Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 > 06-12-2011, 03:50 PM Finocchio Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts 84 posts, read 178,956 times Reputation: 35 Advertisements More and more I hear newscasters and Massachusetts citizens alike saying "RAIN' um" as the pronunciation of the Southeastern Massachusetts town Raynham.



There's only one way to pronounce it and it's been that way since my dad's people named it so in the 1600s.



It's pronounced "RAIN' HAM" - equal emphasis both syllables. Most recently they've tried to do precisely the same thing to Wareham.



Oh and the lighthouse in Scituate Harbor (Minot Light) is "MINE' it" Light. It's not "MY NOT"!



The name "Minot" is pronounced as one would say it were they to find a diamond mine in his backyard. "OH! I've found a cache of diamonds underground in my backyard. I'll have to mine it. That's how one pronounces "Minot".

06-12-2011, 04:00 PM western mass and love it Location: Springfield and brookline MA 1,295 posts, read 2,673,082 times Reputation: 1294 You could have this arguement with more than a handfull of towns around the commonwealth. It is really nothing to get upset about. 06-12-2011, 04:17 PM goyguy Location: Cambridge, MA 4,812 posts, read 11,966,517 times Reputation: 6646 ...Stoneham, for one! 06-12-2011, 05:39 PM Beachcomber4 1,936 posts, read 4,637,095 times Reputation: 1858 Lived on the South Shore most of my life and never heard Minot called anything but what you say is the correct pronunciation. 06-12-2011, 05:44 PM CaseyB Location: Massachusetts & Hilton Head, SC 8,248 posts, read 12,444,868 times Reputation: 6621 I say "RAIN' um". 06-12-2011, 05:56 PM Finocchio Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts 84 posts, read 178,956 times Reputation: 35 Quote: western mass and love it Originally Posted by You could have this arguement with more than a handfull of towns around the commonwealth. It is really nothing to get upset about. I disagree. I value the traditions of this Commonwealth and our idiosyncracies. I'll, if you please, choose my own battles thanks. 06-12-2011, 06:01 PM Finocchio Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts 84 posts, read 178,956 times Reputation: 35 Quote: CaseyB Originally Posted by I say "RAIN' um".



You're entirely mistaken.



My 10th great grandfather was one of the founding fathers in the 17th century. The name was brought intact with the "RAIN HAM" pronunciation from England. You're mispronouncing it. If my grandfather (who was born there) could here this preposterous pronunciation he'd spin in his grave.



If you say "Rain' um" as you say you do, by necessity you must say;



"FRAMING' um" not "Framing ham" (as you undoubtedly do) giving it equal emphasis both syllables. Moderator or not I'll take my chances.You're entirely mistaken.My 10th great grandfather was one of the founding fathers in the 17th century. The name was brought intact with the "RAIN HAM" pronunciation from England. You're mispronouncing it. If my grandfather (who was born there) could here this preposterous pronunciation he'd spin in his grave.If you say "" as you say you do, by necessity you must say;" (as you undoubtedly do) giving it equal emphasis both syllables. 06-12-2011, 06:03 PM Finocchio Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts 84 posts, read 178,956 times Reputation: 35 Quote: goyguy Originally Posted by ...Stoneham, for one! Stone' um" but "Stone ham" (again equal emphasis) and one hundred years ago "Chatham" was "Chat ham" (equal emphasis both syllables. Indeed some of the oldtimers in Chatham still pronounce it that way. Fifty years ago "Stoneham" wasn't "" but "" (again equal emphasis) and one hundred years ago "Chatham" was "" (equal emphasis both syllables. Indeed some of the oldtimers in Chatham still pronounce it that way. 06-12-2011, 06:26 PM CaseyB Location: Massachusetts & Hilton Head, SC 8,248 posts, read 12,444,868 times Reputation: 6621 Quote: Finocchio Originally Posted by Moderator or not I'll take my chances.



You're entirely mistaken.



My 10th great grandfather was one of the founding fathers in the 17th century. The name was brought intact with the "RAIN HAM" pronunciation from England. You're mispronouncing it. If my grandfather (who was born there) could here this preposterous pronunciation he'd spin in his grave.



If you say "Rain' um" as you say you do, by necessity you must say;



"FRAMING' um" not "Framing ham" (as you undoubtedly do) giving it equal emphasis both syllables. I don't think you can out Yankee me. 06-12-2011, 08:41 PM lrfox Location: East Boston, MA 9,283 posts, read 17,324,582 times Reputation: 10925 Accents, pronunciations and local quirks evolve over time. I certainly respect your grandfather, but it's "Ray-NUM" to me as well. We can wage war on pronunciations nationwide, or accept that they are what they are (until, of course, they evolve some more). I choose accepting. You're logic is correct, but it's not going to change anything. I'll take the elevator instead of the lift. I'll drive a truck instead of a lori. I use the bathroom instead of the loo or WC. Many things have evolved since our ancestors arrived from England, and among those things are many pronunciations. Correct or not, it's "Ray-NUM" now. Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.



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