Probably a stupid question, but here goes....

[flip_flop]

Why is zoology pronounced zoo-o-logy?

[joggerjayne]

Because of the ... err

Because it's ...

... it's like when ... when, err ...

Okay, I've got no idea.

[MarkRae]

It's not. It's pronounced ZOH-ology.

[joggerjayne]

Maybe by jewish housewives in New York.

[flip_flop]

I've only ever heard it pronounced zoo-o-logy.

[MarkRae]

Lots of words are mispronounced... February, police, library etc.

[MarkRae]

http://homeworktips.a...ften_Mispronounce.htm

[LoftyLottie]

If it is prounced Zoh oloogy. Then why aren't zoos, not called Zo's

[LoftyLottie]

Zoh-oloogy!!!!

[rojash]

For the same reason that genealogy is pronounced geneology, and longitude is pronounced longtitude.

Because people are too ignorant and lazy to read what's written.

[Baldric]

Do I detect the odd 'North of Watford' accent or two here?

;o)

[MarkRae]

Because "zoo" is an abbreviation of "zoological gardens". Such abbreviations often change their pronunciation to conform to monosyllabic pronunciation rules, which can sometimes be different when not followed by other vocalic sounds.

[MarkRae]

Quite so, rojash.

And the second month of the year is most definitely not FEB-you-worry...

[LoftyLottie]

Thank you Mark. I should have realised that seeing as I know zoos are short for zoological gardens. What is the meaning of 'zo'. I am too lazy to look it up - and besides you are more informative than the internet ;o)

[Mamyalynne]

The term is derived from Ancient Greek ζῷον (zōon, “animal”) + λόγος (logos, “knowledge”).

[MarkRae]

Zoê (from ancient Greek ζωή, meaning life. Therefore, zoology is simply the study of life.

[LoftyLottie]

Rowan So should have a double 'o'. Then it should be Zooology!!!!

[LoftyLottie]

Sorry, for Rowan read Mamya.

Definitely should be Zoooooology!!

[writesbad]

So, Lofty, with all those "o"s, does it mean long life?

[Old_Geezer]

Wow, after reading this lot, I'm not going to consider about how I pronounce things any more. Can't be worse than the rest.

[rowanwitch]

It took me ages to work out how library could be mis-pronounced