I’m very surprised we’re at 30% ahnt. I would have expected maybe half that.
I pronounce it ‘ahnt’ and I don’t know anyone who pronounces it ‘ant’ but then I am Australian.
Ahnt. New Zealander.
Aren’t. As in ‘are not’. I’m Midlands English with southern English influences. My Welsh partner takes the piss out of me for sounding ‘posh’ when I say ‘aaarnt’, ‘paaaarth’ etc, even though it’s a regional thing in my case rather than a class thing.
Ant. I’ve never understood the objection that “ant” is confusing, because it sounds like the insect. I mean, really, in what context would the word’s meaning be ambiguous?
I’ve never heard anyone claim that it’s confusing.
The only time I pronounce it “ahnt” is when I’m differentiating it from ant.
Maybe someone’s aunt designs ant farms.
Born in Jersey, live in New England, married to a Bostonian. I say “Ant”, she says “Ahnt”.
I say ahnt. And bahnahnah.
Ant, from Arkansas, Caucasian.
I’ve never heard a Black person say, “ant” but rather “Ahnt” or “Ahnty”. It has been suggested to me that this is because the slave named Sally who cared for the White kids was called “Ant Sally” by them.
I say ahnt.
Ant in NYC.
My sister’s husband has a sister who insists his kids call her ahnt. He now requires her kids to call him oonkle.