State Comptoller Adkins

Dec 12, 2002, 10:35 PM ET20 posts by 10 posters
20 posts
Scott Munro

I was about to post a complaint about Skinner's pronunciation of "comptroller," which is, of course, actually pronounced "controller."

However, when I looked the word up to make certain of my facts, I found this:

<http://www.bartleby.com/61/3/C0610300.html>

"USAGE NOTE: In the 15th century, the word controller developed the alternate spelling comptroller as a result of an association between the first part of the word, cont, and the etymologically unrelated word count and its variant compt. Although the historical pronunciation of comptroller would be the same as for controller, evidence suggests that the spelling pronunciations (kmp-trlr) and (kmptrlr) may now be used by a majority of speakers. In a recent survey, 43 percent of the Usage Panel indicated that they pronounce comptroller like controller, while 57 percent pronounce it with mp, as it is spelled, with stress on either the first or second syllable. And half of those Panelists who pronounce comptroller like controller indicated that they also consider the spelling pronunciations acceptable."

Isn't that fascinating?

Well, isn't it?!

What happens when a lighthearted and humorous film intended to teach children about bicycle safety turns into a bizarre and surrealistic vision of a world gone mad? http://home.attbi.com/~onegotfat/
Chris®Scott Munro

Many states have "comptrollers", including mine (New York). It's the word "controller" which is the common mispronunciation.

"I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now, what I'm with isn't it, and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me" - Abraham Simpson

R H MenzelChris®

Chris� wrote in message news:[email]...

Hmm! Most people I know refer to me as "controller".

Oh, wait a minute! It's actually, "controlling bastard", so I guess their saying it correctly.

-Bob

Michael MorbiusPray For Mojo

Pray For Mojo wrote:

"Where I come from--Canada..."

Michael Morbius http://www.vcn.bc.ca/~morbius/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michaelmorbius2000 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/purplecrow3000
Michael MorbiusScott Munro

I pronounce it "comptroller." However upon reading your post I realized that outside of *The Simpsons* I'd never physically heard it said. Mispronouncing words according to their spelling often comes from having seen words but never heard them. OTOH I think I still prefer "comptroller." It's a silly word so we might as well get the entertainment value out of it that comes from pronouncing it like it's spelled.

Michael Morbius http://www.vcn.bc.ca/~morbius/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michaelmorbius2000 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/purplecrow3000
Mark WildenMichael Morbius

"Michael Morbius" wrote in message news:atf0j5$mk7$[email]...

Like epitome. :(

Digital PuerMark Wilden

adamant chrysalis proselytize

Whenever I read a new word, I never think of putting the stress on the first vowel for some reason.

Mark WildenDigital Puer

"Digital Puer" wrote in message news:[email]...

clitoris

I love saying "proselytize," don't you?

R H MenzelMichael Morbius

Michael Morbius wrote in message news:atf0j5$mk7$[email]...

Now, let's all pronounce this:

Owah tagoo Siam!

Chris®R H Menzel

Owah tagoo Siam...

Hey, the ghost in my air conditioner is gone!

"I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now, what I'm with isn't it, and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me" - Abraham Simpson

Scott MunroChris®

On Sat, 14 Dec 2002 14:50:16 -0500 (EST), [email] (Chris�) wrote:

Somewhere out in the great unknownnnnn... We know there's a spirit named Irving Coh'nnnnn.

What happens when a lighthearted and humorous film intended to teach children about bicycle safety turns into a bizarre and surrealistic vision of a world gone mad? http://home.attbi.com/~onegotfat/
R H MenzelChris®

Chris� wrote in message news:[email]...

Heal, heal, heal! Do you feel the power?

R H MenzelJames Q. Morrissey

James Morrissey wrote in message news:atg5du$eni$[email]...

Sorry, sor-ry! How much did you wager? Oo-oo! All of it. You won't be in "Final Jeopardy". But you will receive this lovely parting gift.......

JD44C8/USAR H Menzel

["R H Menzel"; Sat, 14 Dec 2002 23:42:07 GMT]

Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss! ("Hooooooo ...")

JD44C8/USA ([email] [ROT-13])
R H MenzelJD44C8/USA

JD44C8/USA <jd44c8/usa> wrote in message news:[email]...

I guess THIS "Odd Couple" reference was a little too obscure.

-Bob (too much of a Leonard Barr fan)

Chris®R H Menzel

But it was happy, peppy & bursting with love.

"I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now, what I'm with isn't it, and what's "it" seems weird and scary to me" - Abraham Simpson

R H MenzelChris®

Chris� wrote in message news:[email]...

Now, everybody smile and say, "midget"! Aarrgghhhiiieee! I mean "cheese" (honk, honk)