Press J to jump to the feed. In Australia, Queensland's first police force (founded 1864) had second lieutenants and lieutenants between the ranks of sergeant and inspector-general. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The lower ranked soldier on the left protected the senior officers left side. . :) Mike, Washington DC, US, To read the more informative answers (including ahypothesis offered by Sean from Colorado that in British slang, of which he observes there is a great deal, the word loo refers to a toilet, and therefore he assumesthat they do not want to give the impression that a leftenant is a resident of a toilet, as in loo-tenant), read the full piece at The Guardians website . In countries that do not speak English, the rank title usually translates as "lieutenant", but may also translate as "first lieutenant" or "senior lieutenant". The rank insignia of LTA is two pips.[99]. No response from any American on this page has earned such a bitter rebuke. Colonel has no "R", although it's pronounced with one, and lieutenant has what seems to be a random "I" in it. What Does Crossing The Burning Sands Mean? In Portugal, sub-lieutenant is the rank of a junior naval officer graduated from a civil university or promoted from a NCO rank, while the equivalent rank of an officer graduated in the naval academy is designated midshipman. When asked what hes looking for inland, he said Dar be treasure. I always suspected--and I have never seen anything to back this up--that this pronunciation was adopted because "lootenant", as the Americans pronounce it, sounds like "Loo-tenant," i.e., "individual occupying the loo (toilet)." Who sings the song in the new Facebook commercial. Do all humans on this planet belong to the same species? In the US however, the word is pronounced as Lew-tenant, much to British distaste. The title of Third Lieutenant, essentially equal to the rank of ensign, existed until 1915 when the Service became the nucleus of the new United States Coast Guard. In March 1813, the US Army created the rank of third lieutenant. In the United States, a governor serves as the chief executive officer and commander-in-chief in each of the fifty states and in the five permanently inhabited territories, functioning as both head of state and head of government therein. Furthermore, Why do Brits pronounce Derby as Darby? This courtesy developed when swords were still used on the battle field. In the 19th century, British writers who considered this word either an imposition on the English language, or difficult for common soldiers and sailors, argued for it to be replaced by the calque "steadholder". "Lootenant". Why do Brits pronounce lieutenant as leftenant? - Profound-Advice . Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Why do Brits pronounce lieutenant leftenant? Its an achaic spelling in English, but not in French. 38 Sponsored by Forbes Advisor Are You Prepared for Your Pet Health Emergencies? It is roughly equivalent to an inspector in the British and Canadian police forces. The lower ranked soldier on the left protected the senior officers left side. 4 : a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant junior grade. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Press J to jump to the feed. Learn how to pronounce "lieutenant" in British English and American English. Why do Canadians pronounce 'Lieutenant' as 'Leftenant,' and - Quora The Oxford English Dictionary states the pronunciation is "difficult to explain ," but suggests the old French word originally had a "w" sound at the end of the first syllable, and that eventually got confused with an "f" or a "v" and created the British way of saying the word. Because the word clerk was pronounced with (r) rather than (r) in the south of England, the vowels in the word did not become (r). Why do Americans pronounce lieutenant differently? Edmund Duncan is an education expert and thought leader in the field of learning. These were typically newly commissioned officers for which no authorized second lieutenant position existed. This is not recognised as current by recent editions of the OED (although the RN pronunciation was included in editions of OED up until the 1970s). Is leftenant and lieutenant the same? [98] The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (founded 1871) had the rank of lieutenant between staff sergeant and inspector until 1997. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". How do I enable in-stream ads on Facebook? The word arrived in English from French in 1375 and within 100 years the English were pronouncing it left-tenant as if there were a right-tenant as well. Privacy Policy. Thank the British for our language and New York, else we would be speaking Dutch in New Amsterdam (or however the Dutch spell it). Mat, Parma U.S. I dont really know but I love the way the British pronounce certain words, such as schedule, it sounds so much more proper. Nanette Y. Mitchell, Fredericksburg, US, P.S. In the U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard the billet of first lieutenant describes the officer in charge of the deck department or division, depending upon the size of the ship. Why do British pronounce lieutenant as leftenant? By far the most logical, understandable and concise answer Ive ever seen thank you. Why do British people pronounce lieutenant as 'lef-tenant'? Privacy Policy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. La Reynie was the deputy for policing duties of the Provost of Paris, the ceremonial representative of the King in Paris. A number of city and burgh police forces in Scotland used the rank of lieutenant (and detective lieutenant) between inspector and superintendent from 1812 to 1948. The Oxford Dictionary suggests that it might be because at some point, the "u" in the French word "lieu" was pronounced as a "v" (which was not uncommon in French given the derivation from the Latin "v" for many "u"s). It's just dialect. Impress with clear, precise, and stylistically flawless writing instead. I know there are certain individuals who think c r a p is a swear word (even though it really isnt), but frick isnt a swear word by any sense of the meaning of swear word. This courtesy developed when swords were still used on the battle field. The emergence of the pronunciation /ref/ seems clearly connected with the Great Vowel Shift, since it is around this time that people in Southern and Central England start interchangeably spelling their names both Ralph and Rafe. Second lieutenant is usually the most junior grade of commissioned officer. I don't really care about the actual reason anymore, i'm going to remember this one . Why do Brits pronounce lieutenant as leftenant? - Kyoto2.org Why do British people pronounce lieutenant wrong? and our Political uses include lieutenant governor in various governments, such as the viceregal representatives of the Crown in Canadian provinces. Us for me is common in the north east (of England) particularly Co Durham Land of Prince Bishops. What money is available for senior citizens? This gave rise to the Old French zede, which resulted in the English zed around the 15th century. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Before 1999 the Royal Marines enjoyed the same rank structure as the army, but at a grade higher; thus a Royal Marine captain ranked with and was paid the same as a British Army major. Why do British pronounce lieutenant as leftenant? How do you spell luitenent? lieutenant colonel, lieutenant general, lieutenant commander, flight lieutenant, second lieutenant and many non-English language examples), in both the Old and the New World. It became Wednesdei and the d remained, even as the word morphed into Wednesday.. The rank of Lieutenant was formerly used in areas outside of the Metropolitan Police. 2 Is there a difference between lieutenant and leftenant? Such is the case with the word lieutenant. I do know the English changed pronunciation and spelling of several words after the revolutionary war. Compare the best options for 2023. Col., Col, COL can all serve as abbreviations for colonel. Lieutenants were commonly put in command of smaller vessels not warranting a commander or captain: such a lieutenant was called a "lieutenant commanding" or "lieutenant commandant" in the United States Navy, and a "lieutenant in command" or "lieutenant and commander" in the Royal Navy. Not only do many English words contain silent letters, but there are also several rules and patterns that have numerous exceptions. In most English-speaking and Arabic-speaking countries, as well as a number of European and South American nations, full lieutenants (and equivalents) usually wear two stars (pips) and second lieutenants (and equivalents) one. Historically, the "lieutenant" was the deputy to a "captain", and as the rank structure of armies began to formalise, this came to mean that a captain commanded a company and had several lieutenants, each commanding a platoon. 2 : first lieutenant. Why is lieutenant pronounced "left-tenant'? : r/AustralianMilitary 18 3 How do Brits pronounce it? When your question is answered, we encourage you to flair your post. A single silver or subdued pip is used to designate this rank. I've noticed in older texts and interviews with older British people they have a tendency to use "shall" and "should" when a younger speaker would use "will" and "would." Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For example, a "lieutenant master" is likely to be second-in-command to the "master" in an organisation using both ranks. The English spelling also changed, and the pronunciation was shortened to two syllables. In the Royal Navy, the commissioned rank of mate was created in 1840, and was renamed sub-lieutenant in 1860. You might want to rule the world from Washington but its still English. Some sources claim that 'lieutenant' had alternative spellings such as leftenant, leftenaunt, lieftenant, lieftenaunt etc., and that the ModE pronunciation with /f/ (BrE mostly) is a holdover from those spellings. It often designates someone who is "second-in-command", and as such, may precede the name of the rank directly above it. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Therefore, the term leftenant developed. Why exactly do the British say lieutenant as 'leftenant'? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Why is lieutenant pronounced leftenant? - Answers No one can really say why in the British Army the word is pronounced left-tenant but its notable that in the Royal Navy the pronunciation seems half way across the ocean. Home University Of New Hampshire Why Do The British Say Leftenant? Lieu means place and tenant means holding. [2] This courtesy developed when swords were still used on the battle field. What Is The Hottest Month In New Hampshire? How is Lieutenant pronounced in Canada? How about left-renter? Although lieutenants are no longer numbered by seniority, the post of "first lieutenant" remains. In the United Kingdom, a lord lieutenant is the sovereign's representative in a county or lieutenancy area, while a deputy lieutenant is one of the lord lieutenant's deputies. These are surely not the only words that aren't spelled the way they're pronounced. A few of them are: Its understandable why these words cause so much confusion. Is Taco Bell healthier than other fast food? On submarines and smaller Coast Guard cutters the billet of first lieutenant may be filled by a petty officer. If you see any comments that violate this rule, please hit report. Why do the British say Zed? While some air forces use the army rank system, the British Royal Air Force and many other Commonwealth air forces use another rank system in which flight lieutenant ranks with an army captain and naval lieutenant, a flying officer ranks with an army lieutenant and a pilot officer with an army second lieutenant. According to military customs, a lower ranking soldier walks on the left side of a senior officer. Its believed that at some time before the 19th century, the British read and pronounced the U at the end of lieu as a V and the V later became an F. Why is the French word lieutenant pronounced leggy instead of lieutenant? Lieutenant literally means place-holding, or the one who is left in place of the true authority; thus, the one who is left tenant (holding) the authority. Have some class. William Franklin, Brighton, UK. During the early days of the naval rank, a lieutenant might be very junior indeed, or might be on the cusp of promotion to captain; by modern standards, he might rank with any army rank between second lieutenant and lieutenant colonel. This comes from Queen Victorias husband, Prince Albert. This courtesy developed when swords were still used on the battle field. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The pronunciation of zebra in English varies between British English and American English. The British rank is "lieutenant" and is spelled the same as. There's no need to delve into etymythology to try and fail to figure out the why. An example of an exception is the United States, whose armed forces distinguish their lieutenant ranks with a silver bar for first lieutenant and brass bar for second lieutenant. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often subdivided into senior (first lieutenant) and junior (second lieutenant and even third lieutenant) ranks. "The Brits are weird" jon, cambria, United . What School Is Called The Harvard Of The West? The insignia of an additional half-thickness stripe between the two full stripes of a lieutenant was introduced in 1877 for a Royal Navy lieutenant of 8 years seniority, and used for lieutenant commanders upon introduction of their rank.[93]. In the case of lieutenant even the English themselves dont agree. Notice words like March (Marche) to walk), Salute (Salut)greeting), beret, reveille (to get up), soldier, morale just for starters are all French words that are used daily in the military. Pronunciation of lieutenant as / lftnnt / ( listen) lef-TEN-nt is generally associated with the armies of British Commonwealth countries and the Republic of Ireland, while / lutnnt / ( listen) loo-TEN-nt is generally associated with the United States military. That's why it's a good idea to use LanguageTool as a writing assistant. the British pronunciation of the word. Why do Brits pronounce Lieutenant as leftenant? in lieu of); and tenant meaning "holding" as in "holding a position"; thus a "lieutenant" is a placeholder for a superior, during their absence (compare the Latin locum tenens). The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland performed the function of viceroy in Ireland. Why do the English say leftenant instead of lieutenant? - Wise-Answer Please remember that all comments must be helpful, relevant, and respectful. Leftenant is the U.K. and Commonwealth . Its thought that zee was last used in England during the late 17th century; however, usage is difficult to trace, because pronunciations for letters were not often written down. Aluminum = The British pronunciation is a tongue twister. Why exactly do the British say lieutenant as 'leftenant'? Above him in those U.S. services comes a first lieutenantlieutenant in the British Armyand then a captain. 94-84", "i gradi dell'Esercito Italiano - distintivi di incarico e funzionali", " , ", " , ", "LOI N 96-029 portant Statut Gnral des Militaires", "2011 - Plaquette sur les insignes et blasons des Forces Armes du Mali", "Manual grfico para el uso de Uniformes, Divisas y Equipo del Ejrcito y F.A.M. The British pronunciation of the French word "lieutenant" (as "lef-tenant") is the official pronunciation as used by the Canadian Armed Forces, but the American pronunciation of "loo-tenant" (which is closer to the original French pronunciation) is sometimes heard outside of the military. John is sometimes pronounced as [SIN-jin] or [SIN-jun] in the UK. According to military customs, a lower ranking soldier walks on the left side of a senior officer. Something may be bloody marvellous or bloody awful. Some parts of the British Army, including the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and fusilier regiments, used first lieutenant as well as second lieutenant until the end of the 19th century, and some British Army regiments still preserve cornet as an official alternative to second lieutenant. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Lieutenant (Maldivian Marine Corps)[90]. why is lieutenant pronounced leftenantrobert downey jr house malibu. Why do we say O instead of zero? To the man referencing Websters English dictionary, do yourself a favor and pick up an Oxford English Dictionary. The lower ranked soldier on the "left" protected the senior officers left side. Why do Americans pronounce lieutenant differently? Glossophilia..just love its diversity and humour ! By the mid-17th century, the spelling and French pronunciation had changed to colonnel. According to military customs, a lower ranking soldier walks on the left side of a senior officer. Good luck, This one is amazing. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. ", "tat des Lieux: Formation des forces de dfense et de scurit sur les droit de l'enfant au Niger", "Pakistan Army Ranks with Salary and Insignia", " 11 2010 293 " , ", "Gradabzeichen und Farben der Achselschlaufen", " ", "Journal officiel de la rpublique togolaise", "Tonga Defence Services (Amendment) Regulations 2009", "TRKMENISTANY KANUNY Harby borlulyk we harby gulluk hakynda (Trkmenistany Mejlisini Maglumatlary 2010 ., 3, 58-nji madda) (Trkmenistany 01.10.2011 .

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why is lieutenant pronounced leftenant

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