Expert: Ted Nesbitt - 1/26/2004

Question
Hi Ted,

I was wondering if you knew what the difference between affixes "-er" and "-ian" is? I've spent so much time searching for the answer, but have been unsuccessful. Why are some people from Toronto called "Torontonians" and those from New York "New Yorkers"? Why not the other way around? Hmmm.. any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

Thanks. =)

-Diana

Answer
Diana:

Once again, Allexperts is not forwarding my questions to me.  I just found your question as I was looking for an answer I sent to another person.  Your question was just sitting there . . .   I have tried to get the message across to the About.com people who have taken over Allexperts that this practice is NOT good.  They have chosen, repeatedly, to ignore me.

I have had your question several times in the past few years.  The answer is simple:  custom decides which prefix wins out over the others [you can add "-ite" to your list], and custom quite often depends on the "pronouncability" of the word.

Here is the explanation from "The Columbia Dictionary of American Usage" --

The suffixes -er and -or are called agentive endings and usually are added to verbs to make new nouns meaning “someone who performs whatever action the verb stem describes” (driver; conductor). American English has many such words, for which the suffixes seem almost randomly chosen. In certain instances, however (see SAILER), each word preserves a semantic distinction; in still others the meaning is the same, but the spelling is in divided usage (See ADVISER). Other agentive endings added to other parts of speech include -ist (physicist) and -ian (grammarian). See also -ESS.

Although this comment is not in reference to PLACE NAMES, it, nevertheless applies -- "almost randomly chosen."

I remember a gentleman from Detroit wanting to know why he was a "Michigander" instead of a "Michiganian" or a "Michiganite."  You can see the problem with pronouncing "Michiganian," and "Michiganite" sounds like a gem stone or a metallic ore!  Of course, "Michigander" sounds to me like a kind of "duck."  I suppose, in keeping with the two choices you mentioned, that the "proper" term should be "Michiganer."  But the people chose -- at random, with no consultation of "rules" [which don't exist, anyway] to call themselves "Michiganders."

There are actually references to "New Yorkians."  If you search the web, you will find them.  They are from rather peculiar or obscure groups.

"Torontoers" just sounds laughable.

And could you really accept "Virginiaers" or "Virginers" or "Virginiaites" or "Virginites"?  

The people have made the decision.  And the people probably didn't consult an "etymological rules."

Some people, a few years ago, tried to start a movement to call Massachusetts people, "Massachushians"  or "Massachusians."  As far as I know, they got NOWHERE.  In fact, the people of that state are usually called "people from Massachusetts" or "Bay Staters."

Diana -- your inquisitive mind is wonderful!  But, your question is one of those "unanswerable" ones, because the custom is based on the choice of the people and those choices do not follow any "accepted procedure."

Ted Nesbitt

Your evaluation of my answer and nomination as volunteer of the month are the ONLY payments I receive for my service at Allexperts.  Thank you.  TN