# Calling all copyeditor types! re: "Franchiser"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 1, 2001, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757 "2001-10-01T13:39:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757/1 "2001-10-01T13:39:54Z")

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So, which spelling would you suggest?  
“Franchiser” or “Franchisor”

I’m leaning toward the former, although an altavista search seems to indicate the latter is used more often; [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) says both are okay. OED only has the “-er” suffixed one, from what I’ve seen. And the AP style book is of no help at all on this one. What do y’all think?

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**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757/2 "2001-10-01T14:27:38Z")

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Franchisor looks funny. Go with the e.  
Note: IANACopy editor. Yet.

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757/3 "2001-10-01T14:31:48Z")

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Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. “FRANCHISOR” sounds like some 50s sci-fi robot…

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**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757/4 "2001-10-01T15:07:09Z")

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Depends what your usage is. Are you referring to someone who grants a franchise or someone who receives a franchise?

Per Webster’s 10th (what we use here at the magazine), “franchiser” originally meant the same thing as “franchisee” (one who receives a franchise) but is now coming to be used instead of “franchisor” (one who grants a franchise).

In general, American English has been moving away from -or titles for jobs in favor of -er words for some time. But in this case, I’d go with “franchisor” if you mean someone who grants a franchise and “franchisee” if you mean someone who receives a franchise, and avoid “franchiser” altogether to avoid confusion.

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**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757/5 "2001-10-01T15:25:33Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by toadspittle \*  
> \*\*I’d go with “franchisor” if you mean someone who grants a franchise and “franchisee” if you mean someone who receives a franchise, and avoid “franchiser” altogether to avoid confusion. \*\*

That’s right.

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757/6 "2001-10-01T15:35:14Z")

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Ah!! Perfect! So “-or” it shall be. Thanks **Shelbo** , thakns **toad**.

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**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2001, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-copyeditor-types-re-franchiser/84757/7 "2001-10-01T17:28:39Z")

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Black’s Law Dictionary (6th ed.) says franchisor.

–Cliffy