Going into the reeds on this one...
In compounds, English uses the base form of verbs (running shoes, swimming
pool). With read, that base is pronounced reed, so we get REED RECEIPT.
Rule of thumb:
• reed = technical/functional, ongoing state
• red = human/literary, past experience
More sysadmin examples (all pronounced reed, since they describe functions,
properties, or ongoing states):
• read-only memory (non-writable storage)
• read latency (delay in retrieving data)
• read permission (file system rights)
• read access (ability to open/view data)
• read lock (database concurrency control)
Carl "Likes-To-Hang-Out-With-Sys-Admins" Blesius
22 TPR
P.S. Let me know if you want more examples over a glass of red!
> On Aug 15, 2025, at 9:21 PM, Rob Stringer via Lincoln
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Is “read receipt” pronounced “red” receipt or “reed” receipt?
>
> The internet is no help, so I am asking the pros from LT.
>
> Rob Stringer
> 15 TPR
>
>
> --
> The LincolnTalk mailing list.
> To post, send mail to [email protected].
> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/.
> Change your subscription settings at
> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
>
--
The LincolnTalk mailing list.
To post, send mail to [email protected].
Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/.
Change your subscription settings at
https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
