So trivial, yet it really ticks you off.

[Zombie_61]

You know these "gurls", beeing stressful, althought you're not even in a relationship with them? Meh...

Maybe they are control-freaks by nature, who knows?

Just so you know, in English "gurl" is a slang word used to describe a human male who a) has had sexual reassignment surgery to transition from being male to being female or, b) is a human male who lives, dresses, and identifies as female, but has not had surgery to put that physical transition into effect. So if, in fact, you are talking about young, youngish, or adult women, "gurl" is incorrect.

 

[Benny Holiday]

Just so you know, in English "gurl" is a slang word used to describe a human male who a) has had sexual reassignment surgery to transition from being male to being female or, b) is a human male who lives, dresses, and identifies as female, but has not had surgery to put that physical transition into effect. So if, in fact, you are talking about young, youngish, or adult women, "gurl" is incorrect.

My wife often listens to an oldie radio station and whenever I hear the Bee Gees come on singing, "More Than a Woman," I can't help but laugh at the modern connotations you can embellish that title with. The Mrs, of course, thinks I'm childish but at least fun.

 

[Trenchfriend]

There are folks in the US, spelling Missouri "Missoraa"??

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

There are folks in the US, spelling Missouri "Missoraa"??

Does this "tick you off"? Well, possibly there are such persons. More likely you have encountered a writer who is presenting the way people in some parts of the U.S. pronounce the word. Surely there are places in Germany where the spelling doesn't match the local pronunciation.

 

[BobHufford]

There are folks in the US, spelling Missouri "Missoraa"??

It’s “Missourah” … often a pronunciation used by politicians (and my wife) … and it’s just wrong.

 

[LizzieMaine]

That's the thing about English., especially American regional dialects. Textbook pronunciations are usually just a serving suggestion.

 

[rogueclimber]

It’s “Missourah” … often a pronunciation used by politicians (and my wife) … and it’s just wrong.

I always thought it was Misery, and a place to avoid...

 

[The Lost kansan]

I always thought it was Misery, and a place to avoid...

Being from Kansas, that’s what we always called it growing up
(But of course the Missouri side of KC is where all the good barbecue is)

 

[GHT]

Does this "tick you off"? Well, possibly there are such persons. More likely you have encountered a writer who is presenting the way people in some parts of the U.S. pronounce the word. Surely there are places in Germany where the spelling doesn't match the local pronunciation.

We've got some right head scratchers here on our small Island. Try and get your head around these:
Cholmondeley: Many people try to pronounce it as Chol-mon-de-lee. Chum-lee is the correct way.

Bicester: So often you hear it pronounced, By-cester, but this is incorrect! It's pronounced, Bister,

Woolfardisworthy a village in the county of Devon. You might think that Wool-far-dis-worthy is correct, but it's actually pronounced Woolzery, would you believe.

Confusion reigns, who would have thought that Three-Legged-Cross in Dorset is called Three Cross?

 

[tonyb]

And a coupla-three is NOT six. It means more than one but less than four. Kinda. It’s flexible that way.

 

[Trenchfriend]

So, why a "Whizz-can't-sin"? Is there any explanation.

 

[tonyb]

^^^^^^
I was born in Madison and spent most of my pre-pubescent years there and still get back that way every now and then, for in-person catch-ups with the remaining friends and relatives who actually know me and to visit the graves of those gone the way of all things.

The locals pronounce it more like Wiss-CON-sun, with a nasally emphasis on the second syllable. It has no Z sound, nor a T.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in Massachusetts, Worcester is "Woosta," but "Dorchester" is "Dawchesta." Go figya.

 

[Zombie_61]

That's the thing about English., especially American regional dialects. Textbook pronunciations are usually just a serving suggestion.

So, why a "Whizz-can't-sin"? Is there any explanation.

I think, also, to some degree, a lot of Americans realize there is a "regional" accent associated with their home town that can't be explained other than to say, "I don't know, that's just how everybody has always pronounced it."

"Los Angeles", for example, should be pronounced as "Loss Angeless" (the "Angel" part pronounced like "Angel", but with the "soft" pronunciation of the "A" like the word "and"). Still, some people pronounce it as "Angle-eeze". ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Liam_Og]

Just so you know, in English "gurl" is a slang word used to describe a human male who a) has had sexual reassignment surgery to transition from being male to being female or, b) is a human male who lives, dresses, and identifies as female, but has not had surgery to put that physical transition into effect. So if, in fact, you are talking about young, youngish, or adult women, "gurl" is incorrect.

Not in my English. This American English?

 

[LizzieMaine]

"Los Ang-(hard g)-less" was a favored pronunciation at radio station KHJ for most of the thirties. "Los Anj-less" was required at KFI and KNX at the same time. I've never heard a thirties radio announcer say "Los Anjuhless."

Our local shibboleth is the coastal town of Damariscotta. It's correctly pronounced "Dam'ra'scotta." If you say "Dah-mair-a-scotta," you've just pinned a big OUT OF STATE SUCKER sign on your head, and every local will try to give you the business.

Another is "Woolwich," which if you don't want to get laughed at, you'll pronounce "Wool'ich." And "Sagadahoc County" is one I once heard make a fool of Paul Harvey on a live broadcast where he clearly was reading his script cold. He said something like "Sa-GADA-hoc," and the telephone lit up. It's pronounced "Sag'da'hoc," just like a steamer trunk falling down a flight of stairs.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Also "LAS ANNGELESS", if some Germans overdo it.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

We've got some right head scratchers here on our small Island. Try and get your head around these:
Cholmondeley: Many people try to pronounce it as Chol-mon-de-lee. Chum-lee is the correct way.

Bicester: So often you hear it pronounced, By-cester, but this is incorrect! It's pronounced, Bister,

Woolfardisworthy a village in the county of Devon. You might think that Wool-far-dis-worthy is correct, but it's actually pronounced Woolzery, would you believe.

Confusion reigns, who would have thought that Three-Legged-Cross in Dorset is called Three Cross?

Many years ago when cable TV was a new experience for me (late 1970's) I was surfing the astounding number of channels when I happened on one that was televising the House of Lords.

The man speaking was identified on the screen by spelling his title ("name" doesn't seem to be the appropriate word. For example, Duke of Marlborough is a title, but the first was John Churchill, his name.) The best my memory can dredge up is "Featherstonehaugh".

When he finished speaking another of the Lords rose to reply and addressed him as "my Lord Fanshaw".

"Wait! Did he just call him 'Fanshaw'?"

The name as spoken had two syllables, but the spelling that had just disappeared from the screen had, by conventional reading, at lease twice as many.

It seems that even the English struggle with this: https://www.countrylife.co.uk/comme...e-belvoir-featherstonhaugh-and-bagehot-227460

 

[Zombie_61]

Not in my English. This American English?

Well, it's American English slang, but yes.

 

[tonyb]

“Puyallup” is among the tougher ones for the recent arrivals; “Issaquah“ (Costco headquarters), “Sedro Wooley,” and “Enumclaw” somewhat less so, but still likely to be stumbled over on early attempts.

”Humptulips,” on the other hand, sounds just like you think it does.