# How is iOS pronounced? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 5, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405 "2017-01-05T17:50:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/21 "2017-01-07T04:40:58Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > OSX is pronounced O-S-ten. It succeeded OS9, which succeeded OS8, which (confusingly) succeeded “System 7”. Clearly Apple’s marketing team kept changing their mind back then. > > Once OSX came out they also started naming crap after cats. Yeah, but they had a pretty good, consistent run before that with Systems 1 through 7. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/22 "2017-01-07T04:50:43Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > … > Now, those cameras that Canon makes, the EOS series, not E-O-S, but said as a word eeyyooosss (kinda like Eeyore). … That’s eye-ore. Who works for Dr.Frankensteen. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/23 "2017-01-07T06:31:06Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > That’s eye-ore. Who works for Dr.Frankensteen. _lightning crashes, horses whinny_ ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/24 "2017-01-07T06:35:50Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I beta-tested OSX, supported it professionally since it was first released, and I assure you everyone you know mispronounces it. I attended Apple Developer 1999 and saw St Steve, live on stage, introduce OX-X (and took home the highly preliminary development edition) and I heard him say, in the flesh, O-S-ten. Everyone does indeed mispronounce it. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/25 "2017-01-07T07:07:57Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > That’s eye-ore. Who works for Dr.Frankensteen. That’s FRONK-en-steen. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/26 "2017-01-07T14:27:02Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Now, those cameras that Canon makes, the EOS series, not E-O-S, but said as a word eeyyooosss (kinda like Eeyore). The name is a reference to the greek goddess of dawn, [Eos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eos). ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/27 "2017-01-07T15:03:05Z")
It’s pronounced Hfuhruhurr. ---
**Author:** ![albino\_manatee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/albino_manatee/32/2_2.png) [@albino\_manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/albino_manatee)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/28 "2017-01-07T16:19:12Z")
the vast majority of responses here are iterating the term “iOS” as initials … and this may very well be the most accepted within your circle _(society dictates 'n discriminates)_. whereas, i contend the term should be deemed as a “true” acronym … in other words, **omar** ’s first response … rather than his corrected reply. and, for the record, when a person searches for “acronyms” … usually what is labeled as an acronym may not be a true acronym … they may simply be initials. a true acronym is stated as a word. in other words, in oratorial conversation, SWAT _( **S** pecial **W** eapons **A** nd **T** actics)_ is pronounced as one syllable … it is never pronounced as initials _(or, in this case, four syllables)_ … same for SEATO 'n NATO … both being true acronyms. whereas, IBM _( **I** nternational **B** usiness **M** achines)_ is pronounced as three syllables … not “ibm” _(one syllable)_ and, therefore, i maintain IBM would not be a true acronym. juxtapositionally, googling IBM … every search-engine claims IBM to be an acronym. just a few _true_ acronyms: radar … stands for **RA** dio **D** etection **A** nd **R** anging nabisco … stands for **NA** tional **BIS** cuit **CO** mpany sonar … stands for **SO** und **NA** vigation and **R** anging lidar - **LI** ght **D** etection **A** nd **R** anging flopsy … stands for **FL** ip-fl **OP**** S **pectroscop** Y** anyway … i propose **omar** ’s first answer to be acceptable … and should be enunciated as “eye-ohs”. perhaps steve-jobs had simply pronounced it as initials i-o-s _[whether it stands for iphone-operating-system or internet-operating-system or input/output subsystem]_ … for others to understand/attenuate better. also, of course … “eye-ohs” is what i and my colleagues use. however … the above examples might be construed as being mnemoics as well. \ ref: > **[Examples of Acronyms](https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-acronyms.html)** > > In the age of technology, acronyms are becoming more common in our conversations. No longer be confused about what they mean with these acronym examples. > **[Lists of acronyms](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acronyms)** > > Lists of acronyms contain acronyms, a type of abbreviation formed from the initial components of the words of a longer name or phrase. They are organized alphabetically and by field. > **[These Are The Craziest Acronyms Scientists Use](https://www.businessinsider.com/15-fantastic-scientific-acronyms-2014-1)** > > A Quora user asked for the best scientific acronyms. Here they are from WISEASS to GANDALF. [https://www.allacronyms.com/\_science/FLOPSY](https://www.allacronyms.com/_science/FLOPSY) ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/29 "2017-01-07T19:52:03Z")
Eye Ohss Maybe incorrect, but it sounds mythological, much like the iphone i do not have I mean no one ran around calling DOS DEE OH ESS ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/30 "2017-01-07T19:57:32Z")
**albino\_manatee** , that may all be true, but actual usage counts, and in actual usage, “iOS” specifically is always pronounced “I-O-S,” despite what a computer-generated voice on YouTube with a whole 44 views says; walk around saying “eye-ohs” to people who are not your colleagues and see how many recognize what you’re talking about. . ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/31 "2017-01-07T20:09:38Z")
Yeah, color me surprised that there was even a debate (and I don’t actually see evidence of a pervasive one above). It’s just I-O-S. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/32 "2017-01-07T23:05:03Z")
> [@Weisshund](#): > > Eye Ohss > Maybe incorrect, but it sounds mythological, much like the iphone i do not have > > I mean no one ran around calling DOS > DEE OH ESS No, but they did call OS9 “Oh Ess Nine”. ---
**Author:** ![UncaStuart](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncastuart/32/404_2.png) [@UncaStuart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncaStuart)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2017, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/33 "2017-01-08T18:30:44Z")
Having spent many years working at a company that developed management systems that would run on Macs and apps that ran on iPads and iPhones, I can say I never heard eye-yoss or oh-ess-exx from any Apple employee we interacted with or from any of my colleagues. I-O-S and O-S-Ten ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/34 "2017-01-09T00:46:14Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > No, but they did call OS9 “Oh Ess Nine”. And OS/2 was “Oh Ess Two” and “BeOS” I’ve generally heard as “Bee Oh Ess.” (Though Be-ohs I’ve heard, too.) Then again, BIOS I’ve always heard as an acronym (a single word.) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/35 "2017-01-09T05:36:52Z")
Saying O-S-10 seems silly to me, for the simple reason that it will often be followed by a full version number, which starts with 10. It would be good for them if they called it OS-ex so that, if they ever go up to 11, it’ll still work. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/36 "2017-01-09T16:21:57Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Saying O-S-10 seems silly to me, for the simple reason that it will often be followed by a full version number, which starts with 10. > > It would be good for them if they called it OS-ex so that, if they ever go up to 11, it’ll still work. No, OS11 would then be Oh-Ess-Ecks-Eye which is awful. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/37 "2017-01-09T16:57:24Z")
It would be short-lived operating system invented by IBM to challenge DOS. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/38 "2017-01-09T17:38:56Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > No, OS11 would then be Oh-Ess-Ecks-Eye which is awful. I meant it would be O S ex 11. Because people know the OS as OS X, not the tenth version of a generic operating system. If they still called it MacOS X, then I could see sticking with Roman numerals. But, currently, the OS is named OS X. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/39 "2017-01-10T01:40:32Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > But, currently, the OS is named OS X. No, it is not. It is macOS. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405/40 "2017-01-10T01:53:19Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > No, it is not. It is macOS. You are [correct](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS). As of 2016 they have rebranded from OS X to “macOS” (to be consistent with iOS). The version is still 10, however (currently 10.12.2 as I write this). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ios-pronounced/776405.md?page=3)