In “Turmeric,” Because of the Stress on the First Syllable, the First “R” May Disappear

Hello, welcome to A Way with Words.

Hi, it’s Pearl. I’m calling from Massachusetts.

Well, we’re glad to have you on the show. What can we do for you?

The other night at dinner, my mom was making something, and she said, I’m using turmeric, and I always heard it turmeric, so I said she was wrong. And I was wondering what it actually is.

So clarify for us. Your mom says?

Turmeric.

And you say?

Turmeric.

Turmeric. Oh, interesting.

And what was she cooking?

I don’t know. It was something with kale and turmeric and chickpeas.

And I wonder where she learned turmeric. Did you ask her about it?

I think she just grew up talking with that word.

And where did you learn your pronunciation?

I think probably from my dad and just my friends and parents.

Okay. Gotcha.

Well, Grant and I are both very interested in how your mom came up with that pronunciation because yours is among the correct ones.

Yeah, and there are many pronunciations for the word, but turmeric isn’t one that’s recorded in any dictionary that I have.

That’s what I thought.

Yeah.

Pearl, are you saying the R there before the M when you say the word?

I’m not sure I’m hearing it.

No, I don’t think so.

I think I’m just saying turmeric.

Turmeric, because there is an R there that many people pronounce.

Yeah, like turmeric.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And if I’m looking at my dictionaries here, I count at least six pronunciations of this word.

And are any of them turmeric?

No.

None of them are turmeric.

That’s why we were wondering about how your mom learned that pronunciation, because she’s putting the stress on the second syllable, and we just don’t see that in any of the dictionaries.

Yeah, usually people say it with the stress on the very first syllable, like you’re saying it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, and sometimes that happens when people learn words from books rather than hearing them from other people, which it sounds like you did hearing it from your dad and from your friends.

Yeah.

Or maybe cooking shows.

Do you watch cooking shows?

Yeah, sometimes.

Oh, you do?

And I started asking people after my mom said that, how do you say it? And all of them said turmeric.

Turmeric.

I like that, a little field work.

I appreciate that you’re going out there and being a scientist to figure this out.

Yeah, well done, Pearl.

So how are you going to talk with your mom about this?

I think I’m just going to ask her where she has ever heard that.

There we go.

That’s the right attitude.

Instead of criticizing her, you’re going to look for more information.

I like that.

So, Pearl, thank you so much for calling.

It was good to talk with you.

Okay, thanks.

Thank you very much.

Take care.

Thanks.

Yeah, I think for a long time I didn’t realize that it has that R in the first syllable.

Yeah, T-U-R-M-E-R-I-C.

And so this is a spice that comes from India, right?

Yeah.

Kale.

I wonder how that was with the kale and chickpeas.

I’m envisioning a decent dish here, right?

Yeah, sounds good to me.

Maybe a nice lemonade on the side.

Have you had a dispute over pronunciation? You can always call us about it, 877-929-9673, or send your questions and email to words@waywordradio.org.