# Aith, eightth, or either? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 25, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887 "2006-03-25T21:50:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/1 "2006-03-25T21:50:19Z")
The Ms. says the former; I say the latter. Let the fireworks begin! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/2 "2006-03-25T22:41:34Z")
[Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) gives both pronunciations. But there’s definitely a hard ‘t’ in it when I say it. (i.e., ait-th) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/3 "2006-03-25T22:49:45Z")
Ditto. Although I wouldn’t call it a _hard_ “T” (how would a linguist describe it?), it’s definitely present. I can’t immediately recall ever hearing anyone pronounce it with a distinct lack of any “T” sound at all. Spent most of my life in New Jersey and vicinity, if it matters. ---
**Author:** ![J.Z.Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecccb3/32.png) [@J.Z.Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J.Z.Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/4 "2006-03-25T22:58:15Z")
I pronounce it, and have always heard it pronounced here in the UK, with a kind of glottal stop before the _th_ instead of any hard T. Actually, I sometimes pronounce it _ai’ff_ but that’s just down to me being Sarf Lahnd’n scum… ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/5 "2006-03-25T23:01:18Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] The Ms. says the former; I say the latter. Let the fireworks begin! [/QUOTE] “You say eether and I say eyether. You say neether and I say neyether …” (George and Ira Gershwin, 1937) It’s ait-th beyond any shadow of a doubt. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2006, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/6 "2006-03-25T23:45:24Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Ditto. Although I wouldn’t call it a _hard_ “T” (how would a linguist describe it?), it’s definitely present. [/QUOTE] The “T” is present as a [glottal stop.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glottal_stop) It’s the same as the first “T” sound in “statement”. As you say, it’s not a hard “T”, but it is definitely present as a distinct pause in the flow of the word. As a result we get what are essentially “Stay’ment” and “Ay’th” If the “T” weren’t pronounnced at all the word would sound like the beginning of “Atheist”, and I have never heard anyone pronounce it in that way. Is suspect that the OP’s wife doesn’t pronounce it like that either. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/7 "2006-03-26T00:09:47Z")
[QUOTE=Blake] If the “T” weren’t pronounnced at all the word would sound like the beginning of “Atheist”, and I have never heard anyone pronounce it in that way. Is suspect that the OP’s wife doesn’t pronounce it like that either. [/QUOTE] Beg to differ. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/8 "2006-03-26T00:42:26Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] Beg to differ. [/QUOTE] With what? If the “T” weren’t pronounnced at all the word would sound like the beginning of “Atheist”? That I have never heard anyone pronounce it in that way? That I suspect that your wife doesn’t pronounce it like that either? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/9 "2006-03-26T00:53:10Z")
I’m sure he has no doubt that you suspect his wife doesn’t pronounce it that way, but given that he lives with her and you don’t, he is probably trying to tell you that you suspect wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/10 "2006-03-26T00:59:40Z")
I occasionally hear this in and around New York, usually from the same sort of people who pronounce human _yuman,_ involved _invovved,_ and museum _museem_. You know who you are. (I assume you do. I sure as hell don’t.) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/11 "2006-03-26T01:11:49Z")
[QUOTE=Blake] With what? If the “T” weren’t pronounnced at all the word would sound like the beginning of “Atheist”? That I have never heard anyone pronounce it in that way? That I suspect that your wife doesn’t pronounce it like that either? [/QUOTE] What **Q.E.D.** said. She definitely says ‘aith’. Why would I have said that, if it weren’t so? [merrick/on]I AM NOT A LIAR![merrick/off] ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/12 "2006-03-26T01:40:04Z")
[QUOTE=Blake] The “T” is present as a [glottal stop.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glottal_stop) [/QUOTE] A glottal stop doesn’t result in a “t” sound. With a “t,” the air isn’t constricted in your throat (where the glottis is), but with the tip (or forward upper surface) of the tongue. By the way, **Chefguy** , does the Ms. pronounce “width” the same as “with”? ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/13 "2006-03-26T01:59:05Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] What **Q.E.D.** said. She definitely says ‘aith’. [/quote] OK > [@](#): > > Why would I have said that, if it weren’t so? You didn’t say that. You said “aith” which could be pronounced any number of ways, including ‘ai’th’ with a glottal stop. This is the problem with tryng to write sounds. Even professional linguists have problems. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/14 "2006-03-26T02:03:38Z")
[QUOTE=panache45] A glottal stop doesn’t result in a “t” sound. With a “t,” the air isn’t constricted in your throat (where the glottis is), but with the tip (or forward upper surface) of the tongue.? [/QUOTE] Yeah, I know. That’s what I said in my first post: “it’s not a hard “T”, but it is definitely present as a distinct pause in the flow of the word”. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/15 "2006-03-26T02:05:18Z")
[QUOTE=Blake] It’s the same as the first “T” sound in “statement”. As you say, it’s not a hard “T”, but it is definitely present as a distinct pause in the flow of the word. As a result we get what are essentially “Stay’ment” and “Ay’th” [/QUOTE] I’m confused—wouldn’t that be the second T sound in “statement”? And I pronounce “statement” like I pronounce “state,” only without the “ment.” ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/16 "2006-03-26T02:14:50Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] I’m confused—wouldn’t that be the second T sound in “statement”? [/QUOTE] D’oh :smack: You are of course correct. I just can’t count to two apparently. > [@](#): > > And I pronounce “statement” like I pronounce “state,” only without the “ment.” Are you sure? You would be very unusual if you did. Try saying the word and enunciate every consonent clearly and see if this really sounds like the way you say it in normal speech. I’m betting it won’t. This is probably one of those cases where “spelling bee pronunciation” is overriding real world pronunciation. I might pronounce it “statement” when asked by a teacher (but probably not even then) but I sure wouldn’t say it that way in reality. Winston Churchill used to pronounce statement the way you describe, but even 70 years ago it was considered archaic and worthy of ridicule. If you do pronounce it without a glottal stop can I ask how old you are approximately and where you were educated to pick up such an unusual pronuncuation? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/17 "2006-03-26T02:22:34Z")
[QUOTE=Blake] Try saying the word and enunciate every consonent clearly and see if this really sounds like the way you say it in normal speech. I’m betting it won’t. This is probably one of those cases where “spelling bee pronunciation” is overriding real world pronunciation. [/QUOTE] Upon further experimentation, it appears that you are correct, when I’m saying the word “statement” as part of a longer, uh, statement, at least if I’m talking fairly rapidly. I had been listening to how I pronounced the word on its own, not as part of a sentence. ---
**Author:** ![BoringDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ad7895/32.png) [@BoringDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoringDad)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/18 "2006-03-26T02:28:22Z")
[QUOTE=Blake] It’s the same as the first “T” sound in “statement”. As you say, it’s not a hard “T”, but it is definitely present as a distinct pause in the flow of the word. As a result we get what are essentially “Stay’ment” and “Ay’th” [/QUOTE] Nope, I clearly pronounce the second T in statement. I have never heard anyone pronounce it as you present here. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/19 "2006-03-26T02:37:38Z")
[QUOTE=panache45] By the way, **Chefguy** , does the Ms. pronounce “width” the same as “with”? [/QUOTE] Never paid any attention to it. Now I’ll have to trick her into saying it. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887/20 "2006-03-26T04:07:44Z")
[QUOTE=BoringDad] Nope, I clearly pronounce the second T in statement. I have never heard anyone pronounce it as you present here. [/QUOTE] I do sometimes. The tip of my tongue makes a definite “T” on the first one but not so definitely on the second. For me the sound is between the old pronunciation of “bottle” in the Bronx and a “T”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aith-eightth-or-either/349887.md?page=2)