Lieutenant

[codswallop]

Why do we in England pronounce the above rank as "leftenant" whereas in the USA the pronunciation is "lootenant" which is more in keeping with the spelling?

[Tilly2]

Because the Americans pronounce it wrongly.

[ladybirder]

Quite right Tilly. Anyone can see that's how to pronounce it just by looking at it. Tut.

[Tilly2]

Some theories here:-

https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-19576,00.html

[ichkeria]

The point at the link about Russian is irrelevant. Russian simply copies English phonetics in a lot of its words. That's why a pub is a 'pab'

V good question tho

[ichkeria]

This looks good:
https://m.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cnady/eli5why_is_lieutenant_pronounced_leftenant_by/
which supports Ross Turner's idea in N and Q

[New Judge]

There are actually two pronunciations used in the UK.

In the Army and the RAF “Leff-tenant” is the usual form. In the Royal Navy it is more usual to hear “Le-tenant”.

God knows why the Americans pronounce it the way they do.

[ichkeria]

Well, "lieu" on its own is commonly pronounced "loo" even in this country, so I guess that is why

[Tilly2]

Rout for route gets me!

Rout 66......what?

[THECORBYLOON]

It's not as if we pronounce "in lieu" as "in loo" is it? Hang on...

[Lunol]

"Quite right Tilly. Anyone can see that's how to pronounce it just by looking at it. Tut."

Really?

"Lieutenant"

Lieu as above is pronounced "Loo" as in "Payment/Holiday in Lieu (Loo )

So clearly the Americans have it the right way as I've never heard the letters L.I.E.U used as a silent "F"

[Tilly2]

I think you need to lighten up, Lunol. :-(

[vulcan42]

The first Air Force in the world refer to leftenant so that's good enough for me, we'll let the Royal Navy deal with the American "booeee". :o)

[ichkeria]

If you read the stuff at the links, it explains that in Old French "lieu" was often written as "luef". So faced with "lueftenant" it seems more understandable how "leftenant" might arise.
"Lieu" on the other hand as a standalone word might more naturally take its pronounciation from the modern "lieu".
The US and Australia may have adopted the other pronounciation for historic reasons, or maybe even just to be different, which might also explain the interesting inter-service discrepancy New Judge has pointed out.

[ichkeria]

Then there's colonel/kernel of course!

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-word-Colonel-pronounced-like-kernel-when-there-is-no-R-in-the-word

[vulcan42]

Probably for the same reason most people refer to Glarsgow when it should be Glasgow.

[douglas9401]

While we're all here, can we do bregzit?

[mushroom25]

isn't it "Glezzga", Vulcan? where the 'gers play fitba?

[New Judge]

"...as I've never heard the letters L.I.E.U used as a silent "F" "

Then you should get out more, Lunol. If you speak to any member of the Army or the RAF they will speak of "Lefftenants". Even some Royal Navy personnel will do the same. None will speak of "lootenants".

English words are not always pronounced as they are written. American people often pronounce English words incorrectly. It's not their fault, it's just the way they are. But it does not make their pronunciation correct just because it looks right.

[andy-hughes]

This is surely the vagaries of language, where time and common use prevail, and no real rules exist.

[Quizmonster]

Ich, your reference to colonel/kernel reminds me of the old imaginary duologue...
A. Have you met the colonel?
B. Yes, he's a bit of a nut isn't he?