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Air [iis the pronunciation I learned for err][/i]

Yes, that pronunciation has been more common, but it was not the original one. I'm not saying one or the other pronunciation is more correct than the other. I was just offering a more cautionary tale for the peever in all of us. Air for err was not so common fifty or more years ago. Now it's quite common. Same with flaccid with a hard c. Language changes.


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Originally Posted By: zmjezhd
Air for err was not so common fifty or more years ago.


Well, fifty or more years ago was when I was learning the language. I have no recollection of bumping into the alternative until I was well into my teens, and of course decided that the speaker must be an ignoramus. I've relaxed a bit since then.

Peter

Edit: Still learning.

Last edited by Tromboniator; 01/25/11 03:42 AM.
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I learned it as /ur/, so I guess that must make me a really OP.
-ron o.

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Ah! The ur-pronunciation.

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I always thought err was sort of short for error, so I pronounced it air.

Last edited by Buffalo Shrdlu; 01/27/11 01:03 PM.

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I always thought err was sort of short for error, so I pronounced it air.

I'm sure many feel that way. The AH dictionary has the etymology and a usage note (link). I have only heard the older pronunciation in the wild a couple of times from older folks who no doubt had it drilled into them long, long ago. Note, I am not suggestion that the older pronunciation is better or more correct, just that the newer pronunciation has nearly replaced it. I've never run across any normative grammarians/style-usagists who have insisted on the older pronunciation, because I think they are unaware that they are pronouncing it in the newer fashion, but it is fun to see that they are inconsistent in their peeves.


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
zmjezhd #196713 01/27/11 05:22 PM
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The curse and blessing of the erring peever. How dull it would be if we agreed on every word.

BranShea #196718 01/27/11 05:29 PM
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It's not like some enjoy forcing their opinion down
everyone's throat, or consider them less a person
if they don't agree with them.


----please, draw me a sheep----
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Ah a favourite quote of mine fits this perfectly

"To err is human. To rerr is computer" I cannot for the life of me remember who said it but it make me laugh everytime I see it...


----The next sentence is true. The previous sentence is false----
bexter #196731 01/27/11 05:39 PM
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Good one.
Eerie. Error (I confuse these sometimes.)


----please, draw me a sheep----
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