Author Topic: Feb(r)uary (Read 5670 times)

saxon75 · « **on:** February 17, 2009, 10:10:19 AM »

This morning I was listening to the news on the radio and when the announcer said the date, he pronounced the first R in "February." That got me to wondering whether that's just the way he says it, or whether media people are coached to pronounce it that way in order to try to have a less regional-sounding accent.

I always leave out the first R, so it comes out more like "Feb-yoo-ary." What about you?

Jonathon · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:17:32 AM »

Technically, it's not that some people leave out the r, but that they change it to a y sound. It's considered wrong by some traditionalists, even though it's quite widespread. I don't think it's a regional thing so much as it is a learned/unlearned distinction. Some people might naturally say it with the r, but I would guess that as a radio announcer he's been trained to say it that way.

I unashamedly pronounce it feb-yoo-a-ry.

Porter · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:22:18 AM »

Same here.

And wenz-day.

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:23:36 AM »

I can't help it, I do pronounce the 'r'. I started to pronounce it that way in elementary school to remember how to spell it, and now it's been way too long to change.

Not that I worry about it.

Jonathon · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:30:43 AM »

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And wenz-day.

That too. But does anyone actually pronounce that one differently? The OED gives only the pronunciations WENZ-day and WENZ-dee. I think it's one of those words like cupboard whose pronunciation has long since left its spelling behind.

Neutros the Radioactive Dragon · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:32:30 AM »

Oddly enough, I prounounce it wenz-day. When I proof a schedule or calendar, I do think wed-nes-day, to aid my spelling. I wonder why February is different in my addled brain.

saxon75 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:41:05 AM »

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Quote
And wenz-day.
That too. But does anyone actually pronounce that one differently? The OED gives only the pronunciations WENZ-day and WENZ-dee. I think it's one of those words like cupboard whose pronunciation has long since left its spelling behind.

I saw an interview with John Mahoney once where he talked about the way his English accent sometimes came out, and that was the word he used. He was pronouncing it as WED-nz-dee and he said it confused the heck out of the director of whatever he was shooting at the time.

Brinestone · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2009, 11:31:52 AM »

I say "Febberary."

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2009, 12:34:26 PM »

I keep the "brew" in Fe-BREW-rary.

Jonathon · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2009, 04:12:49 PM »

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I saw an interview with John Mahoney once where he talked about the way his English accent sometimes came out, and that was the word he used. He was pronouncing it as WED-nz-dee and he said it confused the heck out of the director of whatever he was shooting at the time.

The OED doesn't mention that pronunciation, but apparently Merriam-Webster does. Weird. And even then the pronunciation doesn't quite match the spelling, but that's probably as close as it gets in modern English.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2009, 04:21:38 PM »

"I'll take Months That Start With "Feb" for 500, Alex."

The Genuine · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2009, 04:40:43 PM »

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Oddly enough, I prounounce it wenz-day. When I proof a schedule or calendar, I do think wed-nes-day, to aid my spelling. I wonder why February is different in my addled brain.

That's how I am.

Sheila · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2009, 05:12:59 PM »

Febtober?

saxon75 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:29:12 PM »

What is Febturday?

Porter · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:32:12 PM »

I know kung fu!

The Genuine · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:50:59 PM »

I would love to spar with you, but I don't want to hurt you or get hurt by you. Is WII far enough along to accomodate that?

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:52:57 PM »

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I know kung fu!

I know him, too. He was a math professor back in college.

Farmgirl · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2009, 06:26:21 AM »

Do any of you ever hear Rush Limbaugh? He says the word "schedule" much differently than I do. I thought at first it was just one of his Rush-isms where he was poking fun, but now I'm thinking he really does say it that way. And I have no idea how to write it the way he says it as opposed to the way I say it

edit: well, I'll try

I think I say it: SKED -u-al

he says it: Shhed - u - al (a long SH sounds for the sch)

rivka · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2009, 06:38:52 AM »

You listen to Rush? On purpose? *shudder*

That pronunciation of schedule is not uncommon. Among Brits. I generally consider it an affectation when Americans say it that way.

Jonathon · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2009, 08:16:42 AM »

I believe it's also not uncommon in Canada. Maybe Rush Limbaugh is secretly a Canuck. :fear:

Porter · « **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2009, 08:19:55 AM »

Maybe Ruth is secretly Rush.

Farmgirl · « **Reply #21 on:** February 18, 2009, 09:04:23 AM »

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You listen to Rush? On purpose? *shudder*

Not very often

Usually when I'm heading somewhere for lunch and just surfing the radio channels because I'm bored. I can only handle it for so long.

rivka · « **Reply #22 on:** February 18, 2009, 11:53:12 AM »

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I believe it's also not uncommon in Canada. Maybe Rush Limbaugh is secretly a Canuck. :fear:

m-w.com seems to indicate that the Canadian and British pronunciations are slightly different. I'm not clear on the distinction it's making though.

Brinestone · « **Reply #23 on:** February 18, 2009, 12:53:35 PM »

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Maybe Ruth is secretly Rush.

My secret's out.

Narnia · « **Reply #24 on:** February 18, 2009, 01:07:50 PM »

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I know kung fu!

For the last time, NO you don't.

Poll

How do you pronounce February?

Author Topic: Feb(r)uary (Read 5670 times)