# Let's all try to spell "hamsters" without a "P", shall we? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 8, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808 "2003-05-08T01:38:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/21 "2003-05-08T12:10:31Z")
Hampster is my pet peeve. Otherwise intelligent people will spell disestablishmentarianism and the entire atlas of Wales correctly, but not the word ‘hamster’. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/22 "2003-05-08T12:46:15Z")
Well, using Insane Troll Logic[sup]TM[/sup], hamster backward is retsmah. Hampster backward is retspmah. Since the former is far easier to pronounce, I’ll go with hamster. No ‘p’. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/23 "2003-05-08T12:47:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scarlett67 \* > \*\* The OP’s link is to a Google search on the incorrect spelling, which shows only that 9,280 pages have webmasters with limited spelling skills. Notice that the Google search asks, “Did you mean to Search for _hamsters_?” which returns 253,000 hits for the correct spelling. 3.6 percent hardly calls for stopping the presses at Merriam-Webster. > \*\* OTOH, I despair at the proliferation of the verb “to mastErbate”, whatever that activity is. Does it have to do with abusing original recording tapes? Maybe I’ll ask my good pal “JRDelerious”. OK, now let’s watch Gaudere’s law come get me… Maybe we can propose to the producers of Hamtaro a special where the little guy goes on vacation to America and winds up in the Hamptons. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/24 "2003-05-08T12:51:06Z")
…Or, in Hampden in Baltimore, where he learns to say “hon” and has really, really big hair. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/25 "2003-05-08T14:14:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BraheSilver \* > \*\*Well, yes, but of course they weren’t called that. > > “But… but… does that mean I throw the trash in the Dumster?” \*\* Only if you’re done with your hamp sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/26 "2003-05-08T14:22:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Laughing Lagomorph \* > \*\* BTW I looked in several online dictionaries and hampster wasn’t in any of them. If someone can find a reputable dictionary entry for it, I withdraw my rant. \*\* Get a better dictionary. OED listed “hampster” and “hamester” as alternate spellings almost 100 years ago, while implicitly confirming that “hamster” is “normal” spelling. ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/27 "2003-05-08T14:33:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scarlett67 \* > \*\*Thanks, **Davebear,** I aim to please. (Must . . . refrain . . . can’t . . . resist . . . aaaaagh!) You aim too, please! > > :: Scarlett bitch-slaps herself, then goes to sit in the corner :: \*\* LOL! Oh, my aim is plenty good enough to please. 😉 _kisses Scarlett’s inflamed cheek to take the burn out of it_ ---
**Author:** ![chukhung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@chukhung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chukhung)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/28 "2003-05-08T16:27:39Z")
A quick run of Yahoo’s People Search came up with an “F Hampster” in Honesdale, PA. I can’t bring myself to call the number up and verify it, though. “Hello, is this the Hampster residence?” “Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak.” “Sir, you’ll need to get off the wheel and come closer to the phone. I can’t hear you.” ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/29 "2003-05-08T16:47:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Asylum \* > \*\*Were there grammar Nazis before the twentieth century? \*\* Of course there were. But they were all members of l’Académie Francaise. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/30 "2003-05-08T17:00:57Z")
Well, I’m too lazy to go and find my Langenscheidt (now there’s a name to conjure with) German dictionary right now\*, but I thought the name came from a German verb to do with “to store”, given the creatures’ wise habit of filling their little mouths as far as they can. Anyway - I _never_ spell it as “hampster” and I am infallible Pope Celyn the First. - Actually my living room is far too messy to make the searching worthwhile, but it comes down to the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/31 "2003-05-08T17:07:03Z")
OK, we’ve got the spelling all cleared up. The next and more important thing that everyone has to understand is that **there is only one hamster**. That’s right. A single lonely rodent powers the entire weight of the SDMB. Please be kind to the hamster. ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/32 "2003-05-08T17:14:28Z")
I used to have a dog named Fish. Hamster. Little ham. How cute would it be to have teeny little bite-sized hams for Easter instead fo having to carve a huge regular-sized one? \Mmmmm… poooooooork…\ ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/33 "2003-05-08T17:29:32Z")
Just FTR! [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=126014&highlight=hamster](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=126014&highlight=hamster) ---
**Author:** ![Sengkelat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Sengkelat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sengkelat)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/34 "2003-05-08T18:06:31Z")
The OED says what? ARGH! I can’t believe I put my full, unabridged OED into long term storage when I moved. Didn’t I realize that I’d need it? Am I stupid? What was I thinking?? But, since I can’t find it… hamster hamster hamster. My folks explained this to me when I was five, and I haven’t forgotten it. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/35 "2003-05-08T20:18:31Z")
I must admit that I _like_ seeing it spelled hampster, as long as I’m reasonably sure people are doing it on purpose. If they’re spelling it that way because they think it really is spelled that way, then that’s just inexcusable. ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/36 "2003-05-08T22:44:06Z")
Here’s this hamsterette’s opinion: (note correct spelling) It will forever be spelled **hamster** to me, and to the other folk out there who have good spelling skills. I cringe when it’s spelt “hamPster”… even if it’s on purpose, although that’s a little more excusable than if the people spelling it that way think that really is the correct spelling. Like I said the last time this topic was brought up: This whole thing reminds me of that horrible song that came out a few years back: “The Hamster Dance” by Hampton the Hamster. Truly a horribvle, cheesy video. F\_X ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/37 "2003-05-08T23:15:10Z")
From the moment I saw this thread title, [THIS](http://www.oceanbluepools.com/hamster/) has been trapped in my head. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/38 "2003-05-09T00:16:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Earl Snake-Hips Tucker \* > \*\*Get a better dictionary… \*\* I would be happy to, if you would be so kind as to forward to me the $895 necessary for the 20 volume set of the OED. My money has been going to such frivolous things as paying the mortgage, buying food for my child etc. A check would be fine. I guess I should have mentioned in the OP I was open to cites from other dictionaries. Oh wait, I did. Well, at least you supplied information that was unavailable to me in a non-snarky manner. Oh wait (re-reads thread) Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/39 "2003-05-09T00:21:15Z")
Well, fine, if you’re gonna be so opnoxious about it… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808/40 "2003-05-09T00:23:10Z")
> [@](#): > > **$895** necessary for the 20 volume set of the OED (bolding mine) No shit? Dang. Words is pricey! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-all-try-to-spell-hamsters-without-a-p-shall-we/173808.md?page=3)