daemon@decwrl.UUCP (02/05/84)
From: akov68::boyajian The reason that some words beginning with "h" take an "an instead of an "a" is that, in those cases, the "h" is silent, and so the word sounds as if it begins with a vowel. While some people (probably *do* pronounce the "h", "historic" *should* be pronounced "istoric" (and "herb" as "erb", etc.). --- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC Maynard) UUCP: (decvax!decwrl!rhea!akov68!boyajian) ARPA: (decwrl!rhea!akov68!boyajian@Shasta)
wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler) (02/10/84)
Wrong, the "h" is not silent in the word historic. Further, it is also proper usage to use the "a" form in fornt of historic. Any other usage is an affectation. Re.; Modern English Usage" H. Fowler. (Read front for fornt). Can't get used to vi. Try saying an historic. Now say a historic. See the difference? The "h" in the first example is buried. Not so in the second.
johnc@dartvax.UUCP (johnc) (02/15/84)
> A historic. > An historic. I have heard it pronounced both ways. Personnally, I think it should be 'A historic' but the other way works just as well. The rule I grew up with said use an if the h is silent, but in 'popular' usage (meaning the way people say it in day-to- day talking) it could be said either way. just putting my two cents in, --johnc ...!decvax!dartvax!johnc
mauney@ncsu.UUCP (Jon Mauney) (02/17/84)
A Historic versus An Historic. Of course, it's a matter of taste and upbringing. But why do I never hear anyone say "an history book?" Maybe the British do, but it would strike me as an humorous expression if I ever heard a Hamerican do it. -- _Doctor_ Jon Mauney, mcnc!ncsu!mauney \__Mu__/ North Carolina State University