this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2023
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Memes

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[–] Denvil@lemmy.one 18 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Am I the only one who pronounces them both with an I sound

[–] ArcticAmphibian@lemmus.org 20 points 1 year ago

Both with an O here.

[–] SatanicNotMessianic@lemmy.ml 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Are the two obviously differentiated like that?

In most of the American English accents I’m familiar with, they’re pronounced “WI men” and “WŌ man.”

If I try to sound out using an I in both, the only way they sound different to me is if I move the accent to the final syllable, to mane it stand out. Something like “wi MEN” vs “wi MAN.”

If so, I’d love to hear where you’re from.

[–] Denvil@lemmy.one 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

From Ohio, and they aren't differntiated at all I just pronounce them the same (although I was mistaken about which part of the word the meme was referencing, I still pronounce both with an o/u sound at the beginning)

[–] AspieEgg@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think the meme is referring to the first vowel.

[–] WhipperSnapper@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 year ago

Your reply helped me understand what on earth was happening. I was like "wimin and wimen?!"

[–] DagonPie@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

Same, i think its a regional thing.