Comptroller

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Perry Lassiter
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Comptroller

Postby Perry Lassiter » Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:52 pm

Have you all been following the comptroller-controller argument in NY. Seems the holder of the office insists on pronouncing the mp, whereas the "experts" insist the spelling is a holdover from French, and the French always leave out sounds here and there.
Anyone want to weigh (way?) in?
pl

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Slava
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Re: Comptroller

Postby Slava » Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:45 pm

I haven't even heard of the NY controversy, but I admit to having always pronounced the -mp-. Or at least the -m- with a silent -p-, as in swimming. To me, it makes the word officially about financial dealings, not simply control.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

Perry Lassiter
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 3333
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:41 pm
Location: RUSTON, LA
Contact:

Re: Comptroller

Postby Perry Lassiter » Tue Aug 20, 2013 3:12 pm

OK Slava, you forced my hand. Made me do research. I found all dictionaries pronounced it controller except one (AHD) that allowed the mp as a second pronunciation. I gathered the meaning is the same, although with the mp inserted, it seems to apply to more prestigious jobs.
pl


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