How do you pronounce "often"?

[bayoubill]

So, how do you pronounce "often"?

There's really only two ways people do it.

Do you have a reason for pronouncing it the way you do?

I'll pronounce my thoughts on the subject in a couple of days.

[CID_0687]

I reckon I pronounce it AULF TIN, you know us southerners like to put letters where they don't belong.

[bayoubill]

I reckon I pronounce it AULF TIN, you know us southerners like to put letters where they don't belong.


Yeah, well, I'm a Son of the South, too, but I've never heard of that rule.

I've been under the impression that Yankees abuse the language more than we do. ;)

[PaleoPaul]

Meh, I've pronounced it both ways.

[bayoubill]

Meh, I've pronounced it both ways.


Ehhh...

You do it one way much more than the other.

So, fess up, which is it?

[PaleoPaul]

Ehhh...

You do it one way much more than the other.

So, fess up, which is it?
of-ten

[CID_0687]

Yeah, well, I'm a Son of the South, too, but I've never heard of that rule.

I've been under the impression that Yankees abuse the language more than we do. ;)
I'm not as bad about it as my momma is. Daddy and I use to crack up everytime momma would say anything with double o's like door or floor. It always comes out doower or floower.

[CID_0687]

Oh and I almost forgot about my little girl saying again. AGAIYAN.

[bayoubill]

I'm not as bad about it as my momma is. Daddy and I use to crack up everytime momma would say anything with double o's like door or floor. It always comes out doower or floower.

Oh and I almost forgot about my little girl saying again. AGAIYAN.


Yay-yuh, it's true, we do tend to draw out and add an extra vowel-sound syllable to certain words.

I ascribe it to the charm of the South. ;)

[bayoubill]

of-ten


uh-huh...

I'll have more to say about that later.

[dittoheadAZ]

I offen say offen, but say offten not so offten.

[gwhughes]

Southern, awffen.

[goodlife]

This is so funny....when I was in high school I got into a big argument with one of my teachers about this very thing.
Apparently the "correct" way to say it is offen. I pronounce the t and he told me I was wrong.
Brother Alfred. Anyway, I told him I thought that more people pronounced it the way I do rather than the way he did. So I did a schoolwide survey. it was about 50-50

[Mortis]

I guess I'm in the minority here.

I pronounce it "slugamuff-NAGG-instle"

[johnrocks]

Both ways but normally off fen. I usually just say "sometimes" though,lol.

[gwhughes]

Or a lot of the time, pronounced: lottatimes.

[Dancer]

I pronounce it off-ten because that is what it looks like on paper. There are words that in my head (or when I am spelling on paper) I pronounce differently than when I pronounce them out loud because I ...for lack of a better way of putting it... 'see' it in my head as I am talking.

Wednesday is one of them. As I type it, I am thinking "Wed-Nes-Day" but out loud I would pronounce it Wens-day.

[Dreamy]

This is so funny....when I was in high school I got into a big argument with one of my teachers about this very thing.
Apparently the "correct" way to say it is offen. I pronounce the t and he told me I was wrong.
Brother Alfred. Anyway, I told him I thought that more people pronounced it the way I do rather than the way he did. So I did a schoolwide survey. it was about 50-50

I use the T.

[Dreamy]

Or a lot of the time, pronounced: lottatimes.

:))

[melinda]

I guess I'm in the minority here.

I pronounce it "slugamuff-NAGG-instle"

:)) :)) :))

...as long as you don't pronounce the "t" all is good. :)

[super cool ski instructor]

I would have flunked out of Broadcasting School if I did not pronoince the t.

[melinda]

I would have flunked out of Broadcasting School if I did not pronoince the t.

amazing how wrong broadcasting schools are........;)

[ThrowCop]

I know it's technically wrong, but I usually pronounce the "t". I think it sounds better.

[george kaplan]

I guess I'm in the minority here.

I pronounce it "slugamuff-NAGG-instle"

You too! Wow... imagine the odds... :doh:

[george kaplan]

I know it's technically wrong, but I usually pronounce the "t". I think it sounds better.

You probably say "pro-bab-ly" instead of "probbly" too, dont'chya? ;)

[Frazzled]

My mom was an English teacher (old school style), we either pronounced our words according to generally accepted literary acedemia standards, or we had to use a different word.

In fact, there are words to this day that she refuses to use, because someone will inevitably correct her pronounciation, which isn't wrong :)

[CID_0687]

You probably say "pro-bab-ly" instead of "probbly" too, dont'chya? ;)
I pronounce it "prolly"

[george kaplan]

I pronounce it "prolly"


Geesh, man. What an intellectual snob.

What are you doing here then? Slumming or something? ;)

[george kaplan]

My mom was an English teacher (old school style), we either pronounced our words according to generally accepted literary acedemia standards, or we had to use a different word.

In fact, there are words to this day that she refuses to use, because someone will inevitably correct her pronounciation, which isn't wrong :)

So then you should know the correct answer to, "How are you feeling?"


Most people get it wrong thinking they're sounding all fancy-like and all. They're the same people who say things like, "She gave it to Cindy and I."

[bayoubill]

I pronounce it off-ten because that is what it looks like on paper.


"Often" is in the same phonetic family as "soften", fasten", "glisten", and "listen".

How do you pronounce those?


There are words that in my head (or when I am spelling on paper) I pronounce differently than when I pronounce them out loud because I ...for lack of a better way of putting it... 'see' it in my head as I am talking.

Wednesday is one of them. As I type it, I am thinking "Wed-Nes-Day" but out loud I would pronounce it Wens-day.


So maybe there's hope for you yet, that you may eventually learn to pronounce "often" properly. ;)

[Frazzled]

So then you should know the correct answer to, "How are you feeling?"


Most people get it wrong thinking they're sounding all fancy-like and all. They're the same people who say things like, "She gave it to Cindy and I."


Well, are we talking about formal english or casual english, spoken english, or the written word....my emotion well being, my tactile perceptions, or the status of my health? :))

We have so many options...what would you like to inquire about? :hug:

Isn't the English language grand!!

[ThrowCop]

You probably say "pro-bab-ly" instead of "probbly" too, dont'chya? ;)Too many syllables. I just say, "prolly". Kinda rolls off the tongue. :)

[CID_0687]

Ok Fraz, you're starting to sound like my mother. She was an English teacher too, later became a principal.

[Frazzled]

Ok Fraz, you're starting to sound like my mother. She was an English teacher too, later became a principal.


I sound like your mother, the English teacher? ........that's just cold

[bayoubill]

I liss-ten to what people are posting in this thread.

Beads of sweat gliss-ten on my forehead as I fass-ten my fingers to the keyboard.

(deleted)

Reconsidering my initial rash response to the "T" posters, I soff-ten,

and retreat to the grounds of my cass-tle, where I whiss-tle softly to myself as I gather thiss-tles.

[super cool ski instructor]

:rolleyes:

[birdonawire]

What difference does it make how you pronounce it?

[bayoubill]

I would have flunked out of Broadcasting School if I did not pronoince the t.


Hmmm, that might explain something.

There's a person on the radio station I liss-ten to in the mornings who not only pronounces the "t", she emphasizes it.

Really sets my teeth on edge.

[bayoubill]

amazing how wrong broadcasting schools are........;)


Indeed. ;)

[bayoubill]

I know it's technically wrong, but I usually pronounce the "t". I think it sounds better.


:rolleyes:

I thought you were gonna work on that, TC... ;)

[super cool ski instructor]

Hmmm, that might explain something.

There's a person on the radio station I liss-ten to in the mornings who not only pronounces the "t", she emphasizes it.

Really sets my teeth on edge.

Nobody is making you listen.

[george kaplan]

Okay, okay, I got one:

Do you say, "you'all" or "y'all"? :think:



:)

[bayoubill]

:rolleyes:

Nobody is making you listen.


lol...

It annoys you that I'm annoyed, ski?

[super cool ski instructor]

lol...

It annoys you that I'm annoyed, ski?

No it takes alot to annoy me.

You making fun of the way people speak does not rate high on my list.

[Dreamy]

What is it with you people using the letter R in everything? Geeesh. :))

[super cool ski instructor]

What is it with you people using the letter R in everything? Geeesh. :))

Wicked ****ah :))

[bayoubill]

No it takes alot to annoy me.

You making fun of the way people speak does not rate high on my list.


It was not my intention to make fun of the way anybody speaks.

I merely wanted to point out that, IMHO, pronouncing the "t" in often is, technically, incorrect.

And this post:


I liss-ten to what people are posting in this thread.

Beads of sweat gliss-ten on my forehead as I fass-ten my fingers to the keyboard.

(deleted)

Reconsidering my initial rash response to the "T" posters, I soff-ten,

and retreat to the grounds of my cass-tle, where I whiss-tle softly to myself as I gather thiss-tles.


was intended merely to illustrate my point that "often" belongs in the "silent-t" phonetic family of words, and also to illustrate how jarring it would be if we pronounced the "t" in these other words.

If I offended you, I sincerely apologize.

[super cool ski instructor]

It was not my intention to make fun of the way anybody speaks.

I merely wanted to point out that, IMHO, pronouncing the "t" in often is, technically, incorrect.

And this post:





was intended merely to illustrate my point that "often" belongs in the "silent-t" phonetic family of words, and also to illustrate how jarring it would be if we pronounced the "t" in these other words.

If I offended you, I sincerely apologize.

No you didn't offend me. I read the tone wrong. Sorry BBill ;)

[Dreamy]

Wicked ****ah :))

:))

[melinda]

Okay, okay, I got one:

Do you say, "you'all" or "y'all"? :think:



:)

Y'all..........of course. ;)

[CID_0687]

Can you answer this? What is the plural for of y'all?

[bayoubill]

No you didn't offend me. I read the tone wrong. Sorry BBill ;)


np, ski. :hug:

Here, have a thistle bouquet...

They're beautiful, and I've clipped the thorns off for you. ;)

[super cool ski instructor]

np, ski. :hug:

Here, have a thistle bouquet...

They're beautiful, and I've clipped the thorns off for you. ;)

:hug: Sorry, I'm a tad under the weather...thanks for being so understanding.

Thistles, huh? :))

[JimGP20]

It's off-ten. The other way only works if you use it in a sentence like... "get down offen that couch!" :cool:

[BasicGreatGuy]

How do I pronounce "often"? I pronounce it be saying "a lot."

;)

Technically speaking, the t in often is silent. ;)

[bayoubill]

Okay, okay, I got one:

Do you say, "you'all" or "y'all"? :think:



:)


I mostly say "y'all", which is the Southern contraction of "you all", which itself is considered a Southern term of speech.

[bayoubill]

Can you answer this? What is the plural for of y'all?


You're from the South, Andrew?

Then you should know that, down here, "y'all" is the plural term of "you".



And, BTW, the possessive form is "y'all's". :D

[CID_0687]

I like that one, how about the word mayonaise? I'll use it in a sentence.

I tell you what, mayonaise a lotta good lookin women around here.

[PaleoPaul]

"Often" is in the same phonetic family as "soften", fasten", "glisten", and "listen".

How do you pronounce those?


without the "t", except for "often."

Weird, yeah.

[CID_0687]

You're from the South, Andrew?

Then you should know that, down here, "y'all" is the plural term of "you".



And, BTW, the possessive form is "y'all's". :D
You're from the south as well and you should know that y'all describes a small group of people. But a larger group would be "all y'all".

[bayoubill]

:hug: Sorry, I'm a tad under the weather...thanks for being so understanding.


Sorry to hear you're not feeling good, ski.

I'd bring you some of my homemade vegetable soup if I could.

Hope you get better real soon.


Thistles, huh? :))


Oops... :eek:

Hope you're not allergic.

[super cool ski instructor]

Sorry to hear you're not feeling good, ski.

I'd bring you some of my homemade vegetable soup if I could.

Hope you get better real soon.





Oops... :eek:

Hope you're not allergic.

:)) Nope, not allergic...thistles is just a word that makes me laugh...thistles :))

And thank you :D

[bayoubill]

You're from the south as well and you should know that y'all describes a small group of people. But a larger group would be "all y'all".


I don't believe that's necessarily true.

There are two different situations I can think of, where two different forms of "all y'all" might be used.

Neither situation is dependent upon the size of the group.

The first is where you're addressing a group, and you want to collectively address each individual in the group.

Example: "What do all y'all think about this post?",

which would be a Southern contraction of "What do all of you all think about this post?",

which, in King's English, would translate to "What do each of you think about this post?"

The second would be a contraction of the possessive form.

Example: "Y'all are welcome to bring all y'all's children with you to the crawfish boil.",

which would be a Southern contraction of "Y'all are welcome to bring all of you all's children with you to the crawfish boil.",

which, in King's English, would translate to "You're all welcome to bring all of your children with you to the crayfish boil."

[Dreamy]

:hug: Sorry, I'm a tad under the weather...thanks for being so understanding.

Thistles, huh? :))

:hug:Feel better hon. Go Tigers!!!!:dance:

[bayoubill]

And while we're on the subject of "y'all",

it should properly be spelled "y'all",

not "ya'll".

[Mithrastan]

I often drop T's. Latin, Martin, etc.

I don't know if it is a regional thing or a personal thing.
Anymore, a lot of the stuff we say, and the way we say it, comes from TV.

[bayoubill]

Technically speaking, the t in often is silent. ;)


Thanks for backing me up on this, BGG. ;)

[bayoubill]

It's off-ten. The other way only works if you use it in a sentence like... "get down offen that couch!" :cool:


Whoa...

Don't get me started on the proper placement of the modifier "only" in a sentance.

BTW, the proper construction would be:

"The other way works only if you use it in a sentance like..." :cool:

[bayoubill]

:)) Nope, not allergic...thistles is just a word that makes me laugh...thistles :))

And thank you :D


yw, sweetheart.

Get well soon.

[JimGP20]

Whoa...

Don't get me started on the proper placement of the modifier "only" in a sentance.

BTW, the proper construction would be:

"The other way works only if you use it in a sentance like..." :cool:

What is a sentance ?? :lol:

[bayoubill]

What is a sentance ?? :lol:


Got me dead to rights, Jim.

Okay, I'll admit that, while I pride myself on my grammar, my spelling is sometimes weak.

[JimGP20]

Got me dead to rights, Jim.

Okay, I'll admit that, while I pride myself on my grammar, my spelling is sometimes weak.


We would make a great team then.... my spelling is normally dead on, but my grammar could use some tweaking. :)

[bayoubill]

We would make a great team then.... my spelling is normally dead on, but my grammar could use some tweaking. :)


With you taking the spelling high-horse

and me taking the pronunciation/grammar high-horse

I'm sure we'd be insufferable! :))

[Dancer]

According to Merrian-Webster :

often
One entry found for often.
Main Entry: of·ten
Pronunciation: 'o-f&n, ÷'of-t&n
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of oft
: many times : FREQUENTLY

So apparently both pronunciations are acceptable, both with and without sounding the "t". Since the first pronunciation listed is without the "t" you can draw your own conclusions.

[PaleoPaul]

According to Merrian-Webster :

often
One entry found for often.
Main Entry: of·ten
Pronunciation: 'o-f&n, ÷'of-t&n
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of oft
: many times : FREQUENTLY

So apparently both pronunciations are acceptable, both with and without sounding the "t". Since the first pronunciation listed is without the "t" you can draw your own conclusions.
:clap: http://forums.hannity.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

We of-teners have to stick together.

[Z_only1]

Jusstt like it's speeellled.

[imdwlaw]

I pronounce 'often' using the same sloppy pronunciation that I use when I pronounce 'exactly'!

[bayoubill]

:clap: http://forums.hannity.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

We of-teners have to stick together.


Especially since y'all are wrong. ;)

[PaleoPaul]

Especially since y'all aren't wrong. ;)
Fixed. :D

[bayoubill]

Fixed. :D


lol...

[thr3]

Maybe being from Engerrrrland, I can say I pronounce it correctly. An that is auftenn.

[bayoubill]

Maybe being from Engerrrrland, I can say I pronounce it correctly. An that is auftenn.


You could say you pronounce it correctly...

if only you did. ;)

[thr3]

You could say you pronounce it correctly...

if only you did. ;)


I DID ``

[bayoubill]

'memba dis?

[bayoubill]

I use the T.


uh-oh...

[melinda]

...as long as you don't pronounce the "t" all is good. :)

bump

[Dragon1963]

I pronounce it both ways.

[melinda]

I pronounce it both ways.

why?

[Dragon1963]

why?

Because I grew up hearing it both ways.

[melinda]

makes sense .... but pronouncing the 't' is just wrong. ;)

[Dragon1963]

:think: What can I say. My sig line says it all. :)

[super cool ski instructor]

I still say off-tin....and feel no need to apologize for it.

[CaptC]

I don't use the word, I use "frequently"

[ThrowCop]

I'll take Merriam-Webster's advice & pronounce it either correct way:

\ˈȯ-fən, ÷ˈȯf-tən\

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often

[melinda]

I'll take Merriam-Webster's advice & pronounce it either correct way:

\ˈȯ-fən, ÷ˈȯf-tən\

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often

notice which is first.... ;)




:)

[melinda]

I don't use the word, I use "frequently"

this made me laugh ... :))

[ThrowCop]

notice which is first.... ;)




:)They went alphabetically...


:lol:

[ValricoKate]

I say offen, unless I am imitating the snooty.

[ValricoKate]

makes sense .... but pronouncing the 't' is just wrong. ;)

I feel the same way about people who pronounce herb as 'erb, unless they usually say 'arry and 'enry.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gA7qq7Ja4U&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3 Fhl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial%26hs%3D1ND%26q%3DMy&feature=player_embedded

[super cool ski instructor]

I say offen, unless I am imitating the snooty.

So basically what you are saying is that only snooty people say off-tin? :confused:

[JenyEliza]

I say "offen" (silent t), not of-ten

I lissen, not lis-ten

A-gen, not A-gain

:mrgreen:

I'm from the south too.

[Dragon1963]

I feel the same way about people who pronounce herb as 'erb, unless they usually say 'arry and 'enry.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gA7qq7Ja4U&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3 Fhl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial%26hs%3D1ND%26q%3DMy&feature=player_embedded

Pronouncing it Herb is for use as a person's name. To pronounce it as 'erb is to refer to plants such as sage, rosemary, and thyme.

[super cool ski instructor]

If saying off-tin makes me a snooty Yankee...than so be it :D

[Dragon1963]

If saying off-tin makes me a snooty Yankee...than so be it :D

But you hate the Yankees. :D

[super cool ski instructor]

But you hate the Yankees. :D

So much so :))

[Dr. Funkenstein]

It depends on how off-ten I'm saying offin. Off-tin, I'll say it differently.

Most of the time, I'll just say "most of the time"

[Creefer]

You're from the South, Andrew?

Then you should know that, down here, "y'all" is the plural term of "you".



And, BTW, the possessive form is "y'all's". :D

Nah, the plural is "all y'all" ;)

[ValricoKate]

So basically what you are saying is that only snooty people say off-tin? :confused:

Not at all, but if I need a snooty accent I offen use often. ;)

[ValricoKate]

Pronouncing it Herb is for use as a person's name. To pronounce it as 'erb is to refer to plants such as sage, rosemary, and thyme.

says you
:razz:

both are acceptable 'erb tends to be the US English pronunciation, it just bugs me and I get images of Professor 'iggins.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

Pronouncing it Herb is for use as a person's name. To pronounce it as 'erb is to refer to plants such as sage, rosemary, and thyme.

And for the more relaxing ones, you can use "ganja" or "purple haze" ;)

[super cool ski instructor]

And for the more relaxing ones, you can use "ganja" or "purple haze" ;)

I'm a fan of hippie lettuce, myself.

[melinda]

I say "offen" (silent t), not of-ten

I lissen, not lis-ten

A-gen, not A-gain

:mrgreen:

I'm from the south too.


me too, Jeny ... and we've got it right. :)

[melinda]

I feel the same way about people who pronounce herb as 'erb, unless they usually say 'arry and 'enry.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gA7qq7Ja4U&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3 Fhl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial%26hs%3D1ND%26q%3DMy&feature=player_embedded

I say "erb" ... I also call Houston "YOU-ston". I was born and raised there, so I KNOW I'm right. YOU-ston is the correct pronunciation of the city. ;)

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I'm a fan of hippie lettuce, myself.

This explains all of the double posting on Friday ;)

[VA-165 Boomer]

partner with a d?:lol::hand:

[super cool ski instructor]

This explains all of the double posting on Friday ;)

:)) Tell me about it.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

partner with a d?:lol::hand:

Ski prefers "potnah"

[Mustang JEB]

Ski prefers "potnah"


That stuff makes you lazy..

[VA-165 Boomer]

That stuff makes you lazy..I think she would term it "laid back":cool:

[FoxGranadaChuck]

So, how do you pronounce "often"?

There's really only two ways people do it.

Do you have a reason for pronouncing it the way you do?

I'll pronounce my thoughts on the subject in a couple of days.


I pronounce it "off-ten."

This is largely because of my Dad who was born and raised in Utica, NY.

[bayoubill]

I still say off-tin....and feel no need to apologize for it.


Haven't we already been through this, ski? :rolleyes:



:lol:

[PaleoPaul]

I should have given you MY pronunciation earlier, Bill...dammit! :doh:

[bayoubill]

I'll take Merriam-Webster's advice & pronounce it either correct way:

\ˈȯ-fən, ÷\

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often


The dictionary doesn't necesarily imply "correct" usage...

only popular usage.


The version with the "t" being sounded out was added to the dictionary only in the last few decades,

in recognition of the fact that, in the past couple of generations, so many people have come to pronounce the word incorrectly.

[free2B]

offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin offin is that often enough bayou?

[super cool ski instructor]

Hey Bill...so what? ;)

Why, and I am not talking about you Bill, do some people feel the need to try to make people feel inferior because of the way they say something?


I actually got into a discussion here with some Southerners and they all ganged up on me because I said "pee-cahn" and not "pi-cahn". Seriously...are people that desperate to try and be right?

Drives me nuts.


\rant over.

[Mustang JEB]

I actually got into a discussion here with some Southerners and they all ganged up on me because I said "pee-cahn" and not "pi-cahn". Seriously...are people that desperate to try and be right?

Drives me nuts.


\rant over.

As they should have!

Pecan is "pih-cahn," and unless you are very strange, a pee-can is not something you want near your mouth.

:lol:

[super cool ski instructor]

As they should have!

Pecan is "pih-cahn," and unless you are very strange, a pee-can is not something you want near your mouth.

:lol:

Case in point....thanks Stang ;)

[Mustang JEB]

Case in point....thanks Stang ;)

:lol:

[ThrowCop]

The dictionary doesn't necesarily imply "correct" usage...

only popular usage.


The version with the "t" being sounded out was added to the dictionary only in the last few decades,

in recognition of the fact that, in the past couple of generations, so many people have come to pronounce the word incorrectly.Sorry, but that is how every language evolves.

Enough people use the word or pronounce it a certain way and it becomes, "correct."

[drylok]

No T for me :)

[Dragon1963]

No T for me :)

Would you prefer coffee?