# Lincoln - "oln" pronounced "en"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 19, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291 "2025-08-19T22:25:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/41 "2025-08-21T12:56:46Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > There are many words that were originally from older forms of English where all the letters were pronounced (as in draught, where the guttural “gh” eventually became “f”) and I read something once that the spellings were the result of the first English language bible, printed in the Netherlands since England at the time was Catholic and had a low tolerance for protestant nonsense like actually being able to read the bible. The Dutch had a more “rough” or gutteral pronunciation of the “ough” and “augh” as English was spoken at the time, so that’s the way things were spelled out. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/42 "2025-08-21T15:27:06Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > The Dutch had a more “rough” or gutteral pronunciation of the “ough” and “augh” as English was spoken at the time, so that’s the way things were spelled out. When have you heard an English speaker “correctly” pronounce _any_ of the consonants in “van Gogh”? However, Scotland was also a Catholic country until 1560… ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/43 "2025-08-21T17:14:28Z")
> [@Schnitte](#): > > Isn’t “salmon” with its silent L a similar case (but not involving a proper name)? Yep. But I have heard a number of people pronounce the “L” including my wife. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/44 "2025-08-21T19:05:06Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I’m reminded of a Scottish friend who corrected me when I tried to pronounce the British name “Featherstonehaugh.” Was the friend’s name Marjoriebanks (pronounced Marchbanks)? Incidentally, in Canada lieutenant (= in place of the holder) is also pronounced lefftenant. Sorry, I just saw the reply from @Schnitte which explains it better. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/45 "2025-08-21T21:38:34Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > LIN-kun I’ve always heard it pronounced: LEEN kun Unless you are pronouncing LIN as LEEN Pronouncing it LIN-kun (short I) sounds funny to my ears. ETA: I would pronounce LIN-kun as Lynn kun ---
**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:** [August 21, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/46 "2025-08-21T21:50:11Z")
It’s not really that. For me it’s more of a short “I”, but it’s not an “n” but a nasal. Like in “link,” but not in “Lynn.” ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/47 "2025-08-21T21:55:06Z")
Maybe it’s regional, but where I grew up (and we ate a lot of links) it was pronounced leenks. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/48 "2025-08-21T21:58:28Z")
FWIW, the dictionaries only list one pronunciation, as ˈliŋk > **[Definition of LINK](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/link)** > > a connecting structure: such as; a single ring or division of a chain; one of the standardized divisions of a surveyor's chain that is 7.92 inches (20.1 centimeters) long and serves as a measure of length… See the full definition or [lingk] > **[Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/link)** > > The world's leading online dictionary: English definitions, synonyms, word origins, example sentences, word games, and more. A trusted authority for 25+ years! or IPA /lɪŋk/ > **[link - Wiktionary, the free dictionary](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/link)** All those “i” sounds are the same “i” as in “pin,” but when it comes behind a nasalized “n,” it does tend to kinda almost seem like an “ee.” I know I definitely do not say “leenks.” That would sound different in my Great Lakes (Inland Northern American) accent. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/49 "2025-08-21T23:54:10Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I’ve always heard it pronounced: LEEN kun Say what? That’s just bizarre. Maybe in a stereotypical Hispanic accent but I have _never_ heard Lincoln pronounced that way. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/50 "2025-08-22T03:28:36Z")
How do you pronounce leeway? In a stereotypical Hispanic accent? it’s the same LEE sound as in leeway or leeward. ETA: I just listened to Commander Cody. To my ear he pronounces it Hot Rod Leenkun. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/51 "2025-08-22T03:55:57Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > How do you pronounce leeway? In a stereotypical Hispanic accent? Huh? Leeway has the “lee” sound in it. Lincoln does not. “Leencoln sounds like the cartoon Speedy Gonzalez accent. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/52 "2025-08-22T05:30:43Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Huh? Leeway has the “lee” sound in it. Lincoln does not. “Leencoln sounds like the cartoon Speedy Gonzalez accent. I get what you’re saying, but for me (as for pulykamell), the “n” forces me to say the “i” a little closer to “ee” than a typical short i (as in “pin”). There are two things that typically distinguish “i” from “ee”: the tongue (higher for “ee”) and, less importantly for the sound, the lips (smiling for “ee”). The stereotypical Spanish accent requires both, while the “n”-forced change only (partially) requires the former. So, you’re both right, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/53 "2025-08-22T05:47:04Z")
I just realized it isn’t the “n” alone that forces the subtle vowel change; it’s the “nk” combo sound. Note how your tongue anticipates the “k", and sets up for it at the same time as the “n” (effectively making an “ng” sound, a single phoneme in IPA). I realized this because saying “Lin” (as in “Linda”) _doesn’t_ force the vowel change. (But note how “ling,” as in “bowling,” _does_.) I see pulykamell beat me to the punch - as has happened quite a few times over the decades. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/54 "2025-08-22T06:20:28Z")
Sorry for the triple post – my last words on the subject: Note that “-k” alone, like “-n” alone, doesn’t force the subtle vowel change. (“Lick” has the fully “short i” sound). It’s the combination – again, because “nk” actually must be pronounced “ngk.” That’s not about any dialect, it’s just tongue physics, and it’s the “ng” that forces the vowel change (_that_ part might vary a little among dialects, but I’d wager it’s always there at least a little). What about “g”? A voiced “k” – tongue hits the roof in the same place, but because it’s voiced, it sticks there a little longer. I predicted it would force a following “i” toward “ee” _just a tiny bit_ – less than with “ng,” which requires even more of the tongue to be pressed against the palate – and, sure enough, that’s true, at least in my dialect. In other words, I pronounce the vowel in “lig” (as in “ligament”) just slightly towards the one in “league” (but without smiling, as I do for “league”) – unlike the vowel in, say, “lit” or “lin” or “lid.” ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/55 "2025-08-22T08:08:12Z")
Hmm. I don’t pronounce the second L in Lincoln, but it’s presence influences me to say “con,” not a schwa for the second syllable, an I wonder if that’s why it’s been retained. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/56 "2025-08-22T15:47:45Z")
To cite other examples of a silent L: In British English, “falcon” is commonly pronounced “FAW-ken”; this differs from the American pronunciation, which to my knowledge prefers “FAL-ken” (with the first syllable rhyming with “pal”). And then, there are, of course, words like “balm” and “palm”, where AFAIK the pronunciation without the L predominates in both the UK and the US. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/57 "2025-08-22T20:31:13Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Leeway has the “lee” sound in it. Lincoln does not. And I’m saying, regionally where I’m from, it does. But it does not sound anymore like the Frito Bandito that saying leeway… unless you go out of your way to. [This link](https://www.google.com/search?q=lincoln+pronounce&rlz=1C1EJFC_enUS922US922&oq=lincoln+pronounce&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRiPAtIBCDc2NDZqMGoxqAIAsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) uses the pronunciation **ling** ·kn. The ‘I’ in their pronunciation is some where between Lynn and ding. I’ve only heard ding pronounced as deeng. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/58 "2025-08-23T00:48:28Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > regional variations include such abominations as LEAN-kin @Lucas_Jackson well, I expect LEAN and LEEN are pronounced the same here, so your pronunciation is an accepted one. Sorry about the ‘abomination’ bit. 😬 ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/59 "2025-08-23T01:04:27Z")
It’s all good. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291/60 "2025-08-30T20:52:15Z")
> [@Schnitte](#): > > To cite other examples of a silent L: In British English, “falcon” is commonly pronounced “FAW-ken”; Saw this last week on a computer I wasn’t logged in on and assumed someone else would come in to correct it. No, falcon is never pronounced “fawken” in standard British English. I’m not sure what would have given you that impression. It’s always pronounced something like FALL-con\*, with the ‘o’ being a schwa. Even in dialects where a ‘ll’ becomes a ‘w’, like Cockney or in some parts of Scotland, I don’t think you’d here ‘fawken’ much, or at all. \*‘FALL’ here being pronounced like the verb ‘fall’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-oln-pronounced-en/1022291.md?page=4)