My wife pronounces it three different ways, each of which she can support. I pronounce it one, but other than that it’s the way I’ve heard it I can’t support my pronunciation even after some searches. What’s yours and why?

  • AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.worldEnglish
    14·
    3 days ago

    If it’s in a Greek or ancient Latin context I pronounce it with a hard C, but if it’s a general English context I pronounce it with a soft C.

    I’m not sure what the third way would be.

    • futatorius@lemm.ee
      2·
      3 days ago

      The third way would be a difference in how the diphthong is pronounced: “-aur” or “-ower.”

            • toynbee@lemmy.worldOP
              10·
              3 days ago

              Maryland. Maybe it’s regional, like you said. However, I was sheltered growing up, so maybe not.

              • ghost_towels@sh.itjust.works
                3·
                3 days ago

                That very well could be regional. Are you near Baltimore? I grew up around DC, but mostly in Annapolis, and I’ve always said it like cen-tar

                Edit - I agree with the person below, your brain probably decided that’s how it was pronounced at a young age. There’s a bunch of words I’ve read but never say out loud because I know I will say them wrong! I should just own them, there’s too many great words out there!

            • kryptonianCodeMonkey@lemmy.world
              1·
              3 days ago

              I’m guessing he first encountered the word in text without having heard it and his brain guessed it rhymes with “jaguar”, which is understandable.

          • tyler@programming.dev
            5·
            3 days ago

            I told my wife about this thread and about how you said you pronounced it differently and she jokingly said “sen-CHWAR” in a funny voice. When I read your comment off to her she laughed incredibly hard. Her joke turned out to be spot on lol.

            • toynbee@lemmy.worldOP
              3·
              2 days ago

              Rude.

              But I’m glad I could add some levity to your day! I can often make my wife chortle, but when I can make her laugh incredibly hard it’s a good day.

            • toynbee@lemmy.worldOP
              1·
              2 days ago

              I am now questioning every word I’ve ever pronounced, but I think “shawarma” has a softer “sh” whereas my apparently incorrect pronunciation of centaur has a harder “ch,” like “change.”

              Perhaps you should consult Tony Stark to satisfy your centaur shawarma cravings. If anyone could make it happen, it’s probably him.

          • Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works
            2·
            3 days ago

            I’ve never heard it that way but I get it. A combination of (the relevant bits of) suture and jaguar. Only problem is, it’s not spelled centuar, it’s spelled centaur.

            However, until one shows up to personally correct your spelling and pronunciation, I think you’re free to call imaginary creatures whatever you call them.

          • kryptonianCodeMonkey@lemmy.world
            2·
            3 days ago

            So on the one hand, I think you are going to find almost nobody agrees with your pronunciation. On the other hand, you should wear your mispronunciations with pride because what that tells me is that you were a reader growing up and likely came about this word the first time in text without any other context, maybe even many times before you heard it spoken. Your brain made an educated guess (I’m guess pulling from the pronunciation of “jaguar”?). It got it wrong, but understandably so, and it has cemented in your brain. Fix it if you care to, but no real need. Either way, kudos for being a young reader.

            • toynbee@lemmy.worldOP
              1·
              2 days ago

              Heh, thanks, that’s a very supportive answer.

              I said in another comment, but I was indeed an avid reader and have definitely had that experience with other words (my dad once teased me for my pronunciation of “unequivocally,” for example, and no I won’t provide my incorrect effort here). However, I’m pretty sure I got this particular pronunciation from my mom, though I can’t say why I think that. If I’m correct, I wonder why she thought it was pronounced this way; she also read a lot, so perhaps your theory is correct but generationally shifted.