I mean, I know it’s always been spelled that way, but I grew up pronouncing it “real-ter” (and my mom even briefly worked in a Century 21 office)… Has it always been real-TOR and I’ve just been some mispronouncing yokel?
This link indicates something about a voice-over emphasizing the long ‘o’ in the second syllable. I’ve heard similar things in news bites in words like ‘investigaTOR’, so maybe it’s similar. I personally wouldn’t emphasize it, but I wouldn’t find it jarring to hear someone else.
Hypercorrection, I think – people are under the impression that overpronouncing the final syllable makes them sound more “proper.” I also hear a lot of people say “legislaTOR” when they’re trying to sound formal, and it drives me crazy.
I generally say legislaTOR because legislature sounds so similar if I didn’t and I want to make it clear I speaking of the individual, not the whole body.
As it’s a bogus marketing term invented in 1916 to shed the slimy impression of “real estate agent” and is still trademarked by the association of Realtors or whatever, I’d say it deserves a goofy pronunciation.
Please just don’t say “Real-it-er,” which seems to be the preferred pronunciation in much of New Jersey!
They’re trying to distinguish themselves from realters, which is apparently a back-formation from Realtor for people trying to be something more than a real estate agent, but less than a properly certified/licensed Realtor.
With trademarks, it’s all about showing that attempt to preserve the distinction, so they lean on that final TOR.
I know people who say ree - lah - tor. shudder
Yeah, one of my sisters says “real-a-tor”. She also says “hot water heater”. I think she was adopted.
StG
Does she say “JOO-luree”?
It’s fun that we have one of these threads every six months or so. 