Why is st.john pronounced

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Serginon?

It's Mingis, Neun. I read it's because the z isn't a z but a scottish letter that no longer exists.

I have described that dreadfully.

It can be interesting when these names make their way across the Altantic and back. In a town near me (in the southern US), the main street is called Gloucester Street. Many local people pronounce it Glou (rhymes with cow)-ces-ter; others say it as in would be pronounced in the UK.

Relative to Flora's post above about Menzies and Dalziel, I have friends whose surname is MacFadyen (also spelled sometimes MacFadzean). Their ancestors immigrated from Mull to North Carolina over 200 years ago and they still pronounce it Mc-fa-jin, but it does confound most people in the US and they often use "McFad'n" when making reservations and such.

Mingus hard g

Mingis
Autocorrect has a real problem with pronunciation threads

Never heard that Menzies called Meng is we call it Menzies I sat beside one in college:-). Gallagher pronounced Gallag her is another one in England. Gallagher is pronounced Galla her no g here in Ireland.

There's also Aberchirder (a wee town near Aberdeen) which is pronounced locally as Fogie.

I love these! The quirks and foibles of this language. Felyne that poem is epic!

There's a Leominster in North Herefordshire that's pronounced Lemster. I think most people know that though.

But Ratlinghope in Shropshire is actually Ratchup. My mind still boggles at that one

Great poem. Going to have to copy and paste for future use for ds' endless questioning if that's ok!

In the West Midlands Caldmore is pronounced karma. Not in the league of fanshaw!

A town near glasgow is called Milngavie pronounced mulguy. Also a village near Lanark called Kilncadzow pronounced Kilcaiggy....strange

I only found out very recently that Kirkcudbright is not pronounced as it is written (it's Kirk-oo-Bree iirc).

There is a village in Devon called woolfardisworthy pronounced Wollsery.

McCleod, pronounced McCloud....

In Milton Keynes there's Woughton (woof ton), loughton (lout on) and Boughton (bought ton).

Quay always confused me, but I'm easily confused!

Surname Cockburn as co'burn.

Mousehole in Cornwall is pronounced Mowzal.

A few places always trip me up even if I know the correct pronunciation. Dun Lagohaire always gets me even though I know it is Dun Leery.

Who wants to be called Mr Cock burn? I completely understand that pronunciation!

Hehe yes very understandable, but still slightly bucket/bouquet!

This is fascinating stuff. The language is so varied

My old boss had some relatives with the surname 'siddy-buttonnnn' spelled S-I-D-E-B-O-T-T-O-M.

Ah, but a proper posh person whose name was Sidebottom would pronounce it Sidebottom. Only the lower middle class refained Hyacinth Bucket type would say siddybotooom.

Ever been to Milngavie?

Yes I have. It's that start/finish (depends on your pov) of the WHW.

It sure is! We tried to get from the car park to Mugdock park with a buggy and wearing flip flops.

Pronounce Mull-guy

I know two brothers the eldest 11yo is called Saint John. The younger 8yo is called Stjohn (pronounced Sin Jin).

strange but true!

It's more like Synj'n than SinJin. Like a posh version of a glottal stop.

As Curlew said. I had to study Jane Eyre for my A level and there is a St John it that and is pronounced as above.

Ralph no one has mentioned Ralph pronounce Raif, and as for Clapham, well who doesn't know it i pronounced Clahrm?