Do you say "an" historical figure?

[ofhorse]

Do you say "a" historical figure or "an" historical figure?

I think I would say "an" ... but writing it down here and just musing which is correct.

Thanks.

I think it's the Yorkshire lass in me. It's a notel or a nour or a norse lol.

I think when the H is silent it's an. But there are too many rules anyway!

It would depend on whether I'm using a southern or northern accent. In the latter, the 'an' is pronounced sort of like un so it doesn't so affected as "an 'otel" - more like "un'otel". Saying 'an hotel' with an aspirated aitch is just wrong.

Thank you dodorevival.
it does make sense to me now you've said that.it never even of occured to me before but I do say half an hour.

Silent h = an
Pronounced h = a

I'd never say, "An historical event..."

An

It's funny that it's quite arbitrary - 'historical' seems to be up for debate in terms of whether it's preceded by 'a' or 'an' in a way other h words aren't.

You wouldn't say we've just bought an house, so why an historical figure, when the h in the word is pronounced?

Others have mentioned this, seems related to whether there is a french equivalent which they don't aspirate but we do (except in t'north where its un'ouse). Pretentious speakers think the frenchified 'an' is correct but don't want to drop their aitches. Its one or t'other!

Are there any examples other than hotel and history/historical?

An 'orse?

I'd never say, "An historical event..."

'An historical event' is correct. 'A historical event' is not.

It's not the same for all 'h' words though; 'an horse' is certainly not correct; 'an hotel' is.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/a-historic-event-or-an-historic-event