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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How do your pronounce tortoise?

251 replies

Newmumatlast · 25/11/2020 23:39

It isn't a word I often use. I don't have one. I rarely see them.

My husband pronounces is tour-tus and I say tour-toy-suh

I've actually googled this and I think I'm wrong?!

Please tell me someone else pronounces it as I do.

Don't get me started on porpoise

OP posts:
MrsEricBana · 25/11/2020 23:40

Tortuss, porpuss

Timshortforthalia · 25/11/2020 23:41

Tour-tus

MyNameForToday1980 · 25/11/2020 23:41

Tor-tus -- I quite enjoy pronouncing it tor-toyce but that's not my natural accent.

addler · 25/11/2020 23:42

I say tor-tiss, and I've heard tor-tois, like choice. I've never heard it your way!

Newmumatlast · 25/11/2020 23:43

@addler

I say tor-tiss, and I've heard tor-tois, like choice. I've never heard it your way!
Lol I should've said like choice in my OP! That's what I meant but my 'suh' probably confused it
OP posts:
oldfatandtired1 · 25/11/2020 23:44

Tor-toys. Por-poise. Most Scots would pronounce similarly, I think.

horsemadgal · 25/11/2020 23:44

Tor-toys

ErrolTheDragon · 25/11/2020 23:44

tortus.

Otherwise the joke in Alice in wonderland wouldn't work - the turtle was called Tortoise because he taught us.

Newmumatlast · 25/11/2020 23:45

@oldfatandtired1

Tor-toys. Por-poise. Most Scots would pronounce similarly, I think.
This makes me happy!
OP posts:
HaveeeeYouMetTed · 25/11/2020 23:45

I say it like tor-toyce. No idea if that's correct 🤷‍♀️

MiniMum97 · 25/11/2020 23:46

I say tor - toyse. But I pronounce loads of things wrong and also make up words so I wouldn't follow my example.

I also blough-wuz (blough as in plough) for blouse. So two syllables instead of one.

FredtheFerret · 25/11/2020 23:48

Tor-tus.

Is it a regional thing?

FredtheFerret · 25/11/2020 23:48

I say por-pus, as well.

Thecazelets · 25/11/2020 23:49

Tort-tus (from SE)

DH is northern and says tortoys

Mydogmylife · 25/11/2020 23:49

@oldfatandtired1

Tor-toys. Por-poise. Most Scots would pronounce similarly, I think.
Me too
Newmumatlast · 25/11/2020 23:49

@FredtheFerret

Tor-tus.

Is it a regional thing?

I'm wondering if perhaps it is - we are both from the midlands but there's a bunch of accents in the region depending on the part of it you're in
OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 25/11/2020 23:50

@FredtheFerret

Tor-tus.

Is it a regional thing?

Yes. Any Scots that I've heard say tortoise, say tor-toys
MonkeyPuddle · 25/11/2020 23:52

I’d pronounce it tor-us, with the second syllable being the most pronounced, there’s a proper term for it but i can’t remember it. My accent drops T’s from most words where they’re in the middle. Common, as my mum would say.

IlovecatsyesIdo · 25/11/2020 23:53

Tor-Tuss (SW) 🤷🏻‍♀️

bringbackCabanas · 25/11/2020 23:53

I now interchange between tor-tus, and tor-toyce. But when I was younger I used to say toy-toyce as that's what my DM calls then Blush

DigitalChristmas · 25/11/2020 23:54

Tor toys for me

Powerlessstepmum · 25/11/2020 23:55

Tortus but also porpoys, and turquoiz - not consistent at all!

WilsonMilson · 25/11/2020 23:56

Tor-toys. I’m Scottish.

DramaAlpaca · 25/11/2020 23:57

@Powerlessstepmum

Tortus but also porpoys, and turquoiz - not consistent at all!
Exactly the same here.
Neveranynamesleft · 25/11/2020 23:58

When I was young, many moons ago, it was very common to have a tortoise as a pet. We all pronounced it toytoysuh Smile