[Groop]To AIR or to ER?

[Grossmann, Gary]

OK Folks, here's the full text from Eric's dictionsry web site and I think
it conclusively proves that "Air" is the correct pronounciation of "Err"

"Usage Note: The pronunciation (ūr) for the word err is traditional, but the
pronunciation (r) has gained ground in recent years, perhaps owing to
influence from errant and error, and must now be regarded as an acceptable
variant. The Usage Panel was split on the matter: 56 percent preferred (ūr),
34 percent preferred (r), and 10 percent accepted both pronunciations."
[Gary G. note: part of the symbol they use to denote the "air"
pronounciation woukldn't print.]

Apparently 56% of the panel never read Groo.  But notice they attribute the
rise of "air" to "influence from errant and error."  Obviously, they are
talking about Groo in a somewhat vailed manner.  And "air" is now "an
acceptable variant."  That's got to be about Groo!      

So it's all perfectly clear to me. -Gary "To 'Air' is Human" Grossmann    

PS  Mark wrote it, so his pronounciation of "Did I Err?" is definitive.

PPS  Everytime I see the word "Usage", I think of Usagi Yojimbo.   


>-----Original Message-----
>From: Larry Steller [mailto:mrgrooism@yahoo.com]
>Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 12:10 PM
>To: Groop
>Subject: Re: [Groop]Did I Err?
>
>> Both pronunciations are correct!  56% prefer the 1st
>> pronunciation, 34% prefer the 2nd pronunciation, and
>> 10% have no preference.
> 
>
>BAH! Stupid 56%!!!
>
>Okay, let's all say it together, pronouncing it
>however you prefer: DID I ERR???
>
>Didn't realize both pronunciations were acceptable (my
>own dictionery backs up the online one). I always
>associated the first (rrrrr!) with vocal stumbling, as
>in "uh, err, um..." and err (as in air) being the root
>of error...
>
>Somehow, it sounds FUNNIER to me saying AIR over RRRR.
>What's everyone else's opinion? What does The Groop prefer?
>
>-Larry "Mr. Grooism" Steller