Super-Quick English Writing Tips #1: Regime vs Regimen

In what is, I admit, a wild departure from the usual content I share here, I wanted to take a hot minute to chat about something that’s been driving me absolutely bloody nuts lately. I’ve been seeing it everywhere, from Instagram to books, on TV – even in reputable, trusted news outlets’ content… And guys, it’s annoying the SHIT out of me. So let’s clear it up right now with some fast and furious English writing tips, hmm?

I know I sound like I’m being a bit picky (and maybe even a bit of a dickhead about it), but it’s important to me for reasons I can neither verbalise nor, frankly, comprehend. Yet it’s the one rule I try to instil in every writer or editor I’ve ever mentored; the knowledge my final ‘gift’ to editorial teams on my last day in news rooms all over the city… So with all of that, allow me to explain…

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘REGIME’ AND ‘REGIMEN’
(and when to use each one)

Stoooop stop stop, don’t click away yet. I’ll keep this so fucking quick, because it’s EASY and you WILL remember it with literally zero effort, and then you can use each word correctly if you so choose (or be a total badass and use the wrong one on purpose, you sexy little rebel).

A regime is a system of government, and the word’s usually associated with government systems with a shitty, overlord-y kind of vibe. Dictatorships and whatnot. I guess you could say I am getting a bit regime-y about the difference between regime vs regimen.

A regimen, on the other hand, is an organised plan for improving your health or wellbeing, like saaaay a diet, exercise, therapies, medicines and (ahem) skincare (there it is!).

Sooooo… you don’t have a skincare regime. Or a workout regime, or a diet regime. Unless you have a dictator telling you what you eat, when to workout and forcing you to take off your makeup before bed (which you kind of should be doing anyway but we’re not here for that today), then I guess you might have a regime in those areas.

Not sure? Still stuck on whether to use regimen or regime?

Here’s the stupidly simple rule to remember:

If it’s not a system of government, guys, it’s a regimen.

Full stop.

End of story.

That’s it.

Though I will say, ‘regime’ is admittedly so often used where ‘regimen’ should be that it’s probably five minutes away from being dubbed as having ‘regiment’ as an alternative meaning (like, remember how they added the additional meaning of ‘metaphorically’ to the word ‘literally’ ?. Yep, ‘literally’ is dictionary defined as meaning ‘metaphorically’. But I digress.)

So do with this information whatever the fuck you will, because English is constantly changing and evolving. But if, like me, you’re a stickler for being ‘right’, well, now you know how to be when it comes to these two little words.

You’re welcome, boo x