AndyJoy Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I pronounce lawyer as LAW-yer. It seems like everyone else I know in the USA says LOI-er. I've been misunderstood (liar?) and laughed at for this over the years, but my English-major mother drilled it into me so heavily that I have never given it up! LAW-yer is still the first pronunciation in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, and LOI-yer is second. When I was in college, my best friend laughed at me and said, "You and your mom are the only people in the world who pronounce it that way!" I'm out to prove her wrong after all these years--there must be someone out there who's with me and my mom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Well, often we say "attorney" but it depends on who we're talking to :tongue_smilie: But more informally, LOI-er Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldskool Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 LAW-yer sounds as if it would be a Southern accent to me. I and everyone else (from the Midwest) I know have always said LOI-yer. Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberia Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Sorry, you guys are freaks! It does sound more proper and more in touch with the word's meaning to say it your way. But, I've never heard anyone pronounce it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWOB Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 LAW-yer sounds as if it would be a Southern accent to me. I and everyone else (from the Midwest) I know have always said LOI-yer. Lesley Well, I'm Southern and I say LOI-yer:tongue_smilie::lol:. I live in the Midwest/Great Plains now and I still hear LOI-yer. If I am thinking about it I will say LAW-yer, but in casual conversation it is LOI-yer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Well, often we say "attorney" but it depends on who we're talking to :tongue_smilie: I always say it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Here in Utah it is LAW-yer, but I'm from California so I say LOI-er. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 Here in Utah it is LAW-yer, but I'm from California so I say LOI-er. :) NO! So close! I now have 2nd-hand anecdotal information that there IS someone else who says it my way, but no first-hand admission.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Those other people must practice Loi instead of Law.:lol: I say "LAW-yer." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 nt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share Posted July 22, 2011 Those other people must practice Loi instead of Law.:lol:I say "LAW-yer." :iagree:YES!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Those other people must practice Loi instead of Law.:lol:I say "LAW-yer." :iagree: When I hear Loi-yer, I always think of Michael J. Fox. HE says Loiyer, but everyone I know says lawyer. Including the several lawyers in the family. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemyblessings Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 You're all wrong. It's "attorney". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LidiyaDawn Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 loi-er --- I didn't include the Y because it's not really said.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 English major. No accent...at least, no one's ever been able to guess by my speech where I come from. They usually guess somewhere in the Netherlands. :confused: (But I'm from TX) LAW-yer. And I'm trying to think...I know I've heard it the other way, but I can't think of a NAME to put w/ it. So most of the people I know/have met pronounce it your way. Sounds like you're hanging around too many Yankees. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 You're all wrong. It's "attorney". :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purpledaizy Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 My native Philly accent pronounces it loi-yah :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenangelcat Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 My husband is from England, I'm from Canada, we both say loi-yer. As do all the lawyers at the law office he used to work at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I know it should be LAW - yer but I've always grown up with LOI-yer. If I am thinking about it before I say it, I say it with law but most of the time it comes out as loi. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Dh is a LOI-er, but I have heard a few people say Law-yer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 regional. does not matter. I use both without knowing ahead of time which pronunciation will emerge from my mouth. Next we shall tackle AUNT. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 regional. does not matter. I use both without knowing ahead of time which pronunciation will emerge from my mouth. Next we shall tackle AUNT. :D Aunt is one of those that I use both but only because my dh says it one way and I say it another. I will often use it both ways in one sentence. I'm sure I'm destroying my kids : ) Actually, I'm teaching them grammar tolerance :tongue_smilie: Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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