Aitch or haitch

[norwaysaint]

I always thought of haitch as being a bit of a brummie thing to say, apparently it's Irish.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11642588

 

It's a bit of a shame pronunciation changes as I prefer the more traditional versions, but I suppose it's always been the way and even what I think of as traditional doesn't go back that far.

 

Saying "haitch" really does sound uneducated though.

[dubai_phil]

Stupid idea for a thread will open up a whole load of class divisons.

 

Drop it.

[dune]

It's Aitch. Class doesn't come into it. Aitch is the right way to say it, Haitch is how thick cvnts say it.

[Colinjb]

It's Aitch. Class doesn't come into it. Aitch is the right way to say it, Haitch is how thick cvnts say it.

 

My superiors will duly note that for my next appraisal!

 

Who cares, Tomayto, Tomahto.

[dune]

My superiors will duly note that for my next appraisal!

 

Who cares, Tomayto, Tomahto.

 

If you don't care then you're ignorant. There's no debate to be had here and if you say haitch and know you're saying it wrong then you're just an idiot. Like i've said it's got nothing to do with class, or dialect, it's simply the difference between being eductated and being thick.

Edited 29 October, 2010 by dune

[badgerx16]

It's 'aitch'. ( Bl00dy hell, I've agreed with Dune )

[dune]

It's 'aitch'. ( Bl00dy hell, I've agreed with Dune )

 

You can't disagree with me, nobody can, there is no debate. If you say aitch you're correct, if you say haitch you're thick.

[Wurzel]

Aitch , it shouldn't even be open for discussion. Not only does Haitch sound wrong it even feels physically wrong in your throat when you say it.

 

Having said that I'm the only person I know that pronounces "nearly" to rhyme with early instead of yearly. A habit I've never got out of, but as I don't know anyone else that says it that way I don't even know where I got it from in the first place.

[Hatch]

Its Aitch

 

Haitch is stupid

[dune]

Equally thick is saying Soufamptom instead of Southampton. And don't get me started on "words" that have sprung up such as "gotten".

[Rory]

I agree with Atch. It's definitely aitch. Nerly is a bit strange tho.

[badgerx16]

Equally thick is saying Soufamptom instead of Southampton. And don't get me started on "words" that have sprung up such as "gotten".

The one that annoys me that seems to be spreading itself inexorably is 'aksing' instead of 'asking'.

[bridge too far]

Gotten is OK, although rarely used here.

 

Years ago, I was friendly with an American guy who taught English over here. He used to say 'gotten' and I used to argue with him about it.

 

However, he was right when he said it was Old English

 

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/got.html

[dune]

The one that annoys me that seems to be spreading itself inexorably is 'aksing' instead of 'asking'.

 

and another pet hate is how some people say "off of".

[ecuk268]

As the awful Mel from Wednesday's Apprentice might say:

 

If you say I don't speak proper, you'll be retributed.

[Colinjb]

It's simply the difference between being eductated and being thick.

 

I see.

 

"British English dictionaries give aytch as the standard pronunciation for the letter H. However, the pronunciation haytch is also attested as a legitimate variant."

 

As a young man of the world I do take a slight offence at being described as 'thick' for using something that is accepted as a 'legitimate variant.'

 

Language, like everything else evolves with time. If 'Sumer is Icumen In' breaks into the top 40 charts next week though I will be happy to stand corrected.

Edited 29 October, 2010 by Colinjb

[thesaint sfc]

Its Aitch

 

Haitch is stupid

 

This.

[dune]

I see.

 

"British English dictionaries give aytch as the standard pronunciation for the letter H. However, the pronunciation haytch is also attested as a legitimate variant."

 

As a young man of the world I do take a slight offence at being described as 'thick' for using something that is accepted as a 'legitimate variant.'

 

Stop trying to defend your ignorance. You no longer have an excuse for being thick because through this thread you have been educated on how to say "H" properly. Should you choose to continue to say it wrong then that is your choice.

[Colinjb]

Stop trying to defend your ignorance. You no longer have an excuse for being thick because through this thread you have been educated on how to say "H" properly. Should you choose to continue to say it wrong then that is your choice.

 

And just how will you correct me? What awful punishment will be metered down upon me oh mighty Dune?

 

And the ignorance on display is yours of the evolution of the english language and your intolerance of subtle difference. Step out of your Model T and smell the WW2 rationed coffee substitute.

Edited 29 October, 2010 by Colinjb

[dune]

And just how will you correct me? What awful punishment will be metered down upon me oh mighty Dune?

 

And the ignorance on display is yours of the evolution of the english language and your intolerance of subtle difference. Step out of your Model T and smell the WW2 rationed coffee substitute.

 

I have already corrected/educated you by telling to you how to say it properly. It's up to you now whether you accept the education or continue to look thick.

[thesaint sfc]

dune, just for the record. You are a bit of a willeh.

[Colinjb]

I have already corrected/educated you by telling to you how to say it properly. It's up to you now whether you accept the education or continue to look thick.

 

How can you correct something that is an 'accepted variant?'

[dune]

How can you correct something that is an 'accepted variant?'

 

Colin i'm not prepared to debate this with you. I am right and you are wrong. That is all.

[Colinjb]

Colin i'm not prepared to debate this with you. I am right and you are wrong. That is all.

 

Except in the eyes of the BBC themselves.

 

Enjoy your perceived correctness. If you are not prepared to answer the question directly then you have lost the debate.

[Whitey Grandad]

It's dialect. There's nothing wrong with that, except that one risks showing up oneself, doesn't one?

[norwaysaint]

Some of the comments on here are very silly and show that few people actually read the article in the OP, maybe the thread title was a mistake as it infers a right or wrong answer. Yes I say aitch, but I know it's wrong to take part of the language and hold it up as inarguably correct. Language has been evolving for years, which is why we don't speak as they do in Shakespeare plays. The way the majority of people speak WILL become the correct version and rightly so.

 

This is why English speakers no longer use the polite version of "you" (thou) even though many other languages still do. What's correct now is different to what was correct 50 years ago, so it's pretty silly to get too superior to people speaking differently, when as the article infers, what they say might simply be what will be correct in the future. Rules change. Most of us would think nothing of splitting an infinitive and that was once frowned upon strongly, in the future that rule will disappear.

[angelman]

As mentioned on the knife and fork thread (didn't see this one) 'haitch' is the way the Welsh say it.

[dune]

Except in the eyes of the BBC themselves.

 

Enjoy your perceived correctness. If you are not prepared to answer the question directly then you have lost the debate.

 

There is no deabte to be had. I admire you for admitting your ignorance, but I feel sad for you because I think you will continue to say "H" wrong despite being told how to say it properly. In fact I suspect you knew you were wrong long ago, but you're strangely proud of your illiteracy. Perhaps you wear it as a badge to say "Colin is proud to be common".

[Colinjb]

Some of the comments on here are very silly and show that few people actually read the article in the OP, maybe the thread title was a mistake as it infers a right or wrong answer. Yes I say aitch, but I know it's wrong to take part of the language and hold it up as inarguably correct. Language has been evolving for years, which is why we don't speak as they do in Shakespeare plays. The way the majority of people speak WILL become the correct version and rightly so.

 

This is why English speakers no longer use the polite version of "you" (thou) even though many other languages still do. What's correct now is different to what was correct 50 years ago, so it's pretty silly to get too superior to people speaking differently, when as the article infers, what they say might simply be what will be correct in the future. Rules change. Most of us would think nothing of splitting an infinitive and that was once frowned upon strongly, in the future that rule will disappear.

 

Absolutely. Language like all aspects of human culture is fluid. I worry though about things such as 'txtspk.' The convenient shortening of all words into this form is really starting to become quite prevalent in the teenagers I coach. I do wonder if that will be damaging in the long term.

Edited 29 October, 2010 by Colinjb

[Colinjb]

There is no deabte to be had. I admire you for admitting your ignorance, but I feel sad for you because I think you will continue to say "H" wrong despite being told how to say it properly. In fact I suspect you knew you were wrong long ago, but you're strangely proud of your illiteracy. Perhaps you wear it as a badge to say "Colin is proud to be common".

 

It is futile to argue with my intellectual superior.

[dune]

It is futile to argue with my intellectual superior.

 

The point i make is correct and you know it Colin. Why are you so afraid of speaking properly?

[Colinjb]

The point i make is correct and you know it Colin. Why are you so afraid of speaking properly?

 

Why are you so intollerant of an accepted variant? I speak perfectly eloquently thankyou.

 

I'm just trying to imagine the type of twisted image you are building of me in your mind...... care to enlighten me?

[dune]

Why are you so intollerant of an accepted variant? I speak perfectly eloquently thankyou.

 

I'm just trying to imagine the type of twisted image you are building of me in your mind...... care to enlighten me?

 

I'm intollerant of ignorance Colin, and given that you have been educated on the subject you have no reason to remain so.

 

My image of you is as i've already described. You say haitch, fully aware that it is wrong, because you like to present yourself as a common person and as such make an effort to present yourelf as a bit uneducated.

[Colinjb]

I'm intollerant of ignorance Colin, and given that you have been educated on the subject you have no reason to remain so.

 

My image of you is as i've already described. You say haitch, fully aware that it is wrong, because you like to present yourself as a common person and as such make an effort to present yourelf as a bit uneducated.

 

It has been stated and accepted that is isn't. Except it seems by you.

 

One person screaming loudly in the face of indisputable opposition is not simply going to be correct because they have their fingers in their ears singing to themself. Haitch and Aitch are both accepted pronounciations of the letter 'H.' Aitch is just the more traditional.

Edited 29 October, 2010 by Colinjb

[Trader]

I totally agree with dune.

 

Crikey!

 

So is "would of" to become correct instead of "would have" just because loads of uneducated people say it?

[dune]

It has been stated and accepted that is isn't.

 

You are a lost cause Colin. Carry on looking thick.

[Colinjb]

You are alost causeColin. Carry on looking thick.

 

Selective quoting. The tool of the scoundrel.

 

I'm happy to accept that we will never agree. So be it. Yet the indesputable fact is that neither of the pronounciations are incorrect. It's just that you feel one is right and I am accepting of both while utilising the more modern itteration.

 

So be it! More people use Aitch... I certainly won't lose any sleep in my filthy common bedsit over it. Now please excuse me, my microwave pizza is done.

Edited 29 October, 2010 by Colinjb

[dubai_phil]

So is it Hotel or Otel?

[Colinjb]

So is it Hotel or Otel?

 

No, it's 'Travel Inn.' Hope that helps.

[camdijk]

Its Aitch

 

Hatch is stupid

I've corrected it for you ;-)

[Dimond Geezer]

You can't disagree with me, nobody can, there is no debate. If you say aitch you're correct, if you say haitch you're thick.

 

I hate to say it but I find myself agreeing with Dune/Stanley, but to say someone is thick purely because they are incorrect is in itself incorrect, or possibly even displaying a lack of education. My boss has a PhD in Structural Engineering, he certainly isn’t thick, but it annoys the hell out of me, as he uses ‘haitch’.

 

Here’s something else for Dunely to get his teeth into, the use of the letter ‘h’ as a vowel, especially when preceding ‘hotel’. It’s either “an ‘otel” or “a hotel”.

[dubai_phil]

No, it's 'Travel Inn.' Hope that helps.

 

Pah - that just PROVES stupidity. Even down here we know it is Travel Lodge and Premier Inn.....

 

 

[Colinjb]

Pah - that just PROVES stupidity. Even down here we know it is Travel Lodge and Premier Inn.....

 

 

 

Oh no! I've been finally found out!

[dune]

I hate to say it but I find myself agreeing with Dune/Stanley, but to say someone is thick purely because they are incorrect is in itself incorrect, or possibly even displaying a lack of education. My boss has a PhD in Structural Engineering, he certainly isn’t thick, but it annoys the hell out of me, as he uses ‘haitch’.

 

Here’s something else for Dunely to get his teeth into, the use of the letter ‘h’ as a vowel, especially when preceding ‘hotel’. It’s either “an ‘otel” or “a hotel”.

 

The difference between your boss and Colin is that your boss may be unaware that he's saying it wrong - he's ignorant. I therefore concede the point that it'd be presumptious to call him thick. Colin on the other hand is no longer ignorant as he has been educated today on this thread, and therefore Colin is now deliberately choosing to act in a thick manner.

[Colinjb]

The difference between your boss and Colin is that your boss may be unaware that he's saying it wrong - he's ignorant. I therefore concede the point that it'd be presumptious to call him thick. Colin on the other hand is no longer ignorant as he has been educated today on this thread, and therefore Colin is now deliberately choosing to act in a thick manner.

 

Keep banging the drum Dune, keep on banging.

 

Incidentally, i've just discovered that my Catholic background may have a little to do with my 'accepted variant' pronounciation. My australian teacher at a young age taught the pronounciation 'Haitch.' This apparently is a trait of Australian Catholic education.

 

Accepted variant. Key phrase. i am not wrong, thick or ignorant. I just use a subtly different but still accepted pronounciation.

Edited 29 October, 2010 by Colinjb

[Whitey Grandad]

So is it Hotel or Otel?

 

Otel would be the french way of speaking. I suppose it goes back to the old norman-saxon perceived class differences, you know, cream/milk and that sort of thing.

[dune]

Keep banging the drum Dune, keep on banging.

 

Incidentally, i've just discovered that my Catholic background may have a little to do with my 'accepted variant' pronounciation.

 

I would suggest a lack of education is more of a factor. Primary schools and parents should correct basic things like this.

[Whitey Grandad]

Here’s something else for Dunely to get his teeth into, the use of the letter ‘h’ as a vowel, especially when preceding ‘hotel’. It’s either “an ‘otel” or “a hotel”.

I always find tha 'an otel' sounds somehat pretentious, don't you think? Here's something else for you: An orange was originally called 'a norange'.

[Colinjb]

I would suggest a lack of education is more of a factor. Primary schools and parents should correct basic things like this.

 

They had better things to do, teaching tolerance for example.

 

Selective quoting again, scoundrel.

[dune]

They had better things to do, teaching tolerance for example.

 

So are you saying that throughout your formative years you were never once told how to say "H" correctly?