Commonly mispronounced words

Shawnee123 · 04-19-2007, 06:16 PM

Mackinac Island is pronounced Mackinaw.

I got extra credit in 7th grade history because our teacher was talking about Edinburgh and I told him he was pronouncing it incorrectly. He said "Really? show me." (Not in a mean way, he was a sweetheart) So I pulled out the encyclopedia and showed him. He was amazed. Know how I knew? I had a big crush on the Bay City Rollers in 6th grade.

Around here we have Russia (rooshie) Versailles (ver-sales) and Houston (house-ton). But we're pretty hick-ified in these parts.

monster · 04-19-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Mackinac Island is pronounced Mackinaw.

have we mentioned Michigan yet? Brits pronounce it MiTchigan. We did when we moved here. Boy, does that piss people off! (Brits: It's MiSHigan. Like Michelle)
Even the immigration guy at Newark was upset when we told him where we were headed. Newark! Where pronunciation butchery is a compulsory class for elementary school graduation.

Kingswood · 04-19-2007, 10:31 PM

For many place names, pronunciation is not at all obvious for various reasons and not everyone knows the necessary shibboleth.

If you are a local, the correct pronunciation of the place name is not obvious from the spelling, and correct pronunciation is really THAT important to you, then either put up the correct pronunciation on the signs that say WELCOME TO (insert place name here), or learn to put up with incorrect pronunciation from time to time.

I live in Melbourne (the big city in Oz, not the little place in Florida). We are as guilty of anyone of having a place name with a correct pronunciation that is not immediately obvious. It's MEL-b@n (@ = schwa), NOT MEL-borrn. There are three silent letters that are not pronounced, including the "r". I tend to fall in the put-up-with-it school, but if I had the means, motive and opportunity would consider a quick pronunciation addition to the big "Welcome to Melbourne" sign on the freeway from the airport. Preferably on April 1st, where it would be more likely to be dismissed as an April Fool's prank.

04-19-2007, 06:16 PM	#1
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Mackinac Island is pronounced Mackinaw. I got extra credit in 7th grade history because our teacher was talking about Edinburgh and I told him he was pronouncing it incorrectly. He said "Really? show me." (Not in a mean way, he was a sweetheart) So I pulled out the encyclopedia and showed him. He was amazed. Know how I knew? I had a big crush on the Bay City Rollers in 6th grade. Around here we have Russia (rooshie) Versailles (ver-sales) and Houston (house-ton). But we're pretty hick-ified in these parts. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

04-19-2007, 10:31 PM	#3
Kingswood Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne, Vic Posts: 316	For many place names, pronunciation is not at all obvious for various reasons and not everyone knows the necessary shibboleth. If you are a local, the correct pronunciation of the place name is not obvious from the spelling, and correct pronunciation is really THAT important to you, then either put up the correct pronunciation on the signs that say WELCOME TO (insert place name here), or learn to put up with incorrect pronunciation from time to time. I live in Melbourne (the big city in Oz, not the little place in Florida). We are as guilty of anyone of having a place name with a correct pronunciation that is not immediately obvious. It's MEL-b@n (@ = schwa), NOT MEL-borrn. There are three silent letters that are not pronounced, including the "r". I tend to fall in the put-up-with-it school, but if I had the means, motive and opportunity would consider a quick pronunciation addition to the big "Welcome to Melbourne" sign on the freeway from the airport. Preferably on April 1st, where it would be more likely to be dismissed as an April Fool's prank. __________________ Ur is a city in Mesopotamia.

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