prə-nŭn′sē-ā′ shən
Why is "primer" pronounced like "primmer" when associated with elementary texts, but like "pry-mer" for all other applications of the word? This particular oddity of the English language bothers me immensely. While my ears are less sensitive to it than the use of "off-ten", it seems as pretentious. But why? of·ten (ô′fən, ŏf′ən, ôf′tən, ŏf′-) Many times; frequently. [Middle English, alteration (probably influenced by selden , seldom ), of oft from Old English; see upo in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note : During the 15th century English experienced a widespread lossof certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief , the (p) in consumption and raspberry , and the (t) in chestnut and often . In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, ...