Pronunciation

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

What is the deal with some dr's/nurses pronouncing

"centimeters" like "sontimeters"???? I've heard this a few times and it puzzles me. Are these people from Boston or something???

I use centimeters because that is how it is spelled. Sonimeters sounds pretentious to me too.

I know "orientated" is actually in the dictionary - I looked it up long ago when I first started working in a hospital and heard people saying it. (8 years ago). It just sounds funny.

How about if I say "sont" sounds funny or different?

Please don't leave the discussion PAnurse - I'm sure no one means any harm.

steph

"Orientate" is not in the online Merrimam-Webster dictionary.

It is in the online American Heritage dictionary. and dictionary.com

I still hate the word "orientate".

Oldiebutgoodie.

I grew up in a smaller Midwestern town, and we used to order a sundae as a "Sun-duh". Don't ask me where that came from. When I moved to the big city, people looked at me as though I was from Mars, when ordering my Hot Fudge Sun-duh.

Oldiebutgoodie

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

never heard anyone pronounce sundae that way, and I am from the midwest. Must be very regional.

"Orientate" is not in the online Merrimam-Webster dictionary.

Oldiebutgoodie.

http://merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orientate ;)

;) still . . . .. .

steph

DIdn't say I like the word, just wanted to point out that it is on MW's online dictionary site.

DIdn't say I like the word, just wanted to point out that it is on MW's online dictionary site.

I know - just kidding around . . .hence the winking smilie. ;)

I did find it in every dictionary I could find.

steph

Follow the line of logic. If someone is speaking in a manner that "sounds" pretentious, do you think, "Wow, she sounds pretentious!" or "Wow. That person has a pretentious way of saying that word!"?

There is a huge difference between using an acceptable pronunciation of a word and some of the flat out manglings others have posted.

I will back my pretentious self a few extra "sahn"timeters out of this discussion.

I honestly don't spend all my time analyzing your speech patterns trying to make a judgement about you or anyone else who says sontimeter. I do have other things on my mind at any given time.

i don't think sonimeters s ounds pretentious at all---where did that come from?

Me. I was hoping we could all move on from my one careless word, but apparently it's not gonna happen.

I know - just kidding around . . .hence the winking smilie. ;)

I did find it in every dictionary I could find.

steph

Ditto, forgot my ;) on last post.

Specializes in Nursing assistant.

Centimeters: we called them "san" timeters (soft a sound), and we were as plain as dirt, just was how folks around us said it. Think it is regional.

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