Kill-o-meter

I go on a rant on how to pronounce the word "kilometer". Seriously. But it's funny.

Well, *I* think it is.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• metric
• system
• phil
• plait
• bad
• astronomy
• canada
• kilometer
• william
• shatner

[TheCuriosity1]

you spelled it wrong. It's kilometre.



[robloid]

Hey Phil, until your country actually gets out of the dark ages and actually uses the Metric System, don't tell us how to pronounce our words. We don't tell you how to spell colour or neighbour.

[dudev]

If it's a device for measuring something. like a refractometer, then it's pronounced mə-tər. If it's a unit of measurement, like a kilometer, then it's pronounced mē-tər. That's my rule.

[baldurus1]

Can't divide by 10 argh can't  gnrhg do it too gnrhg hard.

[PlatSoul]

i think it has some latin influence on that. in brazil we write and speak like miLímetro, cenTímetro, deCímetro and so, kiLômetro. thats in portuguese and i think spanish wont be much different

[PykohYT]

@robloid Actually, some of you do tell us how to spell colo(u)r or Neighbro(u)r.

[Haukthefurry]

@skyblue9696 Rome -Roma does not really matter

[Momentimum]

I agree however, we say it the way we do because it's like a short cut. a smoother way to say such a commonly used word. Tomato Tomoto

[DyslexicBibliophile2]

i'm Australian and i use both. i've never thought about it before so after mulling it over and considering all posible linguistic, scientific and ethical consequences, i think i'll continue to use both. thanks Phil.

[skyblue9696]

All of you haters who keep saying that Americans spell things wrong, SHUT THE F*CK UP! We don't spell things wrong, just different. Who f*cking cares if its spelled "color" or "colour" or if its spelled "meter" or "metre"? It's the same word! But if I had to take sides, I'd say that if you think the British spelling is better, you're NUTS! At least we spell "gaol" as "jail" with a J! You know, how it's ACTUALLY PRONOUNCED! Just lay off! I personally don't say that you guys spell it wrong.

[zooey6]

You make a good argument, and while I can't disagree with your central point, there are so many things that Americans like to spell and pronounce incorrectly. So, I am going to hold on to my kilOmetRE for as long as I can spell it correctly :P

[function8key]

Totally agree with what you're saying Phil. I'm from Britain and our traditional pronunciation is with stress on the first syllable but we're increasingly hearing people - especially the younger generation - put stress on the second syllable which is totally wrong. At least the BBC advice stress on the first syllable. Great video to put the argument across!