I always think of it as “dumpster,” or, more precisely, a hamster in a dumpster, rooting through all the stuff…that, or Unseen University’s hamster-run computer (like the SDMB’s) and its +++Out of Cheese Error+++.
My son calls his hamper his “hampster”. As in, “I put my clothes in the dirty clothes hampster”. Say it out loud, it is pretty funny. No, really. Well, it cracks ME up every time.
Feh. Anyone who thinks the little bastards don’t have a P in them has never forgotten to change the wood chips.
Well, at that point they don’t have a P in them. 
So why the hell do the majority of people I know pronounce it with a “p”?
I dunno, but if it were there, the “p” would be silent.
The ham-ster! Makin’ copies…the haminator! Hama-lama-ding-dong!
I just found this site.
How?
It seems to have replaced one of favourite webcomics :mad:
This is probably some evil hacker’s doing. Though I’m not going to rule out the cartoonist’s own sick sense of humour. Here’s hoping it’s back up by tomorrow.
hey!
First, I’ve been spelling this way for years, and years & YEARS.
Since I was approx. 7, and forever stuck with this nickname(wish I’d know it at the time), and wanting to differentate from the little fuzz-balls.
Looooong before the hampster dancers.
Also, it is a semi legitimate regional spelling.
Woah, and here I thought the last poster was going to be a sock puppet!
Cool! Unless of course, you have the power to predict the future, and registered over a year and a half ago JUST for this purpose.
Why no, I’m not wearing my tinfoil hat. Why do you ask?
sigh no, I only have the stunning ability to read the present,
but given today is my first day reading the SDMB in about 4 months, it is not uncool.
Actually, lately it’s been one of my biggest fantasies to be a sock pup- cough
nevermind…
:o
differentiate
Executive Notice
From: The Board
To: hampster
Date: January 2001
You are hereby ordered forthwith and henceworth to change your name immediately. If you do not choose a new name within the next 18 months, one will be chosen for you. a playful name like RunsWithFerrets or CrotchSniffer. You have the right to appeal this automatic name change, but if you appeal this name change your right to be on the Straight Dope Mailing list will cease.
This is your penultimate warning!
hmm…
after careful consideration, and extensive research into an appeal; I have only one thing to say.
phbbt 
Sorry, but I have too many years invested in establishing name recognition (Especially across boards).
so you can see we’ve reached an impass.
You could always give up your irrational, obsessive-compulsive grammarianness.
‘Cause I’m not changin’ my name, not for you not for anybody.
But then my Canadianess kicks in and I’m compelled (entirely against my nature) to seek a compromise.
Get 500 Dopers to sign a petition for it, and I’ll consider dropping the silent “p”.
Oh, wait - it’s all clear now. You’re from Canada!
That’s Canpada to you, buddy!
Hey, I resemble that remark!
(By the way, if that was the penultimate threat, what is the ultimate threat?)
I cannot tell you. But it does involve bampoo shoots.
You guys crack me the hell up. God bless this board. “Canpada”, indeed!
Nuh-uh! Besides, isn’t “semi-legitimate” just another word for “illegitimate”? :p;)
You’re a very funny person.
Bamboo shoots, when properly prepared can be delicious;
with fava beans and a nice chianti
It might be.
j66, thank you for getting the joke. As intelligent as this board is, I didn’t expect anybody to get the reference.