So, since there are a lot of pedants around this morning, please explain to me why you say kil-OM-etre, but not kil-OG-ram

[RustyBear]

And 'Because everyone does' is not a sufficient answer.

It's a kilo-metre: 1,000 metres, that's what its name means - so why does everyone stress the OM.
And, if you do, why don't you say kil-OG-ram?

If anyone comes up with a convincing answer I may consider changing my ways (though not while my Dad is still alive, I don't think he's forgiven me yet for giving in to the majority and calling vinyl Vie-nil)

[PenelopePitstops]

i dont stress the om

i say the o sound in both the same

is it not american to stress the OM

[TooTicky]

I say KIL-o-gram

[TooTicky]

Sorry, I meant KIL-o-metre

[Sanguine]

err, I say KILL-o-metre, but that might be because of my midlands upbringing.

[Slubberdegullion]

I know no one who stresses the OM. If I did I would have to chastise them (with a pointed stick).

Kil - o - metre

Kil - o - gram

I am not a pedant btw, just a mild science knower.

[Niecie]

I think I say them with both with the same emphasis - not very good at writing this stuff phonetically though.

I say kil-o-metre and kil-o-gram.

[Tutter]

becasue the english language is a wily and fickle beast

i've told you the 'ghoti' thing before, no?

[Niecie]

Do you mean like the Americans say kil-om-etre?

[RustyBear]

Well, I think it's probably American - but it seems to be everywhere these days - I asked in the staff room at school & not one of the teachers/TAs says it like I do, although one of them (who's a pedant like me) admitted it was more logical my way - and made it more obvious for the kids to remember how many metres in a kilometre.

I'm glad to find some allies....

[Twiglett]

KEE-lo-meet-er

KEE-lo-gram

[RustyBear]

'ghoti' is 'fish' isn't it tutter?

Listen to TV reporters & you'll hear the OM everywhere....

[FluffyMummy123]

Message withdrawn

[Twiglett]

shouts 'fish' at Tutter

[BeauLocks]

kil-o-metre
kil-o-gram

Although I refer miles and pounds myself but that is because I am ancient.

[RustyBear]

I am relieved to find so many right-thinking people on here.
(Personally, I don't care if people say keelo or killo, as long as they don't do the OM bit)
Obviously I live in a strange enclave of OM- sayers and this is not typical of society as a whole....

[Tutter]

rusty and twig to the top of the class

damn, have i nothing new to tell?

[IorekByrnison]

You can't say kil-O-gram - it just doesn't work metrically/rhythmically. That's why you don't hear it. Would be like saying chim-PAN-zee.

Kil-O-metre does work metrically however, arguably better than KIL-o-metre. Sounds a bit Italianate though. I prefer KIL-o-metre. To rhyme with MILL-i-metre.

[RustyBear]

It's not so much about which syllable you stress though (kil-O-metre or KILL-o-metre), it's more about where you split the word into syllables (kil-o-metre or Kil-om-eter)
The latter is the american way which seems to be creeping in everywhere (though apparently not on MN, thank God!)