Thanks. Actually, since “semi” is short for semitrailer, the “semee” pronunciation is probably most correct.
That’s what dictionaries call an “acceptable variant.” Which basically means enough people get it wrong that they have to list it as common usage.
Oh dear god, that made me laugh so hard I nearly choked!
Ignorance fought. Thanks, I should have looked it up.
There is no word so simple that somebody can’t mishear it said by someone with a different accent.
In the UK we’d call it an ‘artic’. Or a juggernaut.
If we ever said ‘semi’ in this context it would sound like ‘sem-ee’.
I agree and have always pronounced it “semee” for that reason. It’s the same prefix as in your “semitone” example. Lord knows there are probably people who say “sem-eye-tone” for reasons known only to themselves.
I’d say definition #3 is flat-out wrong. It’s a semi-trailer because part of the trailer section rests on the back end of the tractor, so not a full trailer. A “truck and trailer” would be something like a dump truck hauling a big heavy construction trailer.
This isn’t exactly what this thread is about, but I saw some great stuff yesterday, perusing the labels on some imported snack foods (American brands, but flavors not usually available in this country). The labels were in (I think) Chinese, with a small English sticker slapped on to comply with US food labeling laws. I’m guessing these stickers were composed by a non-English speaker with the assistance of AI.
Szechuan Peppercorn Chicken Doritos features a long list of ingredients, including “Stomach Ulcers Extract” and the even more tantalizing “Rotten Extract”.
Kobe Beef Lay’s has, tucked in among its list of chemical ingredients, something apparently called “Notsuitableforuse”. I thought Notsuitableforuse had been banned by the FDA, but maybe RFKJ is bringing it back.
“semee” would be the usual pronunciation in the UK, though I’m not sure we use the word for a truck. It’s usually taken to mean a semi-detached house. Or a partial erection.
Funnily enough, there was an article published today on this…
Somebody submitted a job application where I used to work and under “Criminal Convictions” they wrote “Salt and Battery”.
A local free newspaper had an article which referred mutiple times to “imminent domain” instead of “eminent domain”.
I think it’s the same reporter who keeps calling a front-end loader or any other piece of equipment a truck. Not the brightest bulb in the package.
I think I mentioned this previously in the amusing signs thread. I once stayed in a rental house that had a sign posted in the bathroom that said “Do not flush diapers, famine napkins, tampon, or baby wipes.”
In the same house there was a sign in the kitchen that said “Do not put large amounts of refuge through the garbage disposal.”
Going back to 1985. My sister was working the ticket window at a movie theater. One of the films they were showing was The Color Purple.
One evening a middle-aged guy walked up and asked for two tickets for “The Colored People.” Sis says he didn’t seem smart assy, it was apparently an innocent mistake.
I’ve always wondered what is meant by this. Is it like an and unit, that is only attached on one side? Or a duplex?
Attached on one side:
A dwelling stacked on top of another might be called a maisonette, or a flat/apartment, but that’s straying into the subjective perceptions estate agents’ terminologies play around with.
On Audible, just found an audiobook highly rated for its “soothing timber”; no, it is not a book about forests/forestry.
I’ve always wondered about this one, a banner in front of a Chinese restaurant: “Re-Grand Opening!”
I’m Midwest (Chicago) and I say “SEM-eye” and “SEM-eye trailer.” I don’t use “SEM-ee” for either.