# Not pronounciation, but... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 22, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270 "2003-07-22T23:50:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/1 "2003-07-22T23:50:51Z")
Repeating stuff. My twin cousins used to repeat everything they said, but very softly and to themselves. Right after they said something out loud, they’d say it again. Something like this; “Hi, how’re you doin’[sub]Hi, how’re you doin’[/sub]”? Or; “Let’s go get a burger[sub]Let’s go get a burger[/sub]” Wierd, huh? Does anyone know someone who does this, and why? Insecurity, maybe? Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![hobbes730](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/97f17d/32.png) [@hobbes730](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobbes730)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/2 "2003-07-23T02:36:43Z")
Sounds like OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or at least a symptom of it. I did the same thing as a kid, except I repeated everything in my head instead of out loud, and did it 3 times instead of just once. I was nuts. Go figure. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Z\_Al](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/41988e/32.png) [@Z\_Al](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Z_Al)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/3 "2003-07-23T02:54:36Z")
Yes that is indeed a symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder, and it is more common with children than adults. You can find out more about it using your favourite search engine, but I’ve found this site: [http://www.mhacolorado.org/forparents.htm](http://www.mhacolorado.org/forparents.htm) Scroll down half-way through and it’s got some info about the disorder. ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/4 "2003-07-23T04:42:17Z")
I did it as a child. I was just very shy and nervous that what I said didn’t sound right. I stopped after my dad commented on it once. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/5 "2003-07-23T10:36:18Z")
But it is not considered OCD when used in pop songs by backup singers. “Yes, he’s ridin’ that night train to Georgia” [sub]_that night train to Georgia_[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Tarantula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e274bd/32.png) [@Tarantula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarantula)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/6 "2003-07-23T10:42:29Z")
I still do that. Everyone tells me so. I am not particularly shy, and have no other symptoms of OCD. I usually just like to hear how what I said sounded - if it sounded funny (I tell a shit load of jokes and intonation and timing are important). Now I apparently do it all the time - except when I’m nervous. If I am really relaxed (e.g. at home with Ms Tarantula) I often do it… Just my 2c. ---
**Author:** ![punkkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@punkkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/punkkid)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/7 "2003-07-23T17:47:22Z")
I did it as a child as well. My parents were baffled as to why it happened, but we later noticed my babysitter, the woman I stayed with while I was learning to speak, had the same habit (although she didn’t have OCD) So it could really by somethingthat was picked up as a young child while first learning to speak. BTW, I have lost the habit myself… ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/8 "2003-07-23T19:00:35Z")
Not pronounciation? Maybe you mean “pronunciation” then? Or are there people who are “pro-noun” and others “anti-noun”? Myself, I feel more pro-adjective and anti-adverb, but that’s just me. 😉 ---
**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:** [July 23, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/9 "2003-07-23T19:12:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > \*\*Not pronounciation? Maybe you mean “pronunciation” then? Or are there people who are “pro-noun” and others “anti-noun”? Myself, I feel more pro-adjective and anti-adverb, but that’s just me. 😉 \*\* Gee, is this the _same_ **Sailor** who chastised me not long ago for not responding appropriately to the question? Seems we all have problems resisting the urge… As to the post, wasn’t there a character in “Goodfellas” called “Tony Two Times” or some such who repeated everything? I’ve never encountered anyone who did this, but have seen other obsessive-compulsive behaviors and would agree with **Hobbes**. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-pronounciation-but/190270/10 "2003-07-23T23:12:47Z")
I’ve _got_ to see that movie.