[sdiy] I can't decide....

[Scott Gravenhorst]

I'm not an etymologist, but when a dictionary lists pronunciations, it
lists them in order of preference, preferred first.  Merriam-Webster has
the J version before the G version, so for American English (I have no
other dictionary available), the soft sound in Jigawatt is preferred.

"Czech Martin" <Martin.Czech at Micronas.com> wrote:
>this word stems from ancient greek. We have no .mpg files
>or other recordings, but after all that is know, and from
>the practise os todays greek languagae we can pretty safely assume
>that 
>
>gig-ah is the correct pronounciation and not jig-ah.
>
>
>
>m.c.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>[mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]On Behalf Of Colin f
>Sent: 25 October 2004 11:24
>To: 'diy >> synth diy'
>Subject: RE: [sdiy] I can't decide....
>
>
>> isn't "jig-a-watts" just another pronounciation of "gig-a-watts"?
>
>It isn't 'another' pronunciation, it's the correct pronunciation.
>The prefix comes from gigas, the same root as the word giant comes from,
>which isn't pronounced 'guy-ant' by anyone I know.
>Just about everyone says giga wrong though, which means it has become the
>de-facto pronuncation, and if you say it right, people will 'correct' you.
>As this thread proves. ;-)
>
>Colin f
>
>
>

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