Buzzard, lizard, wizard... Many words to use
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Zee PM or Zed PM, how do you pronounce it?
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Originally posted by aAnubiSsAnother two-word topic from you...gumboYaYa: you are all beautiful, your words and openness are what make that shine. don't forget how much talent love and beauty you all have. so for now, peace love love love more love and happy, and thank you, thank you, thank you
love Torri
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Originally posted by qasimjavidseems to have got the tongues yapping
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Originally posted by AvreanaThe word 'Zed' meaning the letter came to us from the Greek letter 'Zeta' through the French 'Zede'. At some point in the late 1600's the pronunciation changed in the States to 'Zee' for unknown reasons. Probably just a small regional variation that caught on but didn't spread outside the country.
I majored in linguistics, so I had a look through some of my books to see if I could find any mention of why the pronunciation changed in the States. I couldn't really find anything. If anyone else can I'm very interested to learn why!
Also I remember someone mentioning 'Zero'. I believe the word Zero is unrelated to Zed/Zee. I think it came into English a while back from Arabic? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Anyway, I'll stop now. I can ramble for hours on the subject if I don't watch myself
I had thought (read? remembered hearing it? made it up?) that the Americans changed a lot of things at the time they declared their independance from England. They deliberately wanted to break as many ties as they could.
Hence "Zee", "Mom", "Color", "favorite" "labor" "George Bush", driving on the right hand side of the road etc etc etc.
Completely off topic, do you know why the British and we here in Australia and many other places drive on the left? It's a hang up form medival times. knights on horse back during jousting tournaments would rid up with on the left side of the barrier. They could then do their jousting thing. often the joust broke meaning they had to use their sword to finish the job, so they again ride up on the left side, holding their sword in their right hands, if the person coming towards you is on the right of you it was easier to strike them with your sword. This then carried over to normal horse back sword fights away from teh jousting arena. The knight would hold his shield (or reigns) in his left hand and his sword in his right. Swings your sword to your right therefore was much easier than having to reach across your body. How left handed sword holding knights dealt with it I'm unsure - maybe they got on some boats and headed off to the new world.
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The question my friends ask me (FYI: these friends are American) the most is why Rodney doesn't give up the ghost and say "zee" like everybody else. I just counter by asking that if the roles were reversed, and everybody was Canadian and said "zed" would they stop saying "zee."
I know I'd still say "zee." More power to you Rodney! Take pride in your letter!
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Originally posted by Major TylerThe question my friends ask me (FYI: these friends are American) the most is why Rodney doesn't give up the ghost and say "zee" like everybody else. I just counter by asking that if the roles were reversed, and everybody was Canadian and said "zed" would they stop saying "zee."
I know I'd still say "zee." More power to you Rodney! Take pride in your letter!
For example, in my home state, there is a major river that we pronounce one way and every one else pronounces it after the state of the same name. It does get very confusing sometimes. So I pronouce is both ways.
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Originally posted by nathanausI had thought (read? remembered hearing it? made it up?) that the Americans changed a lot of things at the time they declared their independance from England. They deliberately wanted to break as many ties as they could.
Hence "Zee", "Mom", "Color", "favorite" "labor" "George Bush", driving on the right hand side of the road etc etc etc.My LiveJournal.
If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.
-Frank A. Clark
An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?
-Michel de Saint-Pierre
Now, there's this about cynicism. It's the universe's most supine moral position. Real comfortable. If nothing can be done, then you're not some kind of **** for not doing it, and you can lie there and stink to yourself in perfect peace.
-Lois McMaster Bujold, "The Borders of Infinity"
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I tried switching to "zed" because I work in shipping and our tracking numbers all contain Z. When customers call up asking for their numbers they don't always listen very well, so the less confusing I can make it, the better. "Was that a C or a T?" So I tried saying "Zed" and people thought I meant Z-E-D. *sigh* Stupid Americans.
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Originally posted by ShadowMaatI tried switching to "zed" because I work in shipping and our tracking numbers all contain Z. When customers call up asking for their numbers they don't always listen very well, so the less confusing I can make it, the better. "Was that a C or a T?" So I tried saying "Zed" and people thought I meant Z-E-D. *sigh* Stupid Americans.
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Hmm... I had thought from the tone of my reply that it was clear I was joking about "stupid Americans" but since someone here... lacks a sense of humor and saw fit so snipe me for my "anti-American" sentiment, I'd just like to point out that I'm American, myself, and that I was, in fact, kidding. I know it's really stupid CUSTOMERS who are the problem- be they American or otherwise.
However, it IS an example of attempting to use one group's linguistic "quirk" in another group's setting... and failing miserably. I tried it for a couple of days and with the exception of one person (who was either English/Canadian or simply wrote down ZED ), everyone went "What?" or asked if I meant Z-E-D. There are some things that just don't translate, even when you're going from English to English.
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Originally posted by ShadowMaatHmm... I had thought from the tone of my reply that it was clear I was joking about "stupid Americans" but since someone here... lacks a sense of humor and saw fit so snipe me for my "anti-American" sentiment, I'd just like to point out that I'm American, myself, and that I was, in fact, kidding. I know it's really stupid CUSTOMERS who are the problem- be they American or otherwise.
However, it IS an example of attempting to use one group's linguistic "quirk" in another group's setting... and failing miserably. I tried it for a couple of days and with the exception of one person (who was either English/Canadian or simply wrote down ZED ), everyone went "What?" or asked if I meant Z-E-D. There are some things that just don't translate, even when you're going from English to English.
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