In Funks Grove, it’s spelled “sirup,” not “syrup”

The Daily Vidette, which is the student newspaper of Illinois State University, has posted a story on its online edition about Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup, which is a family business near the tiny Route 66 hamlet of Funks Grove, south of Bloomington.

The story explains the unique spelling of the maple product:

A sign at Funks Grove has this to say about the somewhat unique spelling:”Historically, according to Webster’s Dictionary, ‘sirup’ was the preferred spelling when referring to the product made by boiling sap. ‘Syrup’ with a ‘y’, however, was defined as the end product of adding sugar to fruit juice. Though the ‘I’ spelling is no longer commonly used, the United States Department of Agriculture and Canada also still use it when referring to pure maple sirup. Hazel Funk Holmes, whose trust continues to preserve and protect this timber for maple sirup production insisted on the ‘I’ spelling during her lifetime. It’s another tradition that will continue at Funks Grove.”

And tradition isn’t a small thing at Funks Grove. The family has been selling their own maple sirup there for more than 100 years.

I’ve been in the little Funks Grove store several times. The sirup is fine, but take my advice and buy some maple candy, too.

4 thoughts on “In Funks Grove, it’s spelled “sirup,” not “syrup”

  1. One of the first places my wife and I visited on our first 66 cruise in 2002. Even though they were closed, Gladys came out of her house and opened for us. Just another example of Rt. 66 cordiality. This is one of the things that “hooked” us.

  2. My wife and I drove Rt66 and saw the sign for Funks Grove, so we stopped and tasted a sample of their sirup. BEST sirup I have ever tasted. If near here do NOT pass them up.

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