Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

jimk wrote:Interesting that most Americans have no problems pronouncing Capt. Eddy's name as RickenBACKer, but can't seem to agree on how to pronounce the name of the guitar.

JimK

Very true, Jim.


I will admit, sometimes I'm lazy and it comes out as "bocker."

Thought I'd dig this old thread up, since we have some newer members who might not know how the "correct" way to pronounce the name.

Not to mention: Yesterday, my friend Robert from Seattle moves back home after being away for a year. He says to me, "How are those RickenBOCKers?" I said, "Don't you mean RickenBACKer?" He said, "You're pronouncing the name like a hill billy!" I said, "that's how they say it when you call their corporation." Robert said, "John Hall must be saying it wrong in that case".

It's no big deal. Sure, it's annoying. But it's such a small thing, really. I should know since most folks can't pronounce "Krause" correctly, either. The final "e" is not silent. But it sure is a good excuse to hang up on some telemarketer type person! "Nope, nobody here by the name of Kraus."
JimK

jimk wrote:The final "e" is not silent.

Really? How do you pronounce it?

It's "Krou-SAY"

I went to grade school with a Polish kid whose last name was, "Szytz". It's pronounced "Shits" in Polish. His Mom and Dad insisted it be pronounced "Zites". We compromised and called him, "Zits".

What the heck...it was appropriate.

Your surname still gets me all the time Paul! mind you some folks get given real Szyt names.For example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rider_Strong

scotty wrote:Your surname still gets me all the time Paul!

I can't even imagine how many different ways people have probably spelled or pronounced Paul's surname over the years. I bet there's been some real gems.

Most common mispronunciation:

"Wil kow ski"

Huh? I never knew that "czyn" was pronounced "kow".

What was that old Monty Python thing?

"it's spelled, "Raymond Luxury Yacht," but it's pronounced, "Throat Warbler Mangrove".

jingle_jangle wrote:What was that old Monty Python thing? "it's spelled, "Raymond Luxury Yacht," but it's pronounced, "Throat Warbler Mangrove".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehKGlT2EW1Q[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyQvjKqXA0Y[/youtube]

In California I hear my first name mispronounced Karry, Karra, Kurra, Kaira (like the Egyptian city), Kerra, and other imaginative variations of those. It actually rhymes with the Spanish wine, as anyone who grew up in Europe would have guessed. When I lived there I heard it mispronounced not a single time.

jimk wrote:The final "e" is not silent.

Remember, the "P" is silent....as in swimming.

Pronunciations and spellings of last names can be a challenge. Even when they would appear to be easy. I don't know how many times I've had some person on the phone ask me how my last name is spelled. My simple explanation used to be, it's just like it sounds. Castles. But a descriptive explanation worked better, " You know, moat, draw bridge, damsel in distress, that kind of castle, but more than one of them".

Try having a name that is one syllable off from "colon"

Just awesome, thanks parents.

Like I've never heard that in my life, ever.

Plus people adding another "e" to my last name, pronouncing it "WhitE-ley" (like the tone/color). Colon Whiteley......

I should just change my name to Max Power or something.

You'd be surprised how much my last name has customarily been screwed up, especially by the press. Howe, Howell, you name it.

kennyhowes wrote:You'd be surprised how much my last name has customarily been screwed up, especially by the press. Howe, Howell, you name it.

Ooh...oooooh. "The press," he says.

You want some caviar and Cristal, Kenny?