Speaking English

[Scotman84]

I have come to terms with regional accents on the news, as I know that they are many and varied thoughout the country - but one word REALLY annoys me - NUCLEAR - will someone please tell the media that it is NOT pronounced 'NUCULAR' !!!! It really p's me off - or am I just nit-picking?

[Andy Boz]

Whilst we are moaning, how about the latest trend of saying 'fith' and 'sickth' instead of 'fifth' and 'siixth'.

I try to ignore most tv, but one that really gets my goat just lately is that Kelloggs Optivita ad, with the 'do vis, doe do vat' pseudo cockney git.

[KARL]

I am similarly picky about most or all of the examples mentioned, plus several others: 'sickth' (not sixth), 'lore and order', drorings, etc. Regarding the Off-of, this originated in the US (along with 'the thing is-is...', etc.) and I understand it is at least partly due to influence from other languages (the immigrant mix). German very nearly became the official language in the US but narrowly lost out in a referendum - there 'ab von' inverably go together and mean off (of or from - other languages have something similar).

[KARL]

I had to smile when I saw how I spelled 'invariably' yesterday. The thread was ideal for making such a mess !

[Quizmonster]

Karl, 'off of' did not originate in the USA. If you'd read my earlier response, you would have seen that Shakespeare was using the phrase in the 16th century. The play I referred to was published in 1593 and the Mayflower did not even set sail until a generation later!
It may well be more of an Americanism now, but it certainly did not originate across the Pond.

[tara20]

I definitely hate definately.

Putting an "r" after a vowel ending where there's none (Americar) , and dropping it when there is one, (weatha, ratha). Southern regions are most guilty , I'd say.