How do you pronounce either in UK?
There are two common pronunciations of “either”: British /ˈaɪðər/ and American /ˈiːðər/. If Americans are more or less consistent in this regard, then the Brits seem to be freely using both. In fact, from what I can tell, “either this or that” is more often in the first form, whereas “me either” is in the second.
Is it pronounced kernel or colonel?
By around the 17th century, the word began appearing in military treaties across Europe. So, the written form of the word (colonel) and the spoken (“kernel”) were both being used. In English, a combination won out. Colonel was spelled c-o-l-o-n-e-l but pronounced “kernel.”
Is there a correct way to pronounce either?
Both variants are good, but the pronunciation can change in different areas of the world. In the USA they often pronoubce it as ‘iːða’. In the UK, it’s more often ‘aɪða’. Using English phonetics, [ EE-ther ] and [ AHY-ther ] are both correct.
Why are there two pronunciations of either?
The word either is derived from the Old English ǣgther, which was a short for contracted form of ǣg(e)hwæther, of Germanic origin. E-Intro to Old English – 2. Pronunciation reports the Old English pronunciation as it has been reconstructed from linguists.
Why is the L silent in colonel?
This was because the rank was bestowed upon the commander of a column of troops. This word was then adopted by the French, who translated the term in their own language, converted the word ‘colonnello’ to the word ‘coronel’. This is the reason why ‘colonel’ is pronounced ‘kernel’.
Why is colonel not pronounced?
“Colonel” came to English from the mid-16th-century French word coronelle, meaning commander of a regiment, or column, of soldiers. By the mid-17th century, the spelling and French pronunciation had changed to colonnel. The English spelling also changed, and the pronunciation was shortened to two syllables.
Why is colonel pronounced kernel in English?
Why do Brits say leftenant instead of lieutenant?
According to military customs, a lower ranking soldier walks on the left side of a senior officer. This courtesy developed when swords were still used on the battle field. The lower ranked soldier on the “left” protected the senior officers left side. Therefore, the term leftenant developed.