A reader just asked me a great question. I wanted to share both it and my answer, as I am sure there are others who have been wondering the same.

Hi, Kkat. So, I was wondering what the official pronunciation of Homage's name is. The word "homage" is honestly one of the most problematic words in the English language; it's actually two different words with completely different pronunciations, but almost no one knows that. - An homage (o-MAJ) is a physical representation of respect or admiration toward someone or something. For example, "they built the statue as an homage to the king". - Homage (HAW-mudge) is the act of feeling respect respect or admiration. For example, "the citizens paid homage to their king by bowing to his statue". The two words are both nouns, mean almost the same thing, and are spelled the exact same way, but are pronounced completely differently. It's quite aggravating, actually. Anyway, which of the two words is Homage named for? I prefer haw-mudge, as I prefer the idea of Homage being named after an act of respect rather than an object to be respected, but I'd like to know the official pronunciation.

Great question. Obviously, since Fallout: Equestria is a written work, there can't really be "official" pronounciations. I was aware of both versions of the word when I chose the name, and both fit: Homage both is an homage (o-MAJ) to DJ Pon3, and her actions are a homage (HAW-mudge) to the legacy of DJ Pon3.

Considering her role in the story, some have wondered how Homage could be someone who "lies" about who she is. But Homage isn't really DJ Pon3. DJ Pon3 is a legacy, a position that is filled by one pony after another. I believe it is a mark of her integrity that she holds to the vow of secrecy that she would have had to swear when taking up the mantle so that DJ Pon3 would remain that consistent, unfaltering voice that the Wasteland needs. And that she does not jeopardize the legacy for her own pride.

As such, for what it is worth, I have always mentally pronounced it HAW-mudge. And prefer to think of her in that way.