How Did "REALTOR" Become "Real-a-ter"?

I am with Frank above - I hear it often - even from friends - I just smile.

Chris,

I've heard it many times, and have never corrected anyone...at least so far.

Rich

For  me it sounds very sloppy and causes me to pause before I say something that I shouldn't..I too just smile!

You can find a list of the Top 100 most frequently mispronounced words at http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/mispronounced_words.html

Good post Christopher Pagli . Is it TOMATO or TOMATOE.

So, go to Dictionary.com, and its pronounced "Realter". Hear your yourself at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/realtor?s=t

In Arizona, we have a town called Prescott, but many say 'Prescutt".  We also have a city by the name of Tucson (pronounced like "Tukson") but its pronounced as "Tousson".

I kinda like better... "real estate agent"... because it has the word real estate in it... although it's longer. 

Just having fun with this blog here by the way...

And while I'm at it, I like the sign behind your photo...Be the person your dog thinks you are... that's a great message.

Along with your post point...let this join in...realty and reality. My email has realty in it and the word reality sometimes tries to get my mail....

I know the reason I pronounced realtor wrong was because that's the way I usually heard it.  I was not in the "biz" so I neve really gave it a thought.  When I began my new job that had me dealing with agents everyday, I learned very quickly to pronounce realtor correctly.  I too want to say all words the way they should be pronounced.

Christopher, I guess it depends on what part of the country we are from. In my neck of the woods many people say REAL-IT-TER. We can add this word to the endless list of others that are mispronounced.

and how did Nuclear "new-cleear" become "new que lur" ?  LOL if you pronounce by the placement of the letters you can't fail, but they do!

It's a poorly created brand name. A doctor is a doctor and not a Doactor ;-)

Interesting on TV shows finding a home around the world agents are often referred to as Realtors. As you say only if you are a member of the National Association of Realtors are you one.

A second thought is do the public know or even care if you are a member, do they see any advantage in using a Realtor or not?

It's the same issue as tissues being Kleenex, ear bud cotton swabs being Q-tips and so forth.  The general public thinks that is what they should be called and there is no correction given. 

Don't even get me started on this topic.  It's SIMPLE.  Read it, say it.  Good stuff here.  

The consensus seems to be that it depends upon which part of the country you're from.  That said, it's also a matter of it's spelled - Realtor.

I always cringe when I hear that word, "Real-a-tor". . .I cringe even more when it's coming out of a Realtor's mouth!

Let's say it together now, "REALTOR"!

Laughing OUT LOUD! That was so funny! :)))

I like this one a lot Christopher!! I can't tell you how often I here this even from my fellow REALTOR'S;-) Thanks for sharing.

@marnie #65 above is on target with Coldwell Banker too.

As for "realtor", I'd assumed it was some local accent (NY or Chicago or someplace) that someone then got spread across the country.

Of course, most people can say "agent", but as we all know, not all agents are Realtors.