Usage Dictionary

bellwether / bellweather

The leader that shows the way, and the false spelling.

Write bellwether. A wether is a castrated male sheep. The bellwether wore the bell that the flock followed. Bellweather is a mistake. The word has nothing to do with weather.

Examples

UseHardware stores are a bellwether for the trade.

AvoidHardware stores are a bellweather for the trade.