A recent caller complained about a date who used the word, "expresso" rather than, "espresso." Martha and Grant agreed with the caller that this was an ignorant mispronunciation and analogous to such mispronunciations as "nu-cu-lar."
I must disagree. Saying "expresso" means that the speaker doesn't know Italian and its usage. That kind of lack of knowledge is different from mispronouncing an English word. In fact, in Italy one does not order an "espresso." That would indeed show ignorance. One orders a "cafe." But I think that it is the height of arrogance and snobbery to expect everyone in the US to know that the term in Italian is espresso.
Elizabeth
Thanks for your comments, Elizabeth. In retrospect, I'd have indeed answered that call a little differently, since it appears more dictionaries are listing "expresso" as a variant spelling and pronunciation.
In Italy, though, I always ask for a "doppio"! 🙂
Elizabeth said:
A recent caller complained about a date who used the word, "expresso" rather than, "espresso." Martha and Grant agreed with the caller that this was an ignorant mispronunciation and analogous to such mispronunciations as "nu-cu-lar."
I must disagree. Saying "expresso" means that the speaker doesn't know Italian and its usage. That kind of lack of knowledge is different from mispronouncing an English word. In fact, in Italy one does not order an "espresso." That would indeed show ignorance. One orders a "cafe." But I think that it is the height of arrogance and snobbery to expect everyone in the US to know that the term in Italian is espresso.
Elizabeth