Halo 3 hits one million pre-orders
No it doesn't.
It hits one million orders.
The prefix is completely irrelevant.
If I phone for a pizza to be delivered immediately, I have order a pizza.
If I phone for a pizza to be delivered tonight, I have ordered a pizza.
If I phone for a pizza to be delivered on Friday, I have ordered a pizza.
If I order a pizza to be delivered on Christmas day - I have still ordered a pizza.
Pre means to do something in advance. An Order is an oral or written request for something to be made, supplied or served.
So, to order something in advance of ordering it is impossible.
Please add pre-order to Lappie and mobe and all the other stupid words.
Cheers. Ivan