I read what was supposed to be a funny story the other day: a couple was at a checkout counter, and the clerk asked where they were from. The wife said, "Florida; we're Tampans". The husband had to turn away, and the clerk turned red.

After a minute's thought, I decided that they must have felt there was a reference to the feminine hygiene product. My question(s): am I correct in thinking that the word for denizens of that city is pronounced TAM-puns; and is there anyone out there who says the product that way? Here, it is pronounced TAM-pons; almost TAMP-ons. On, here, being pronounced as a syllable exactly the same way as the word; not un. Also, for the product, the TAM is held for a couple of beats before adding the second syllable, whereas the denizen name would be said with equal time for both syllables. Point being: I would never have confused Tampans with tampons: is it just me?