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Intrusive R

Posts: 722
Topic starter
(@dadoctah)
Member
Joined: 16 years ago

I got over inserting an extra R into sherbet years ago, but I can't seem to shake the tendency to add one to frustum. (That's the name for what's left when you remove the pointy end from a cone or pyramid.) I keep wanting to say and write frustrum. The fact that it's related to the word frustrate doesn't help me fight the impulse at all.

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(@Anonymous)
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I have those same two. Although I still say sherbet as "sherbert", but sorbet as "sorbay." It's not a frequent problem because it's too sweet for me, and I never request it. Frustum still is a struggle, but a rare one, since it almost never comes up in conversation except on the subway.

Speaking of topics mathematical, there is a commonly doubled one in integral as "intergral."

Not to mention its displaced articulation in comfortable "comfterble" -- which is the only pronunciation I'm comfortable with.

I figure the intrusive r makes up for the elusive r of library, forming an erudite fruit or cheese (liberry or librie). I tend toward the cheesy pronunciation, personally, in rapid conversation, but either pairs well with a nice Chardonnay.

And don't get me started on why yarmulke never ever has the r pronounced!

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Posts: 551
(@robert)
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Joined: 14 years ago
I have problem with frothy, like frustum.
But frosty does not present similar problem at all- It seems the problem is in the mind, not the physiodynamics of the mouth: your brain keeps thinking frustrum is a better word than frustum. Maybe more scientific, like spectrum ?
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(@Anonymous)
Joined: 1 second ago

Hm. I've never had a problem (if it is a problem) with any of those words except "comfterble," which was how my mother pronounced it. In junior high I trained myself to pronounce it more "correctly" and (usually) I adhere to that.  Sorbet  is not a major presence in these parts, but having studied French for many years I would automatically give the word a French-ish pronunciation.

 

How do you folks deal with "February"?

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(@Anonymous)
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"Febyuary" and "comfterble"

Remember: Women iron on Wednesdays.

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