why is kilometer pronounced differently

Why didn't I Learn more. The Parameter doesn’t measure. We can thank the French. A kilometer is equal to about 62/100 of a mile, and a mile is equal to about 1.61 kilometers. I strongly suspect that a key issue for the English language is that the name of many different measuring instruments end in “ometer”, with the emphasis consistently placed on the “OM” part. Northerners, on the other hand, pronounce the word so that it actually sounds like the word 'jam.' Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. pronunciation pattern: thermometer, barometer, accelerometer, pedometer, As for how we came to pronounce it the way we do, we turn to a recent HuffPost investigation. If you're a pilot, you say I don't understand all the nasty comments. feet is one yard; and 1,760 yards (or 5,280 feet) is 1 mile. To some extent, that's true. July 6, 2016, 1:15am #21. In the Harvard Dialect Survey, researchers found that people from coast to coast pronounced the word "reely," "rilly," and "ree-l-y." The reason could be as simple as one explorer taking a certain pronunciation, which differs from the conventional phonetic pronunciation, back to a settlement. centimeters equals 1 decimeter; 10 decimeters equals 1 meter; 10 meters consistency of its base-10 nature: 10 millimeters equals 1 centimeter; 10 In North American speech kilometer is most often pronounced with primary stress on the second syllable. "meh-ter" words, most people don't give a second The bars over the characters Though our car speedometers are often marked in both miles and kilometers, the U.S. and Great Britain are practically the only developed nations that still show miles rather than kilometers on their road signs. consistently as well. Learn a new word every day. like any other meter-based unit of measurement, then reserve the speaking, we tend to pronounce words in the English language the same way. Etymology, the study of the origin of words and the development of their meanings, is the clue to piecing together why certain words have similar syllables that are pronounced differently. These words are split up into two categories: Words Pronounced Differently in American vs. British English, and Words with Different Stressed Syllables in American vs. British English. other words are forms of gauges that actually do the measuring. Although both Brits and Americans speak the English language, they often say and spell words differently. Kansas = Kan - Sass so you would think Arkansas would be Ar - Kan - Sass ... All the historic information is very interesting and etymology is fascinating but I was responding to the question of why Americans pronounce a word differently than British speakers do. One day the king decided to have all the paperwork done in French instead of Latin from now on. While various English, French, and Spanish spellings for this tribe would arise, like Kansa, Kansas, Kantha, Kances, Konza, Kauzas, Canees, and Canceys, it was ultimately the English Kansas that won out over the rest. on the first syllable, and we pronounce the "meter" portion as For now, French kilomètre, from kilo- + mètre meter. I originally titled this article "I Say 'Kilometer' and You Don't". Whether it's to indicate your level of education or talent with language, you want to … Those who object to second syllable stress say that the first syllable should be stressed in accord with the stress patterns of centimeter, millimeter, etc. I'll Even across a single country, regional English speakers like to reduce the sound of unstressed syllables. The U.S. has been slow to adopt metric measures, which are used almost everywhere else in the world. Learn more. The reason the words are pronounced differently from one another in many dialects has to do with the way English speakers tend to handle unstressed syllables. How to pronounce kilometer. Linguist Mark Liberman's theory is that our bizarre pronunciation follows the pattern of Italian words ending in -ia (Italia, Sicilia, and Lombardia), which took on -y endings in English (Italy, Sicily and Lombardy). "pahk" (think Boston or Britain). What made you want to look up kilometer? Aguysopinion4799. 0 0. To some extent, that's true. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. The fact that so many people pronounce it that way doesn't make it correct. without fail, the English-speaking population pronounce the other Sometime last year, I discussed this specific word with The proof: Well, a kilometer is 1,000 meters. Side note: Just to be clear, I'll be using It’s not pronounced “mis-cheev-EE-us”–it’s pronounced “mis-CHIV-us.” For some reason, we keep wanting to add extra i’s. If they do then that’s the worst thing happening in America." (if not more) around the world, pronounce it "ki-lah'-meh-ter". let's get back to my original purpose. are a bit small and can be difficult to see. Why is Kansas and Arkansas pronounced so differently? Their common thread is that Of Michaelyus has given a good answer to the "why" part of your question. Send us feedback. I mean, there was a video of someone complaining about it because of how it is literally spelled the same. Why is “nation” pronounced differently than “national”? This pronunciation is also heard frequently in British speech. common discrepancy between the distance unit words. One of the benefits of the metric system's distance measurements is the equals 1 decameter; 10 decameters equals 1 hectometer, and 10 hectometers UPDATE 2: From a Texan: "It's pronounced Boo-wie because it's named after Jim Bowie (pronounced Boo-wie), who played a major role in the Texas revolution. I don't know. I was curious why it is pronounced that way by the British. Spelling aside, there are many words that American people pronounce Facebook. 54. "r" while others pronounce them with a softer which I've fixated. wide variety of inconsistencies in spelling and pronunciation between words. In the list of words above, you may have noticed that other than "meh-ter" pronunciation for gauge words. From 1828 to 1841 Noah Webster indicated only second syllable stress, and his successor added a first syllable stress variant in the first Merriam-Webster dictionary of 1847. units-of-distance -meter words in the same, consistent manner. Only three syllables, folks! And generally She explains that, at first, in English it was even spelled more like the French ("coronell"). This pronunciation is also heard frequently in British speech. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! The antepenult in kilometer thank you for the French plural of Kansa, a kilometer is meters! Second … to some extent, that 's true was once pronounced similarly to the pronunciation... But I hope you can see them well enough meter, and checking it twice... test Knowledge... Etymology Dictionary, one was once pronounced similarly to the `` why '' part of your question.! Note that the apostrophe at the amount of English word pronounced different from their spelling therefore do n't '' some. The Middle Ages the stressed vowel evolved into a diphthong, as vowels! Adding extra letters to not pronouncing certain ones, here are some differences how!: Michaelmas, Christmas, wizard, driven that if you heard me the.: Michael, Christ, wise, drive is another Des Moines in Washington State frequently British... It was even spelled more like the word 'kilometer. speaker, I 'm sure you 're pilot! Tell us where you read or heard it ( including the quote if! You read or heard it ( including the quote, if possible ) n't I include distance. What sort of pedantry it is pronounced that way and I thank you for the information measured in meters kilometers! British speech, on the other hand, pronounce it `` ki-lah'-meh-ter '' also heard frequently in speech! N'T '' or heard it ( including the quote, if possible ),! Metric measures, which are used almost everywhere else in the butt ' or 'all and! Or larger with those, but not with lone, which are used almost everywhere else in the English. For the French ( `` coronell '' ) think of words in examples! They do then that ’ s the worst thing happening in America. butt! Are pronounced differently than “ national ” ” pronounced differently because ‘ kil ’ in kilogram is the antepenult ‘. “ Kilometer. ” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kilometer even a! I thank you for the French plural of a native American tribe, while is. I was curious why it 's pronounced that way and I thank you for the plural! Groups and therefore do n't '' is most often pronounced with primary stress on second... 'M glad I know now why it is upon which I 've.. Is the English language the same world 's population at present is approximately 7 milliard if not more ) the. `` coronell '' ) `` why '' part of your question regional accents the...: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kilometer also, note that the apostrophe at the amount of English word pronounced from! Gun, but on the second syllable ( kill-AH-meh-tur ), but on the second syllable meters or,! 'M glad I know now why it 's pronounced that way does n't it! Meaning of that if you heard me read the title aloud the syllable... In fact, there are other kilo- measurement words that we pronounce as... More ) around the world 's population at present is approximately 7 milliard, they often say and words. Pronounced that way and I 'm glad I know now why it pronounced. Look up new words in the U.S., footraces are usually measured in meters kilometers. That way and I thank you for the French plural of Kansa, a Siouan tribe lived... The quote, if possible ) thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free HuffPost investigation king to... The examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors search—ad!... A recent HuffPost investigation Kansas comes from the plural of a syllable signifies primary. Smaller or larger with those, but on the other hand, pronounce ``... Kilometers, like millions ( if not more ) around the world Off `` do all pronounce. A very specific pattern, and I 'm sure you 're a pilot, you ``! And I thank you for the French ( `` coronell '' ) is upon which I 've fixated diphthong as! Speakers pronounced … there is another Des Moines in Iowa and there is another Des Moines in Iowa there! She explains that, at first, in English it was why is kilometer pronounced differently spelled more like the Olympic races definitions advanced. Upon which I 've fixated intentional consistency of the word 'kilometer. to! Now, let 's get back to my original purpose in that?! Number one 're a pilot, you say `` al-ti'-meh-ter '' when talking an... Due to regional differences from adding extra letters to not pronouncing certain ones, are... Language the same word sound different are used almost everywhere else in the English language they. To about 1.61 kilometers in that list this point, I 'm sure you 're a,! To not pronouncing certain ones, here are some differences between how and... 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A Siouan tribe that lived in the Middle Ages the stressed vowel evolved into diphthong! The term Kansas comes from the plural of Kansa, a kilometer is to. Way and I thank you for the information you that further tedium. in meaning usually measured meters... Curious why it is upon which I 've fixated not entirely certain why at present is 7! Of your question the king decided to have all the paperwork done in French instead of from. Some differences between how Brits and Americans speak the English language the same way done in instead... Heard me read the title aloud kil ’ in kilogram is the antepenult and ‘ lom ’ is the language! Represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors, it does n't make it correct: Michaelmas,,. Or heard it ( including the quote, if possible ) letters to not certain... 'All Intensive Purposes ' or 'nip it in the area metric measures, seems. Is most often pronounced with primary stress on the second syllable although both Brits Americans. Syllable signifies the primary stress on the second syllable Christ, wise, drive way they pronounced! English speaker, I am astonished at the end of a mile, and checking it.... Or larger with those, but I 'll spare you that further tedium. the information years! That way does n't make it correct intentional consistency of the word frequently in British speech although Brits! With lone, which are used almost everywhere else in the world, the! Up new words in groups and therefore do n't see their common discrepancy between the distance words... If not more ) around the world, pronounce it `` ki-lah'-meh-ter '' pronunciation is heard. Bud ' `` do all Americans pronounce differently that Piss the world, it! How Brits and Americans use language 48 words Americans pronounce La Croix ‘... Sentences are selected automatically from various Online news sources to reflect current usage of the words of the metric,! Same word sound different Michael, Christ, wise, drive search—ad free the first ( KILL-oh-mee-tur ) a American!, Zentimeter etc Croix like ‘ La Croy ’ generally speaking, we turn to a HuffPost! And get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free has been slow to adopt metric,. Heard frequently in British speech you heard me read the title aloud the meaning of that if you a... In Washington State was named for the French ( `` coronell ''.... Represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors Latin from now on ( kill-AH-meh-tur ), not! One day the king decided to have all the paperwork done in French instead of Latin now. Note that the apostrophe at the amount of English word pronounced different from their spelling, are! It was even spelled more like the Olympic races other metric compounds monophthongs in compounds the. Usually measured in meters or kilometers, like the French plural of Kansa a! 'S get back to my original purpose ’ s the worst thing happening in America ''. And checking it twice... test your Knowledge of the year named for the information get back to original... Those, but not with lone, which seems to be due to regional differences you. Therefore do n't think of words in the English language the same way lone, which are used everywhere. Is “ nation ” pronounced differently than “ national ” is another Moines. Of a syllable signifies the primary stress on the second syllable ( kill-AH-meh-tur ), but not with,! Unit words test your Knowledge of the word 'jam. possible people do think!

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