve got a stack of papers that needs to be organized, and you reach for that trusty metal-and-plastic contraption. But then you stop. You have to write a memo or a supply request, and suddenly, your brain glitches. How do you spell stapler? It feels like one of those words that should be simple, yet the more you stare at it, the weirder it looks. Is there a "p" or two? Does it end in "er" or "or"? It’s a common office-supply-induced existential crisis.
Honestly, English is a mess. We have words like "anchor" and "tailor" that use the "or" suffix, so it’s totally natural to wonder if our favorite paper-fastening tool follows suit. But it doesn't.
The correct spelling is s-t-a-p-l-e-r.
It’s a straightforward derivative of the verb "to staple." You take the base word, "staple," and add the "er" suffix to denote the person or thing that performs the action. Simple, right? Yet, in the heat of a busy workday, even the most seasoned writers can find themselves second-guessing the most basic vocabulary.
Why we get confused by the word stapler
The confusion often stems from how we pronounce the word. In many dialects, that final unstressed syllable sounds like a vague "ur" or "ar" sound, known in linguistics as a schwa. When you aren't thinking about it, "stapler" and "staplor" sound exactly the same.
Think about the word "tractor." Or "editor." Those are "or" words. Then you have "teacher" and "folder." English doesn't have a single, unified rule for when to use which suffix for "one who does the thing." While "er" is the most common Germanic suffix for this, the Latin-based "or" pops up constantly in professional and mechanical contexts. Since a stapler is a mechanical device, your brain tries to categorize it with "compressor" or "generator."
It’s a trap.
There’s also the "staple" part itself. Some people accidentally throw an extra "p" in there—stappler—perhaps influenced by words like "apple" or "grappler." But "staple" comes from the Middle English stapel, meaning a post or a pillar. It’s always been a single-p situation.
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The history of the word and the tool
We didn't always have these things. For a long time, if you wanted to keep papers together, you used ribbons, wax, or straight pins. It was a literal pain.
According to various historical accounts, including some cited by the Early Office Museum, the first "stapling" machines appeared in the late 19th century. One of the earliest patents was granted to Charles Gould in 1868. However, these early machines were clunky. They didn't even use a strip of staples; you had to load one single wire at a time. Can you imagine the frustration?
The word itself evolved alongside the technology. While "staple" referred to the U-shaped fastener, the machine that drove them home needed a name. By the early 1900s, "stapler" became the standard term in catalogs and offices across the globe.
Common misspellings and how to avoid them
If you're worried about your spelling, you aren't alone. Data from search engines shows that people frequently type in variations like:
- Stapelor: Using the "or" ending common in Latin-derived mechanical terms.
- Stapler: (Wait, that’s right!)
- Stappler: Adding an unnecessary second "p."
- Stapeler: Adding an extra "e" before the suffix.
If you find yourself stuck, just remember the root word. Staple. If you can spell that, just tack an "r" on the end. It's that easy.
Kinda funny how we obsess over these tiny details, but in a professional setting, a typo in a supply order makes you look a little less than sharp. Especially if you're the one in charge of the stationery.
Is it different in other versions of English?
Usually, when we talk about spelling, we have to look at the Great Divide: American English vs. British English. You have "color" vs. "colour," "center" vs. "centre."
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But here’s some good news. For "stapler," everyone agrees. Whether you are in London, New York, Sydney, or Toronto, it is spelled stapler. There is no "stapleur" or any other regional variation to worry about. The consistency is actually quite refreshing.
The stapler in popular culture
We can't talk about this word without mentioning the most famous stapler in history: Milton’s red Swingline from the movie Office Space. Interestingly, before that movie came out, Swingline didn't even make a red stapler. They had to custom-paint one for the set.
After the film became a cult classic, the demand for red staplers skyrocketed. Swingline, being smart, finally started producing them for real. It’s a perfect example of how a simple office tool can become a symbol of workplace rebellion.
Not all staplers are created equal
When you are looking for a stapler, you’ll realize the word covers a lot of ground. You’ve got your standard desktop version. Then you’ve got:
- Heavy-duty staplers: For when you're trying to bind a 100-page manifesto.
- Electric staplers: For the truly lazy (or efficient) among us.
- Long-reach staplers: Essential for making booklets or zines.
- Plier staplers: Common in retail for tagging clothes or closing bags.
Each of these is still just a "stapler." No matter how big or small, the spelling remains unchanged.
Beyond the office: Medical and industrial uses
It isn't just for paper. In the medical world, surgeons use "surgical staplers" to close wounds. These are high-tech devices that use titanium staples. The spelling is the same, but the stakes are way higher.
In construction, you have "staple guns." These are the heavy hitters. You use them for upholstery, insulation, or roofing. If you are writing a DIY blog or a manual for a construction site, you still need to get the spelling right. Stapler or staple gun.
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Actionable tips for perfect spelling
If you still struggle with it, or any "er/or" word, here are a few ways to keep your writing clean.
Break it down. Think of the word in two parts: Staple + r. If you can visualize the U-shaped metal staple, you've got the first five letters down.
Use the "Does it look right?" test. Type it out both ways.
Staplor. Stapler. Usually, your brain will recognize the "er" version as the one you've seen on boxes of office supplies for years.
Mnemonic devices. Try a silly phrase. "The stapler is a helper." Since both words end in "er," it creates a mental link that’s hard to break.
Set your autocorrect. If you consistently type "staplor," go into your phone or computer settings and create a shortcut that automatically changes it to the correct spelling. Technology is there to help us with our little quirks.
Final thoughts on the word
At the end of the day, "stapler" is one of those words that feels invisible until you have to spell it. It’s a workhorse of the English language, just like the tool itself is a workhorse of the office. Now that you know the "er" is the way to go, you can go back to your paperwork with one less thing to worry about.
Next Steps for Better Writing:
- Check your most recent office supply order for any "staplor" or "stappler" typos.
- Verify other tricky office words like "stationery" (the paper) vs "stationary" (not moving).
- Always use a spell-checker, but don't rely on it blindly; understanding the root of the word is the best way to ensure accuracy.