Pedants' Paradise

[jean]

Yes that's it exactly - iconoclasticism would have to be a fully worked-out philosophy rather than an occasional example of the sort of casual leftwingery the Telegraph associates with the BBC

[Serial_Apologist]

Cerebral, or cerebral?

For me, always the first option.

[Lat-Literal]

I think we can look forward to lots more "unpresidented acts". His aides could try taking his phone off him, but he'd only get another one

Yes - he can't spell - that is the second example I have seen although I agree with him about Russia and probably nothing else.

Cerebral, or cerebral?

For me, always the first option.

Very wise, s_a, as always.

Very wise.

[french frank]

Cerebral, or cerebral?

For me, always the first option.

OED has /ˈsɛrɪbrəl/ - no alternative: that's what I would say (I've never heard anyone refer to cerebral palsy).

[Serial_Apologist]

OED has /ˈsɛrɪbrəl/ - no alternative: that's what I would say (I've never heard anyone refer to cerebral palsy).

Thanks french frank. And Lat.

Here's another oddity, said repeated on this morning's The Wright Stuff: "An human disaster", describing the top man at the Red Cross's reaction to the crisis in the NHS.

Perhaps they were subconsciously thinking of an inhuman disaster. Are you an human being??

[Lat-Literal]

Thanks french frank. And Lat.

Here's another oddity, said repeated on this morning's The Wright Stuff: "An human disaster", describing the top man at the Red Cross's reaction to the crisis in the NHS.

Perhaps they were subconsciously thinking of an inhuman disaster. Are you an human being??

An 'otel ish.

But seeing it was "The Wright Stuff", probably just wrong.

"Are you 'uman?"

"Yes I am - I am an human being"

(cue extended conflict)

[gurnemanz]

Collins: cerebral ˈsɛrɪbrəl; US: səˈri:brəl

[french frank]

Here's another oddity, said repeated on this morning's The Wright Stuff: "An human disaster", describing the top man at the Red Cross's reaction to the crisis in the NHS.

It seems to reflect the frequent American pronunciation of 'human' as 'yooman'. It still shouldn't be 'an yooman' because the semi-consonant 'y' is a full consonant in that position. Americans also say 'erb' for 'herb'. But 'an erb' would then be correct.

With hotel, people perceive 'otel' to be a posh pronunciation, and 'an otel' is correct if you use that pronunciation. People mix up the two and say 'an hotel' which is silly, pseudo-posh. If you're going to pronounce the 'h', then 'a hotel' [uh hhotel], just as you say 'a hedge' or 'a heavy load'.

So 'an human' and 'an hotel' both seem to be in the category of British English speakers only partially absorbing alternative ('foreign') pronunciations.

[vinteuil]

With hotel, people perceive 'otel' to be a posh pronunciation, and 'an otel' is correct if you use that pronunciation. People mix up the two and say 'an hotel' which is silly, pseudo-posh. If you're going to pronounce the 'h', then 'a hotel' [uh hhotel], just as you say 'a hedge' or 'a heavy load'.

.

... up to a point. But note that 'hedge' and 'heavy' are stressed on the first syllable. There is I think an establisht usage of using 'an' before an h where the first syllable is unstressed - so, 'a history', but 'an historical precedent'. Hence 'an hotel' is not necessarily "silly, pseudo-posh".

[french frank]

... up to a point. But note that 'hedge' and 'heavy' are stressed on the first syllable. There is I think an establisht usage of using 'an' before an h where the first syllable is unstressed - so, 'a history', but 'an historical precedent'. Hence 'an hotel' is not necessarily "silly, pseudo-posh".

I agree that 'an historical' is equally acceptable, though my second thought would be whether in 'an hotel' the second syllable always carries the stress. When people say 'an hotel' they sound pretty equal to me because of the extra effort in producing the 'h' sound after the 'n'? Historical' may be exceptional. An heretical? An heroical? But an 'orrific … More complicated than I suggested

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... up to a point. But note that 'hedge' and 'heavy' are stressed on the first syllable. There is I think an establisht usage of using 'an' before an h where the first syllable is unstressed - so, 'a history', but 'an historical precedent'. Hence 'an hotel' is not necessarily "silly, pseudo-posh".

Even with the "h" emphasized; "an hhotel" (as opposed to "an 'otel")?

[ahinton]

Even with the "h" emphasized; "an hhotel" (as opposed to "an 'otel")?

Sounds like Hhhancock's hhhalf-hour...

[Ferretfancy]

I suspect this is of World War One vintage. John Betjeman always said an 'otel and enjoyed playing goff.

Incidentally, why are American herbs "erbs?

[vinteuil]

Even with the "h" emphasized; "an hhotel" (as opposed to "an 'otel")?

... o, it's not wot I would say (I'm in the "an otel" [ or even "an ôtel" ] camp... ) : I was merely querying Fr: Fr:'s rather too rapid dismissal of "an hhotel" as a possibility.

[french frank]

Even with the "h" emphasized; "an hhotel" (as opposed to "an 'otel")?

Yes, that WAS what I meant. I'm busy doing something else and not concentrating. An istorical is fine. An hhistorical, no. And an hhotel, no. No?