Londoners- how do you pronounce "quay"?
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks. I guess I could have just looked it up on wikipedia:
>>A quay, pronounced 'key', is a wharf or bank where ships and other vessels are loaded. A quay may be constructed parallel or perpendicular to the bank of a waterway. The word is commonly used in United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and in some of the former British colonies<<
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quay
English is so weird.
>>A quay, pronounced 'key', is a wharf or bank where ships and other vessels are loaded. A quay may be constructed parallel or perpendicular to the bank of a waterway. The word is commonly used in United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and in some of the former British colonies<<
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quay
English is so weird.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,332
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's always been "key" for me, but in the song "The Star of the County Down" it's pronounced Cay (to rhyme with Bantry Bay), so there are variations in these islands.
I live near West India Quay (and various other local quays) and I occasionally hear people pronouncing it Kway - but perhaps they've only heard of the pop singer a few years ago called Finlay Quaye (to set off at a wild tangent).
I live near West India Quay (and various other local quays) and I occasionally hear people pronouncing it Kway - but perhaps they've only heard of the pop singer a few years ago called Finlay Quaye (to set off at a wild tangent).
#10
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No - in the US Quay isn't common usage - and no one would suspect it would be pronounced "key". Just like most people say Green-which and Glou-cest-er. (People from the NE usually use the British pronunciations.) But lots of times I hear tourits asking for Green-which Village - instead of Gren-itch.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 10,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a theory, that I believe is all mine.
OK....No one really knows where it comes from.
My theory: French: "Au Quai"
"Is the boat fine?"
"Yes it is au quai (ok)"
"Has the shipment arrived?"
"Yes it is all au quai (ok)"
OK....No one really knows where it comes from.
My theory: French: "Au Quai"
"Is the boat fine?"
"Yes it is au quai (ok)"
"Has the shipment arrived?"
"Yes it is all au quai (ok)"
#20
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Buoy - we say boy, Americans and Canadians(?) sound the u, making it bu-ie."
hetismij, this Canadian says "boy", but the fellows I have sailed with in Nova Scotia all say "boo-ee". Not sure what other Can-a-juns say.
Anselm
hetismij, this Canadian says "boy", but the fellows I have sailed with in Nova Scotia all say "boo-ee". Not sure what other Can-a-juns say.
Anselm