# Why do people put the 'r' before the 'v' in hors d'oeuvre?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-put-the-r-before-the-v-in-hors-doeuvre/486501>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 19, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-put-the-r-before-the-v-in-hors-doeuvre/486501 "2009-02-19T03:06:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-put-the-r-before-the-v-in-hors-doeuvre/486501/21 "2009-02-19T17:39:46Z")

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> [@Mama\_Zappa](#):
>
> Which pronunciations?
> 
> “niche” I’d pronounce “neesh” (well, with not quite such a broad “eeee”). I’ve never actually heard people say “nitch” (which I’m guessing is what you’re referring to).
> 
> “foyer” I know is more correctly pronounced something like “fwah-YAY” but at least in the US that’d come across as pretentious-sounding. So “FOY err” it is to us Yanks even to me, and I studied French and can be a bit of a pretentious snob about stuff. For example my undies are NOT lawn-jer-AY, dammit!
> 
> (but I’m sure glad Feb-you-airy is almost over).

I left this ambiguous on purpose…and it seems you answered your own question!🙂

FTR I’ve heard “nitch” almost as often as “niche” on TV, etc..  
Not specifically in the US but I’ve noticed people have problems with"negotiation" and even “pronunciation” these days!😃

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