The 50 Cent thread got me to thinking about other words that are pronounced differently by different people, so, how do you pronounce ‘Florida’? I guess I pronounce it something like ‘Flahr-duh.’ I’m a native, but my mom has a very Southern accent, which may have influenced my lazy speech habits.
Floor-i-duh.
It’s definitely three syllables and it does not in “duh.” That A is there for a reason.
I have a southern accent (very noticeable). I say floor-da, or sometimes floor a dah.
The first option for sure.
I, who was raised in South Florida, pronounce it FLOOR-i-dah. My relatives in NY/NJ/CT are split between pronouncing it FLAHR-i-dah and FLOOR-i-dah, with mostly older people using the first pronunciation.
I pronunce the name of the musician: Floh RYE-dah
I picked the first option because, while I’m not sure about the vowel sounds, I absolutely, unequivaocably pronounce it with three syllables, and come to think of it, I can’t remember ever hearing anyone pronounce it with only two.
first option and I’m a native
Mine is between Flahr-duh and Flah-duh. You might have also included the one that even more-Southern ladies use: Flaw-duh, or even worse: Flaw-ah-duh
Looks like the Yankees will win this one!
Floor-dah. Native.
ETA: I can’t decide if that’s the same as “Floor-duh” and now that I’ve said it fifty times I’m more confused than ever.
I like to say Floor-i-darrrrrrrrrrr!
No option for the “Flahr-i-duh” folks? I don’t say it that way but I hear that more often than “Flahr-duh.”
That’s the option I was looking for
Floh-rih-duh. I live here, although I’m not a native.
It always surprises me how many people say Flar-ri-da.
Steve Inskeep on NPR does, and I think I heard another NPR reporter say it that way. I am from the South and it makes me cringe.
+1
Flahr-i-duh
I alternate between dropping and pronouncing the middle syllable. I’ve never been consistant with my dialect.
ETA: Come to think of it, I think I randomly use all three options in the poll.
Me too.
Been in Florida since I was 12 and I say something in between Flohr-i-duh and Flohr-i-dih. The latter especially if I am speaking fast.