Pronunciation (was : On the subject of naming the Dapper successor )

[Derek Broughton]

Peter Garrett wrote:

> On Mon, 20 Feb 2006 13:57:18 -0500
> Shawn McMahon <smcmahon at eiv.com> wrote:
> 
>> > Yeah, that's definitely a US thing.  I guess pronouncing "zero" as "oh"
>> > must be a US thing too?
> 
> Common in Australia. In fact you rarely hear 'zero" in Australia used in
> common speech.

You wouldn't hear it much in England either.  It would more likely be
"naught" - as in the current decade, the Naughties.

> It's more a mathematical / scientific / geek word. Two 
> identical numerals in a phone number will be pronounced, for instance
> "double oh" or "double four" , as well. I haven't heard Americans do that
> either...
>> 
>> Dunno.  What I've wondered about is how many countries say "zee" and how
>> many say "zed"?
> 
> 'Zed" is British in origin, as far as I know. Most Commonwealth countries
> would use "zed" rather than "zee". "British heritage" countries tend to
> say "beeta" rather than "bayta" for "beta", I would say also.

Zed is very nearly dead in Canada.
> 
> I've noticed Australians who went to Catholic schools populated by Irish
> nuns and brothers say "haitch" for "aitch"   (letter h) as well ;-)

Now that's just regional (and generally considered vulgar) in England.  Very
Eliza Doolittle.
-- 
derek