# Why "primmer" vs "prymer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 26, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817 "2009-03-26T00:59:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/1 "2009-03-26T00:59:03Z")
Since I was a kid everyone (adults, teachers, newscasters et al) pronounced primer, as in an introductory book, the same as for a base coat of paint. Now I hear everyone, it seems, pronouncing the word as if there were two "m"s. [m-w.com](http://m-w.com) that way. I thought that that pronunciation (primmer) was a British thing. Sounds like an affectation to me. 😉 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/2 "2009-03-26T01:05:00Z")
And here I was thinking “primmer” was an American thing. I remember Jodie Foster pronouncing it that way in the film Contact, and thinking how weird it sounded. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/3 "2009-03-26T01:09:14Z")
When I was a wee tyke (in New Zealand) the youngest school classes were “Primer 1”, “Primer 2” etc (then it went to Standards, then Forms. It’s all changed now). Anyways, it was pronounced “primmer” but in all other cases of the word it was pronounced “prymer”. Like the OP, I have never understood why the discrepancy. The word appears to have a connected meaning, so it’s not separated by a different etymology. And it doesn’t appear to be a regionalism if it happened down here in a similar way to America. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/4 "2009-03-26T01:18:02Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > When I was a wee tyke (in New Zealand) the youngest school classes were “Primer 1”, “Primer 2” etc (then it went to Standards, then Forms. It’s all changed now). > > Anyways, it was pronounced “primmer” but in all other cases of the word it was pronounced “prymer”. > > Like the OP, I have never understood why the discrepancy. The word appears to have a connected meaning, so it’s not separated by a different etymology. And it doesn’t appear to be a regionalism if it happened down here in a similar way to America. > > Weird. Elementary school (1st-6th) here is also called “primary” school, with the “y” sound. Dang, I can’t remember the proper terms for both sounds. Gettin’ old. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/5 "2009-03-26T01:21:26Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > And here I was thinking “primmer” was an American thing. I remember Jodie Foster pronouncing it that way in the film Contact, and thinking how weird it sounded. According to [merriam-webster.com](http://merriam-webster.com), it sort of is; or at least “prymer” is sort of a British thing: Main Entry: 1prim·er Listen to the pronunciation of 1primer Pronunciation: \ˈpri-mər, chiefly British ˈprī-mər\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, layperson’s prayer book, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin primarium, from Late Latin, neuter of primarius primary Date: 14th century 1 : a small book for teaching children to read 2 : a small introductory book on a subject 3 : a short informative piece of writing ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/6 "2009-03-26T01:29:57Z")
So maybe it’s just one of those things made up by intellectuals? Like “your-un-us”? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/7 "2009-03-26T01:52:24Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Elementary school (1st-6th) here is also called “primary” school, with the “y” sound. Same in NZ, but each class was divided up into groups. Primary School: Age 5 - 6, the junior class, were known as Primer 1, and Primer 2. Age 7 - 10, the senior class, were separated into Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard, 3, and Standard 4. High School: Age 11 - 12, Intermediate, was Form 1, and Form 2. Age 13 - 17, High School, was Form 3, Form 4, Form 5, Form 6, and Form 7. This was the 70s and 80s. They have more recently standardised the entire deal, and it matches Australia’s current method, which is Year 1 thru Year 12. Makes sense, except it takes some mental effort to figure out equivalents so people know what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/8 "2009-03-26T23:42:42Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > They have more recently standardised the entire deal, and it matches Australia’s current method, which is Year 1 thru Year 12. [NITPICK] Actually, Australia’s first year (for five-year-olds) is Kindergarten, then years 1-12. The primary and secondary school systems are usually lumped together as “K-12” when you’re talking about lower education. [/NITPICK] ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/9 "2009-03-26T23:45:41Z")
I’ve always thought “primmer” sounded downright stupid. In my mind, a “prymer” was “priming” you for higher learning. Duh! ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/10 "2009-03-27T00:00:20Z")
I’d like to know under which rule of spelling it would be pronounced “primmer”. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/11 "2009-03-27T00:07:01Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Since I was a kid everyone (adults, teachers, newscasters et al) pronounced primer, as in an introductory book, the same as for a base coat of paint. Now I hear everyone, it seems, pronouncing the word as if there were two "m"s. [m-w.com](http://m-w.com) that way. I thought that that pronunciation (primmer) was a British thing. ‘Primmer’ is a separate word, meaning ‘more prim’. This Brit has always pronounced ‘primer’ with a long ‘i’. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/12 "2009-03-27T00:16:48Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > And here I was thinking “primmer” was an American thing. I remember Jodie Foster pronouncing it that way in the film Contact, and thinking how weird it sounded. I remmber that bit very distinctly, because it took me awhile to figure out what the hell she was saying. I thought I was dumb because I’d never heard of this new word “primmer.” So, this Ontarian has never heard it outside of a movie. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/13 "2009-03-27T00:19:22Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > ‘Primmer’ is a separate word, meaning ‘more prim’. This Brit has always pronounced ‘primer’ with a long ‘i’. I know. What I mean is, why do those who use the “primmer” pronunciation to refer to the book, etc? One glaring offender: [of all people](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primer) :rolleyes:! Be sure to click on the little red speaker. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/14 "2009-03-27T00:24:48Z")
> [@BigNik](#): > > [NITPICK] Actually, Australia’s first year (for five-year-olds) is Kindergarten, then years 1-12. The primary and secondary school systems are usually lumped together as “K-12” when you’re talking about lower education. [/NITPICK] [uber-nitpick]Unless you’re in Victoria, where the intro year of school is Prep, and Kindergarten is what 3 and 4 year olds do. Or South Australia, where it’s, apparently, “Reception” (or so I’m told…) [/uber-nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/15 "2009-03-27T00:52:38Z")
Opps! Posted to the wrong thread. Been huffing the primmer, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/16 "2009-03-27T00:59:26Z")
> [@BigNik](#): > > [NITPICK] Actually, Australia’s first year (for five-year-olds) is Kindergarten, then years 1-12. The primary and secondary school systems are usually lumped together as “K-12” when you’re talking about lower education. [/NITPICK] > [@Aspidistra](#): > > [uber-nitpick]Unless you’re in Victoria, where the intro year of school is Prep, and Kindergarten is what 3 and 4 year olds do. Or South Australia, where it’s, apparently, “Reception” (or so I’m told…) > [/uber-nitpick] Right. Well, thank you for the clarification. I think. Whatever the case, it’s not how it was when I grew up. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/17 "2009-03-27T13:55:19Z")
In the early 1950s, when I was a tyke, we had the Dick and Jane books for learning to read. I learned that a previous generation’s books were called primers, rhyming with dimmers, not timers. There was an author’s name associated with those primers, which escapes me just now. Until a few years ago, that was the only use of that short-i primer I ever heard. The scope of its use has grown in the last few years to mean a beginner’s guide to any field. For example, you’ll see a primer for stock investing, a primer for plumbing, a primer for horse track betting, and so on. The long-i primer still is used for base coat paint, ammunition parts, and pumps. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/18 "2009-03-27T14:34:51Z")
When I see a question of this nature (which I _love_, by the way), I like to recommend a book about the idiosyncrasies of the English language. It is by Richard Lederer and it is called _Foxen In The Hen Hice_. Plural of "ox’ being “oxen” Plural of “louse” being “lice” So he’s asking why we don’t say _this_ instead of _that_.🙂 There are several books aabout the English language by him, but that’s the only I remember. It’s quite humorous! Thanks, great thread!😃 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/19 "2009-03-27T14:51:31Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > So maybe it’s just one of those things made up by intellectuals? Like “your-un-us”? 😉 Maybe it’s a shibboleth. You know, to tell college prep from vo-ed? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817/20 "2009-03-27T15:06:51Z")
The pronunciation of the book has officially been “primmer” for quite a long time. But I grew up with everyone saying “primer”, with a long I, and it seems to be more consistent with general rules of pronunciation (not to mention the pronunciation of the word in other uses). So I have knowingly and deliberately been using the long I pronunciation of “primer” in my small part to make this the accepted pronunciation through common usage. The “primmer” pronunciation is, to my mind, an abomination. I do the same thing with "im-PIE-us pronunciation of “impious”, which is, according top my dictionary. supposed to be IM-pee-us. But that’s a word that hardly antbody uses. I’d also be trying to wipe out the “PAT-ih-nuh” pronunciation of “patina” (which everyone says “puh-TEE-nuh”, but I’ve never actually heard anyone say it that way. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-primmer-vs-prymer/490817.md?page=2)