It was recently brought to my attention that I have been using “rollerboard” with regards to my carry-on suitcase, instead of “rollaboard”. Feeling pretty sure I had seen it both ways, I had to stop and think. Why do I use “rollerboard”? Am I using the incorrect word? I realized that when I write it out, in my head I hear the “r”, so “rollerboard” looks more correct to me than “rollaboard”. But “rollaboard” is the action–you “roll aboard” your suitcase. Huh.
So I turned to the best place to find answers in this age of information–the Google. I did indeed find instances of both words being used interchangeably, on Amazon and on eBags. I guess technically both are correct, since both are used by suitcase manufacturers. But I am curious about what you guys think.
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I generally find the folks on Flyertalk to be pretty adamant about using “rollaboard.” I defer to them as the experts.
Google:
rollaboard = 718,000 results
rollerboard = 11,600 results
I’ve always used RollerBoard – it’s board with wheels to me.
I don’t usually roll it on board, I usually push the handle down and carry it on as it’s always crowded when boarding, and “carryboard” just have the same je ne sais quoi as “rolleboard” 🙂
You are so current — there’s an article in the New York Times today about the history of the rolling suitcase!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/business/05road.html
Just had this exact thought today when seeing “rollaboard” spelled out on FT. Thanks for writing this up.
“Rolaboard” is correct, “rollerboard” is a corruption based on the fact that it sounds like “rollaboard.” This is simmilar to people calling a piece of furniture a “chester drawers” instead of the correct “chest of drawers.” So many people make the mistake that you’ll see it, but it’s still incorrect.