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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
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OP
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,773 |
I have noticed that some people pronounce the prefix "un" as if it were "on." An advertisement on the radio will inform me that I can buy the Super-Matic Chomatron 3000 at onbelievable savings, and for this week only I can also purchase the extended warranty to obtain onsurpassed service after the sale. I have never heard "on" for "un" spoken by a local in Michigan or Ohio, and am wondering from what areas of the country I can surmise such a speaker comes.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156 |
It wouldn't sound awkward in Newfoundland, but I doubt if that's where your commercial voice comes from. They do all the vowels a bit different here. A Newfoundlander saying that would also stretch out the word.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I've heard that pronunciation from a fellow from the outskirts of Chicago. FTR, the Old English was on- and the on'ry in John Jacob Niles's lovely falsetto rendition of the song I Wonder as I Wander is unworthy not ornery.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 218
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 218 |
Maybe it is an intentional mispronunciation as a marketing ploy. A small cafe in my neighborhood recently displayed a sign advertising flotes. The elementary school across the street politely asked they correct the misspelling. No go, said the cafe.
If it is indeed a marketing ploy, it's surely worked. We've all been exposed, and who knows how many others are talking to their linguaphile friends about the ad.
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