`  :::Ehem, ``correct`` spelling? May I remind you that English was invented in England and American spelling only came about because someone was too lazy to learn so wrote his own dictionary. I know kids tried to do that to get around school classes but for an whole nation! Sorry, but it is not correct, it is a different language! p :::Sorry, had to make that rant (that's the short version!), and it is UK-IE spelling to be exact as all European articles follow the English used in Europe, not America. ``The Union`` and ``EU`` is nothing to do with spelling, it is just has better flow in my opinion. ``EU`` isn't a very good acronym. -    ::::It was meant to be inflammatory, but I figured I could get away with a little good-natured ribbing. ) You're right it's not so much spelling, but probably more accurate to compare it to using odd words like ``lift``, ``petrol``, ``bonnet``, and ``boot`` for the more proper ``elevator``, ``gas``, ``hood``, and ``trunk``. I've never heard anyone on this side of the pond call it simply ``the Union``, but that's no doubt because we don't talk about it that much at all. Regardless, it would be quite clear from context that ``the Union`` == ``the European Union``.  | `