Here in the antipodes we tend to say "Hols", as in "Chrissy Hols".
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Words or phrases that annoy you (even if you can't explain why) . . .
- Thread starter usagora
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I only know one person who says "Hollibobs". It's not a word I've ever used, unless I'm talking to her, where I say it as much as possible as an attempt to wind her up. It doesn't work, but I keep trying.
I don't think I've shortened Christmas before, either. Wow, I could have saved minutes of my life to date if I learnt to abbreviate. I'd only waffle more to make up for it, I suppose.
"Temperature" is usually pronounced without the "a" in the U.S., so it's temp-er-ture.
Am I correct that in the UK it's the second "e" that's ignored, so it's more like tem-pra-ture?
But our local TV weatherlady omits the "er," making it temp-a-ture, and that's annoying to hear.
Am I correct that in the UK it's the second "e" that's ignored, so it's more like tem-pra-ture?
But our local TV weatherlady omits the "er," making it temp-a-ture, and that's annoying to hear.
Yep - tem-pra-ture in British English.
tem-per-et for temperate.
Just to confuse the foreigners.
tem-per-et for temperate.
Just to confuse the foreigners.
I tend to pronounce the whole lot - but do slide a little towards tem-pra... at times.
Saying or writing "hols" makes some sense to me, but "hollibobs?" Good grief! That is beyond the pale -- sheer ridiculousness.
I'll never understand the Australian penchant for abbreviating. It goes even further than the Brits, and they watch footy on the telly at the pubby! (Okay, that last one is not authentic).
Also, some people spell "as well" in one word, as "aswell." That's starting to become annoying to me.
What do we do with all these saved syllables (or not-saved syllables
)?Not as if we can invest them and get interest.
I keep them spare, so I can occasionally use the word "discombobulated" in everyday speech.What do we do with all these saved syllables (or not-saved syllables
Not as if we can invest them and get interest.
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I think it's regional in the U.S. All of the "weather experts" (more on that in a minute) on the four broadcast network affiliates in our Midwestern city pronounce the word without the "er". It comes out as "temp-a-chur". Drives me nuts! I've noticed that the main networks' weather experts, based in New York, omit the "a" instead.
One station does call their forecasters "weather experts" I assume to avoid mispronouncing "meteorologist". All the other stations have "meterologists". (they study meters)
Brits, Aussies, Yanks, etc. yeah.
"Temp-a-chur" just sounds juvenile to me. Like the way a five-year-old would pronounce it.
Though so many people pronounce "realtor" as "relator", that I've mostly given up on that one.
"Temp-a-chur" just sounds juvenile to me. Like the way a five-year-old would pronounce it.
Though so many people pronounce "realtor" as "relator", that I've mostly given up on that one.
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Agreed; I don't understand it either.
HOWEVER...once I heard an Australian buddy refer to one of my favorite bands as Acca Dacca, they ceased to be known as AC/DC to me.
Agreed; I don't understand it either.
HOWEVER...once I heard an Australian buddy refer to one of my favorite bands as Acca Dacca, they ceased to be known as AC/DC to me.
There is a certain charm to it.
I'm realizing that what they're doing isn't actually "abbreviating". As @adrianlondon pointed out, saying "Chrissy" doesn't save any syllables; it's not about expediency. These words are a type of diminutive, originally expressing endearment or intimacy, but now with a less clear function.
I found a whole article on Wikipedia about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diminutives_in_Australian_English
It has this to say about the function of these diminutives: "The purpose of diminutives in Australian English is not well understood despite being a prominent part of Australian culture. Some research suggests that the use of diminutives serves to make interactions more informal, friendly and relaxed".
There is a certain charm to it.
I'm realizing that what they're doing isn't actually "abbreviating". As @adrianlondon pointed out, saying "Chrissy" doesn't save any syllables; it's not about expediency. These words are a type of diminutive, originally expressing endearment or intimacy, but now with a less clear function.
I found a whole article on Wikipedia about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diminutives_in_Australian_English
It has this to say about the function of these diminutives: "The purpose of diminutives in Australian English is not well understood despite being a prominent part of Australian culture. Some research suggests that the use of diminutives serves to make interactions more informal, friendly and relaxed".
Thinking about what you've said above, it occurs to me that it's often not the use but the overuse of words that annoys me.
For example...the word "imbroglio." It's a totally legitimate, real word (not a diminutive or an abbreviation, or what have you), though I would submit that almost NO ONE will ever use this word in conversation, and very few ever use it in a paper or article. I learned the word in high school, and then subsequently never used it, and never heard it used.
UNTIL around 2016 or so, when suddenly the word seemed to be deployed in every third article. I feel like journalists/reporters discover a word and then set about ensuring no one will EVER want to use it again. LOL
i know - put them in the box that contains all grandma's dropped stitches …What do we do with all these saved syllables (or not-saved syllables
Not as if we can invest them and get interest.
I felt the same way when I heard Weight Watchers rebranded as WW-- abbreviating 3 syllables to 6? That was clearly a decision made by email...
I feel the same way anytime people use W in an abbreviation. At least for URLs, people pronounce it "dub dub dub" until you find someone who hasn't gotten that memo and you have to explain it with all 9 syllables...