May 10, 2008

To “T” or Not to “T”?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Jim @ 3:37 pm

The question burning a hole in my cruller today is the pronunciation of the word “often.” Are you a person who pronounces the “T” (OFF-ten) or are you a person who prefers the silent “T” pronunciation (OFF-en)?

The dictionary notes that either is correct and has this to say about consonant clusters:

During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people’s awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the t in often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as soften and listen, the t generally remains silent.

I am in the Silent “T” crowd. In addition, being a Garden Stater, I say “often” the same way I say “coffee” (K00A-fee), much to the delight of waitresses in places like South Carolina and Tennessee.

So, how do you say it?

17 Comments »

  1. Hairboy, you have hit upon a very trenchant topic, one which my father and I are constantly at [friendly] odds over.

    You see, he and I argue…at least every other time we see each other…over the word comfortable, which he — an old world Brooklyn type — casually pronounces “kumm-ftih-bull,” and which I, I believe correctly, pronounce “kumm-fitt-abull.”

    And all this week, talk about headaches, my friend the Shavster and I have been quarreling over the correct pronunciation of “amicable,” which she insists is pronounced “uh-mick-uh-bull,” and I always tell her, “Yo, you in America now, girl! It’s pronounced “AMICK-ah-bull.” Oh, and don’t get me started on the whole “sheh-dyoo-ull” and “alloo-minium” thing with her. I never win. Damn imperialists.

    While I am by no means a silent member of the T’sters Union (it’s pronounced “awf-ten,” dammit!), I will say, your way of pronouncing “coffee” is the correct way. Hey, when you’re right, you’re right, and you’re right, dooshbag.

    Comment by Erica — May 10, 2008 @ 4:39 pm

  2. Silent “F,” FTW.

    Comment by Craig — May 10, 2008 @ 6:55 pm

  3. I offen say offun or maybe it’s offin but seldom sat off-ten..

    Comment by GUYK — May 10, 2008 @ 7:58 pm

  4. I’m with erica on this. There’s a “T” there for a reason. It’s pronounced “off-ten” or “awf-ten”.

    In fact, I agree with everything erica says above–right down to the last sentence.

    Comment by joated — May 10, 2008 @ 8:31 pm

  5. And while we’re at it…How do you pronounce “Trenton”? I had frinds at Rutgers who said “Tren-don” all the time. But then they were born and raised in “Joisy City”.

    Comment by joated — May 10, 2008 @ 8:32 pm

  6. Offun.

    Not from the gahden state either. Southern.

    Comment by Bou — May 10, 2008 @ 8:33 pm

  7. Ummm…you speak that way because you are from NORTH Jersey. We, in South Jersey, say OFF-ten and Caw-fee.

    Thus, another reason we need to be to different states.

    ;P””””’

    Comment by RT — May 10, 2008 @ 9:27 pm

  8. Btw., Trenton: South Jersey=Tren-ton; people from the Trenton area in Central Jersey=Tre’in. Quite weird.

    Comment by RT — May 10, 2008 @ 9:29 pm

  9. Offen. I had a teacher early on who told us that was the correct pronunciation. I’ve stuck with it ever since. Although, with my accent it probably sounds like “awe-fin.”

    Comment by Dash — May 10, 2008 @ 9:59 pm

  10. Let’s see …

    I say TRENT-nn.

    I do know peeps who say Tre’in, and instead of “button” then say buh’in.

    Jimbo

    Comment by Jim — May 10, 2008 @ 10:10 pm

  11. I pronounce “often” as “alot.”

    Comment by T1G — May 10, 2008 @ 10:55 pm

  12. Truth be told, I think there’s a “T” somewhere in my pronunciation, but i’s very fain.

    Comment by T1G — May 10, 2008 @ 10:57 pm

  13. Offin
    Kahfee
    Kumfertubl

    And I occasionally mock people who say thee-ay-ter.

    Because that’s funny to me. Which has nothing to do with this post, but I figure I’ll get it off my chest because I’m here.

    Comment by zombyboy — May 11, 2008 @ 12:33 am

  14. I say “off-en.” Or I use shitload instead. As in “I’ve analyzed words a lot, really, I’d say a shitload of times.”

    I also say “pundit” and not “pundint.” Why do so many TV talking-politico-heads say “PUNDINT” —- putting an N in there? Why? It’s very annoying. Make them stop. They sound like moronts. And make them stop saying “di-vih-siv” instead of “di-VY_siv” for the word “divisive.”

    Caw-fee. I need caw-fee.

    Comment by dogette — May 11, 2008 @ 9:19 am

  15. I’m originally from Texas and I say awe-fin like dash. I would probably ask for a cupa caawfee. Old habits are hard to break.

    Comment by Gerald — May 11, 2008 @ 10:38 am

  16. There’s a “T” in offen??? Geeze why doesn’t anyone tell me these things.

    Comment by Teresa — May 11, 2008 @ 11:39 am

  17. What the pfuck?

    Comment by Elisson — May 14, 2008 @ 7:11 am

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