column
autumn
condemn
damn
hymn
autumn
condemn
damn
hymn
Regional vocabulary differences
And likewise, the n is pronounced in "condemnation", "damnation", and "hymnal".
I think "eggplant" is an american word, unlike zucchini and courgette which are just Italian and French words for the same thing.>>
etymonline.com says about 'eggplant':
--1794, from Fr., "fruit of the eggplant" (Solanum esculentum), dim. of auberge "a kind of peach," from Sp. alberchigo "apricot." But Klein derives the Fr. from Catalan alberginera, from Arabic al-badinjan "the eggplant," from Pers. badin-gan, from Skt. vatin-ganah. As a color like that of the eggplant fruit, it is attested from 1895.---
<<It's because it comes from the Latin word "autumnus". The -us ending was removed, as in many other Latin borrowings in English, leaving -mn on the end. Words can't end in [mn] in English, so the -n became silent, like in the word "column". But in derived words, like "autumnal" and "columnist", the n is pronounced.>>
Right. Also, it's interesting to note that in French "automne," they don't pronounce any /m/. It's simply [otOn]. Spanish "otoño" also only has one nasal, pronouncing it [o"toJo]. It appears no one kept /mn/ except for possibly in rare inflections and derivations like English "autumnal."
<<Well, depends. At least here, in most spoken usage, "fall" seems to be strongly preferred over "autumn", which to me at least sounds generally formal and poetic overall.>>
Yeah I would never say the word "autumn" in normal speech. I've probably actually said the word like 5 times in my life. I see it written occasionally in poetry, but even in formal usage (such as a business meeting, conference, or speech) it would be very likely to hear "autumn" here. Can you imagine going to a shareholders' meeting and hearing about the "autumn sales results?" Hehehe. It's always "fall" here.
etymonline.com says about 'eggplant':
--1794, from Fr., "fruit of the eggplant" (Solanum esculentum), dim. of auberge "a kind of peach," from Sp. alberchigo "apricot." But Klein derives the Fr. from Catalan alberginera, from Arabic al-badinjan "the eggplant," from Pers. badin-gan, from Skt. vatin-ganah. As a color like that of the eggplant fruit, it is attested from 1895.---
<<It's because it comes from the Latin word "autumnus". The -us ending was removed, as in many other Latin borrowings in English, leaving -mn on the end. Words can't end in [mn] in English, so the -n became silent, like in the word "column". But in derived words, like "autumnal" and "columnist", the n is pronounced.>>
Right. Also, it's interesting to note that in French "automne," they don't pronounce any /m/. It's simply [otOn]. Spanish "otoño" also only has one nasal, pronouncing it [o"toJo]. It appears no one kept /mn/ except for possibly in rare inflections and derivations like English "autumnal."
<<Well, depends. At least here, in most spoken usage, "fall" seems to be strongly preferred over "autumn", which to me at least sounds generally formal and poetic overall.>>
Yeah I would never say the word "autumn" in normal speech. I've probably actually said the word like 5 times in my life. I see it written occasionally in poetry, but even in formal usage (such as a business meeting, conference, or speech) it would be very likely to hear "autumn" here. Can you imagine going to a shareholders' meeting and hearing about the "autumn sales results?" Hehehe. It's always "fall" here.
I say soda and water fountain...same as Tiffany, because i am from Florida also. The first time i heard the word bubbler was from a friend who moved down here from Wisonsin. We also love the way she pronouces words that end in "ag" like bag. Does anyone know if that is a northern thing, or just a Wisconsin thing?
I agree, I don't think any Romance language has kept the /mn/. As many people have pointed out, it was to have been two syllables instead on pronounced together. And most romance languages, have evolved to the point that is pronounced with only "n". In Italian, it is "autunno". They could have will spelled it "autumno", but evolution here seems not to favor keeping "mn". The French, as pointed out, have only preserved the spelling. The sound is "n".
Perhaps this autumn/fall divide is even greater in other states. I've often said, "Autumn is my favorite season in Florida". Do any other states find it strange to use "autumn" because it seems I'm in the minority!
Perhaps this autumn/fall divide is even greater in other states. I've often said, "Autumn is my favorite season in Florida". Do any other states find it strange to use "autumn" because it seems I'm in the minority!
<<Right. Also, it's interesting to note that in French "automne," they don't pronounce any /m/. It's simply [otOn]. Spanish "otoño" also only has one nasal, pronouncing it [o"toJo]. It appears no one kept /mn/ except for possibly in rare inflections and derivations like English "autumnal.">>
That seems to be part of a general pattern in the Romance languages of reducing Latin velar-alveolar or labial-alveolar clusters like "ct" and "pt", like in the Spanish word "distrito".
That seems to be part of a general pattern in the Romance languages of reducing Latin velar-alveolar or labial-alveolar clusters like "ct" and "pt", like in the Spanish word "distrito".
Autumn is a pretty word, and everyone uses it enough for it to still be common, but I think I use the word fall more often in everyday speech. But what does that really mean? I usually call my accelerator a gas pedal, but I know both terms equally well. I turn on my blinker or my turn signal, but I'm aware that it's properly termed the "turn indicator".
<<it would be very likely>>
I meant "very unlikely"
<<Perhaps this autumn/fall divide is even greater in other states. I've often said, "Autumn is my favorite season in Florida". Do any other states find it strange to use "autumn" because it seems I'm in the minority!>>
I would definitely find "autumn is my favorite season in Florida" somewhat strange if it were uttered in normal speech by an American. I would always use and expect to hear "fall" there. As I said before, I can't even think of the last time I said the word "autumn."
I meant "very unlikely"
<<Perhaps this autumn/fall divide is even greater in other states. I've often said, "Autumn is my favorite season in Florida". Do any other states find it strange to use "autumn" because it seems I'm in the minority!>>
I would definitely find "autumn is my favorite season in Florida" somewhat strange if it were uttered in normal speech by an American. I would always use and expect to hear "fall" there. As I said before, I can't even think of the last time I said the word "autumn."
<<It makes a good girls' name.>>
.........for a girl in the porn industry perhaps!!
.........for a girl in the porn industry perhaps!!
full stop instead of period
Sub Lieutenant instead of Ensign
Brigadier instead of One Star General
Field Marshall instead of Five Star General
rubber instead of eraser
casual day instead of bermuda day
Sub Lieutenant instead of Ensign
Brigadier instead of One Star General
Field Marshall instead of Five Star General
rubber instead of eraser
casual day instead of bermuda day
**rubber instead of eraser **
hee hee.....that was my one and only major boob (pardon the expression) in Transatlantic verbal misinterpretation. It could have been worse I reckon....like asking someone what time in the morning is best for knocking up.
hee hee.....that was my one and only major boob (pardon the expression) in Transatlantic verbal misinterpretation. It could have been worse I reckon....like asking someone what time in the morning is best for knocking up.
Root instead of barrack/support (root means something completely different down here)