Re: [OT] Of the meaning of GNUS

[wmperry@gnu.org (William M. Perry)]

Lloyd Zusman <ljz@asfast.com> writes:

> kai.grossjohann@gmx.net (Kai Großjohann) writes:
>
>> Lloyd Zusman <ljz@asfast.com> writes:
>>
>>> In English, the word "gnu" (meaning "wildebeest") can be pronounced with
>>> a silent "g", so that it sounds exactly the same as "new".  Therefore,
>>> using that convention, "Gnus" would be pronounced like "news".  Since
>>> Gnus was originally created as a usenet newsreader, that's a very
>>> appropriate name.
>>
>> I understand that the G is not silent, says Lars.
>
> Check "gnu" in an English dictionary.  I looked in several, and in all
> cases, the "g" is silent.  The first pronunciation is "noo", and the
> second one is "nyoo" (as if the "gn" were reversed to "ng", and the "g"
> turned into a glide).

The fundamental problem is the 'gnu' is not an english word, so I would not
trust their pronunciation.  I remember seeing an explanation by RMS at one
point about how the original pronunciation (by the indigenous people of the
area) of gnu was 'guh-new' and it was butchered when being imported into
the english language.  Anybody else remember this?

-bp
-- 
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