Just weird!

[Mock Turtle]

On a gameshow, the meaning of the word impious was asked with three options - one being the obvious one of being irreligious - but the presenter pronounced it IMP-ious instead of what I have always known it as being, IM-PI-ous (which accords with pronunciations for English usage) and which would then hint at its meaning. The contestant didn't choose the correct answer. Just weird! And why? Impious stems presumably from piety (PI-ety), and where few would pronounce it PEE-ity. The mind boggles.

 

[Rival]

where few would pronounce it PEE-ity

I'm a pee-ity person.



To hell with the Great Vowel Shift.

 

[Erebus]

I've always pronounced the pi in impious and piety as pie. As in pork pie.

One thing that is fun though is seeing non-Brits try to pronounce Worcestershire.

 

[The Hammer]

I've always pronounced the pi in impious and piety as pie. As in pork pie.

One thing that is fun though is seeing non-Brits try to pronounce Worcestershire.

It took AC Valhalla for me to be able to hear and pronounce "Wor-chester-shire" from Worcestershire.

 

[Erebus]

It took AC Valhalla for me to be able to hear and pronounce "Wor-chester-shire" from Worcestershire.

Not quite there I'm afraid!

If you want to say Worcestershire, you only need 3 syllables.

If you want to say Worcestershire Sauce, you still only need 3 syllables.

See? Not confusing at all.

 

[The Hammer]

Not quite there I'm afraid!

If you want to say Worcestershire, you only need 3 syllables.

If you want to say Worcestershire Sauce, you still only need 3 syllables.

See? Not confusing at all.

Damn so close.

 

[Secret Chief]

One thing that is fun though is seeing non-Brits try to pronounce Worcestershire.

I'd also recommend Happisburgh and Keighley.

Years ago I gave an Australian hitchhiker a lift. He told me he was heading to Looga Barooga. I dropped him off near Loughborough.