How do you say it

[dj_pnevans]

For all who don't live in Perth there is a suburb named Cockburn but the people here say it as Coburn they say that the ck are silent. We I went to school some time ago ck were never silent.
David

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I can certainly understand why the residents want to pronounce it silently.

[joe greiner]

This phenomenon is known as "silent letter," such as the "P" in "swimming pool."

And then we have a olde favourite, "Cholmondelay" pronounced "Chum-ley." Also Worcester (Woo-ster).

Anyone for Esperanto?

Cheers,
Joe

[springwater]

fuen diheads

[Woodwould]

Cockburn's is pronounced Coburn's. There's a type of chair popularised by Chippendale called a 'cockpen' chair (because it's said to be reminiscent of the woven sticks of an old style fowl pen) and it is pronounced copen.

However, Cockhead, cockhead and cock head are all pronounced cockhead.

[artme]

Cockburn's is pronounced Coburn's. There's a type of chair popularised by Chippendale called a 'cockpen' chair (because it's said to be reminiscent of the woven sticks of an old style fowl pen) and it is pronounced copen.

However, Cockhead, cockhead and cock head are all pronounced cockhead.

Unless he is a plain dickhead.

[HazzaB]

Hey Dave,

What about Albany, they say 'All-baney' over here. Also you left out the two best ones, Where you you rather live 'Innaloo or Upper Swan'

just a few cents worth.

HazzaB

[tea lady]

So they left out a few letters in "Coburg: did they?

[Vernonv]

So they left out a few letters in "Coburg: did they?

They must have also done this with Cobar.

[Grumpy John]

So what about Poowong, any missing letters there?

[jerryc]

Pronunciations that apparently make no sense i.e. cockburn to coburn are just examples of how the UK was once very regional in it's pronunciation. (Mind you it may be that the idea of cockburn is too painful to think about)Try as I did once asking a Cornishman to direct me to Mousehole. "Never 'eard of it." I showed him the place on my map and was answered with "Ye means Muzzle." Launceston is pronounced Lansen according to my West Country wife.
But here we are guilty of mispronunciation. In Victoria I wince when I hear Eltham and not Elt-ham. A ham was a small town, so we get hamlet.. Not the Danish git.
No one comments on LUNDUN and not LOndOn. That's because we are used to it.
On the U and O sounds I despair when I hear cOnjurer and not cunjurer. As has often been stated language is a living entity.
Just two last examples; the word twat has come back into use but the middle class nuts who use it don't know it is pronounced twOt.
Wot are they thinking of?
And Featherstonehaugh is Fanshaw

Jerry

[witch1]

jerry,
and Farquharson is pronounced farkerson
witch1