Pronounciation of Lewes

[WesternLancer]

I've never heard of anyone saying it any way other than like "Lewis" although obviously accent does come into play.

any of them relatively local to Lewes / Sussex tho?

 

[Krokodil]

Next test - “Godalming”

"God All Moaning"

 

[jon0844]

"God All Moaning"

'Allo 'Allo!...

 

[contrex]

I don't really understand why the people who live somewhere are automatically entitled to dictate to everyone else how to pronounce the name of that place. Plenty of places have no single 'correct' pronunciation.

 

[WesternLancer]

I don't really understand why the people who live somewhere are automatically entitled to dictate to everyone else how to pronounce the name of that place. Plenty of places have no single 'correct' pronunciation.

they aren't - but it can be handy if people who live somewhere can help people correctly pronounce it, after all most people do want to be able to say place names correctly - and eg when asking for directions to said place for example - less critical now many people carry digital maps on them of course

but not so long ago I was perplexed by someone asking for directions to a street I'd never heard of in my own town - when they tried a few times (not a UK native) I realised it was a street I knew well and helped them on their way - and told them how to pronounce it in case they needed to ask anyone else.

 

[contrex]

they aren't - but it can be handy if people who live somewhere can help people correctly pronounce it

I am reminded of the possibly apocryphal tale of the American tourist wanting (why?) to go to 'Loogabarooga'. My father (who was born in Castle Donington and went to Loughborough Grammar School) said it the East Midlands way, but I say it like a southern jessie. My grandfather, originally a Geordie, worked at Messenger's in Loughborough for over 40 years and said it another way.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I am reminded of the possibly apocryphal tale of the American tourist wanting (why?) to go to 'Loogabarooga'. My father (who was born in Castle Donington and went to Loughborough Grammar School) said it the East Midlands way, but I say it like a southern jessie. My grandfather, originally a Geordie, worked at Messenger's in Loughborough for over 40 years and said it another way.

As a teenager I remember being on a London bus and an American couple sat next to me. They were going to Paddington in order to get a train. The chap turned to me and said “say, is it Reading [as in a book] or Reading [as in Otis]?”

 

[WesternLancer]

I am reminded of the possibly apocryphal tale of the American tourist wanting (why?) to go to 'Loogabarooga'.

Pretty sure they were Australian when I last heard the story
But it's a good one!

 

[Brightonboy]

As somebody who also grew up very much just outside Lewes, I wouldn't say she's pronouncing it wrong, more just an accent thing. She's perhaps slightly overstressing the second syllable, rather than mispronouncing it, IMO.

Although the original pronunciation might well have changed with more people moving into Sussex from other areas and the prevalence of the Isle of Lewis, Lewisham, and the man's name Lewis as reference points.

I would naturally pronounce the second syllable about halfway between 'ess' and 'iss', if I think about it.

I grew up in Brighton close to the Lewes Road and I'd go along with your suggested pronunciation.....

 

[johntea]

I'm Northern if it makes a difference and my first instinct would always be 'Loos' too for some reason!

 

[Strat-tastic]

I am reminded of the possibly apocryphal tale of the American tourist wanting (why?) to go to 'Loogabarooga'. My father (who was born in Castle Donington and went to Loughborough Grammar School) said it the East Midlands way, but I say it like a southern jessie. My grandfather, originally a Geordie, worked at Messenger's in Loughborough for over 40 years and said it another way.

Thanks to Dave Gorman I now call it Lowbrow

 

[contrex]

I'm Northern if it makes a difference and my first instinct would always be 'Loos' too for some reason

What about saying it like the surname of Rodney Bewes? ('Byooz' as I recall). The straight man in 'The Likely Lads'.

 

[Fenchurch SP]

I believe the last syllable of Ardingly (as in the Junction) is pronounced as "lie", like Leigh station near Tonbridge.

 

[PeterC]

In influx of incomers can change a pronunciation. Chesham is invariably pronounced Chesh'm these days rather than the Chess'm used in the 50s.

 

[Dave61]

I'm Northern if it makes a difference and my first instinct would always be 'Loos' too for some reason!

I'm north of the Watford Gap , so also considered a northerner and my instict when passing through on the excursion the other week was for the 'Loos" as well

 

[Trackman]

In influx of incomers can change a pronunciation. Chesham is invariably pronounced Chesh'm these days rather than the Chess'm used in the 50s.

This is what is happening in Holburn (Hoburn) due to the influx of incomers

 

[contrex]

I believe the last syllable of Ardingly (as in the Junction) is pronounced as "lie", like Leigh station near Tonbridge.

So I understand. However, if anyone had the temerity to correct me, I'd deliberately say it wrong in their presence for ever more. I wouldn't (genuinely) be able to help it.

 

[SECR 65]

I have grown up near Lewes, and until recently had only ever heard (as another member put it well) halfway between LEW-is and LEW-es. I think I say it more towards the former than the latter.

The other day I was speaking to a lady from south London. She pronounced it "Loos". I had never really though about it before. As I live in a rural area in East Sussex, everyone has always said it 'right'. So it was interesting to be enlightened to the fact that, actually, it isn't said how one might expect it to be.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I have grown up near Lewes, and until recently had only ever heard (as another member put it well) halfway between LEW-is and LEW-es. I think I say it more towards the former than the latter.

The other day I was speaking to a lady from south London. She pronounced it "Loos". I had never really though about it before. As I live in a rural area in East Sussex, everyone has always said it 'right'. So it was interesting to be enlightened to the fact that, actually, it isn't said how one might expect it to be.

Quite! However you pronounce 'Lewes', it's two syllables, not one!

 

[WesternLancer]

Quite! However you pronounce 'Lewes', it's two syllables, not one!

Loo-iz (?)

 

[Kubes]

And once you've learned to pronounce Lewes correctly they'll catch you out with Malling, Offham and any number of other areas in the locality!!!

 

[SECR 65]

And once you've learned to pronounce Lewes correctly they'll catch you out with Malling, Offham and any number of other areas in the locality!!!

Is there actually a correct answer to Offham? I say it sort of half way between OH-fum and OH-fam. Lots of people say it OFF-am. Is one or other right or will it forever be a mystery?

Horsted Keynes is another one nearby. I understand that "Kanes" is the accepted and correct pronounciation. I would say 90% of Bluebell Railway volunteers and 'regulars' say it like so. Generally 'visitors' will go for "Key-nes".

 

[Kubes]

Yes I think you are correct. I was told it was Oh-fm ie Oh-fum but the "u" is hardly pronounced.

 

[Brightonboy]

Is there actually a correct answer to Offham? I say it sort of half way between OH-fum and OH-fam. Lots of people say it OFF-am. Is one or other right or will it forever be a mystery?

Horsted Keynes is another one nearby. I understand that "Kanes" is the accepted and correct pronounciation. I would say 90% of Bluebell Railway volunteers and 'regulars' say it like so. Generally 'visitors' will go for "Key-nes".

Coming from Brighton with Sussex ancestry, it was always Kanes to me

 

[zwk500]

Is there actually a correct answer to Offham? I say it sort of half way between OH-fum and OH-fam. Lots of people say it OFF-am. Is one or other right or will it forever be a mystery?

Horsted Keynes is another one nearby. I understand that "Kanes" is the accepted and correct pronounciation. I would say 90% of Bluebell Railway volunteers and 'regulars' say it like so. Generally 'visitors' will go for "Key-nes".

Coming from Brighton with Sussex ancestry, it was always Kanes to me

Horsted Keynes shares the same reason as Milton Keynes for it's name (the Keynes family, descended from the de Cahaignes Norman Lords who arrived with the Conquest). Interesting, Milton Keynes is regularly pronounced 'Keenz', whereas Horsted Keynes and the famous economist John Maynard Keynes are normally pronounced 'Kainz' although I have heard all 3 pronounced both ways.

And once you've learned to pronounce Lewes correctly they'll catch you out with Malling, Offham and any number of other areas in the locality!!!

To be fair the 'a' in Malling is now essentially interchangeable between 'apple' and 'all'. Offham I was always told was OAF-hm (the h not voiced), but these things do always change over time.

Loo-iz (?)

first syllable definitely 'LOO', the second syllable is extremely hard to notate! Here's a BBC South East today report on the derailment with both female presenters using the normal pronunciation a couple of times:

 

[doiheart]

I am not from Lewes but an old friend is and he and his Lewesian honorary aunt have always said Lewis (like loo not lyoo but only Inspector Morse says that anyway)

However they also told me that the traditional pronunciation should be Looz and that it's connected to the river Ouse that runs between Lewes and Cliffe.

Wikipedia disputes this etymology...

Next episode: Shrewsbury