From: jcs.computersbutt@plugzetnet.co.uk   
      
   The message    
   from Brad Rogers  contains these words:   
      
   > On Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:14:00 +0000, Johnny B Good wrote:   
      
   > >  ITYM "the Americans _were_ correct" :-)   
      
   > Well, alright.   :-)   
      
   > >  Oh, and btw, Humphrey was working with the _compound_, Alum and firstly   
   > > called the metal Aluminum, then decided on the more correct latinate   
   > > spelling (and pronunciation) of Aluminium shortly thereafter.   
      
   > I believe it was a political-literary journal that forced the issue.  They   
   > didn't like -um, and wanted -ium because it had a more classical sound.   
   > It certainly fits better with -ium, in the periodic table of elements, but   
   > there are precedents for -um; Tantalum, Platinum and Molybdenum.   
      
    Yes, I did consider the 'exceptions' (I could only recall Platinum off   
   the top of my head:-) and wondered about turning the um and ium thing on   
   its head, as it where, by trying the ium form for platinum. Somehow,   
   Platinium just 'sounds wrong'. I guess it's more a case of choosing the   
   form which avoids sounding 'clumsy'. To me, aluminium just sounds right,   
   whilst aluminum doesn't. Mind you, I suppose it's as much a case of   
   familiarity as anything else which decides which of the two forms   
   'sounds right'.   
      
    I guess the only way to resolve the issue would be to perform an   
   experiment on a bunch of young children who have not yet been   
   significantly exposed to either of the two names used for   
   aluminium/aluminum whereby they're then exposed to _both_ words in equal   
   measure over a suitable period and then allowed to use their own   
   personal choice. It would be interesting to see if the outcome produces   
   any definite result.   
      
   --   
   Regards, John.   
      
    Please remove the "ohggcyht" before replying.   
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