I think Pat's point might be that UK spelling differentiates between a tool for measurement (e.g. micrometer, pronounced my-KRAH-muh-ter) and a unit (or subunit) of measurement (e.g. micrometre, pronounced MY-kroh-mee-ter). US English merges the two spellings and therefore provides no visible differentiation of the two classes of words.
As for America's mighty rise to power, I think our current situation is reminiscent of these descriptive words of a famous British historian: "In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilised portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valour. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period (A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the nations of the earth." Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter 1 ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:00 AM Subject: [USMA:34531] Re: spelling > Daniel Jackson, 17 September 2005: > > >...The common mispronunciation of key-low-me-ter as kill-om-et-er > > is directly a result of the mis-spelling of the word. > > This is not true at all -- the spelling metre vs. meter does not > affect which syllables are accented. "killAHmeter" is perfectly > consistent with many other English words (e.g., hygrometer, > odometer, spectrometer, thermometer).
