There's this radio commercial I've heard a couple of times now. It's for some airline, talking about how they understand the needs of those traveling to and from the non-existent city of Raleigh-Durham (but the non-existent city of Raleigh-Durham is another rant entirely). What gets my attention every time is the way the voiceover guy is pronouncing Durham. He's saying (as near as I can reproduce it) DEWR-em. Not even DEW-rem, which would be weird enough. But the R is definitely attached to the first syllable. Very strange. It goes without saying that I have never heard anyone pronounce Durham that way. I say DER-um. Actually, if I remember my phonetics (and I probably don't), I think the 2nd vowel sound in my pronunciation is a schwa.
I pronounce it "semolina". :)
luxury yacht?
They say "DOO-rahm" on La Ley ...
Oooh, the "Raleigh-Durham" rant--I've been meaning to do that one for a while now ...
did they say city of raleigh-durham?
because if you're flying, you ARE flying to raleigh-durham... airport.
personally, i prefer the single-syllable "DURM".
OK, you trumped me for obfuscatory.
Luxury yacht?
i also like DURM. i noticed this morning that the AM drive time DJ on CPE (who's British) says DUHR-um
Phil, it's from a Python sketch with a man who's name is Mr. Throat-Warbler-Mangrove but he insists that it's pronounced "Luxury Yacht"