Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2016 March 21

= March 21 =

British English/Usage question
Can someone provide a link to a reference to confirm this edit right here? I was not aware this was correct usage in British English or that the usage diverged between British and American usages. I can't find any specific guidance one way or the other. If someone has a reference, I would be most appreciative. Thanks! -- Jayron 32 19:30, 21 March 2016 (UTC)
 * Don't have a reference, but I'm an aged Brit and I would always say "founder member". "Founding member" is not wrong, but not the usual style--Phil Holmes (talk) 19:34, 21 March 2016 (UTC).
 * This dictionary does not label "founding member" one way or another, but says "founder member" is BritEng. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 19:36, 21 March 2016 (UTC)
 * Try the OED catslash (talk) 19:43, 21 March 2016 (UTC)
 * That wasn't the Oxford English Dictionary, it was Oxforddictionaries online (though they are both from the same stable). The genuine OED has cites for both "founder member" and "founding member" in British English, though it gives only one cite for the latter form, and does imply that "founder member" is more common on this side of the pond.  Is "founder member" not used in America? It's not in AHD or Merriam-Webster, and both Collins and Macmillan regard it as British.   D b f i r s   20:05, 21 March 2016 (UTC)
 * "Founder member" would be quite unusual in American English. "Founding member" is the idiomatic phrase here. - Nunh-huh 20:11, 21 March 2016 (UTC)
 * Unless, perhaps the member is into casting metal. Deor (talk) 20:15, 21 March 2016 (UTC)
 * Unless perhaps one is into casting in plaster, at which point one is now talking about an entirely different meaning of "member"-- Jayron 32 20:21, 21 March 2016 (UTC)


 * Thanks all. I hadn't heard the phrase before here where we speak the lesser version of English.  Thanks for setting me straight.  All good now.  -- Jayron 32 20:21, 21 March 2016 (UTC)