From: news@yoss1960.ukfsn.org   
      
   On Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:23:18 +0000, Johnny B Good wrote:   
      
   >  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   
      
   I had to check on Molybdenum, but knew tantalum from being the electronics   
   industry for quite a long time.  Tantalum is used in the manufacture of   
   certain types of capacitor.   
      
   > 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   
      
   It doesn't sound too bad to me, but that's probably because I'm used to   
   seeing Hercule's surname on this very list.   :-)   
      
   > 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   
      
   IKWYM;  It's the emphasised second syllable, rather than the fourth, with   
   the -ium ending.  Or at least, that's why it sounds 'wrong' to me.   
      
   >  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.   
      
   An excellent idea.  Another way I can seriously screw up my kids.   :-))   
      
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