Lootenant .. Lewtenant .. Leftenant ??

[joboy]

In my Royal Marine days (moons ago) a Lieutenant was pronounced 'Leftenant'.
I appreciate that our American cousins pronounce it 'Lootenant' and I notice that here in OZ there is no specific pronunciation at least in the 'spoken media' ... where it can be either.
Is there a 'softening' of the title in Britain now?
joboy

[RJ_Paton]

Not a softening .... more a corruption of the language by the influence of american films/television.

This could be put down to ignorance or the laziness of those not prepared to use the correct pronunciation or who were never taught the correct usage.

[Little Nell]

I know we always pronounce it "leftenant" but why?    It is made up of two French words and in this instance the American pronunciation is closer to the pronunciation of those two words:
lieu meaning place
tenant meaning holding

Any ideas, folks?

Nell

[RJ_Paton]

The British pronunciation is prevalent during 14th and 15th centuries with the word being variously spelled as lieftenant, lyeftenant or luftenant. It may have originated from a mistaken reading of the 'u' as a 'v', lev-tenant eventually becoming lef-tenant. Some sources state that the original French word lieu had an alternative form spelt and pronounced lieuf, and that the modern British English form retains the former spelling and the latter pronunciation.

It has also been speculated that it may have come from a fanciful etymology which associated it with the verb 'to leave', as the lieutenant only took up his duties once his superior officer had 'left'.

from http://encyclopedia.lockergnome.com/s/b/Lieutenant

[mickgall]

the americans always salute when in the field and when not wearing headdress.............nuff said
Mick

[Little Nell]

Thanks, Falkryn.

Nell

[joboy]

This is SPOOKY!! .......... I initiated this subject yesterday Sydney time and today (Sunday) in the Sun Herald newspaper there is a little editorial in the 'Fitz Files' which talks about 'language down the SOOER' and even refers to 'Lootenants, Leftenants and Luhtenants' .......... ESP !! .......... I wonder??
joboy

[cotdeps]

The Royal Air Force have Flight "LEFTenants"
I believe the Army are the same, but the Royal Navy have "LOOtenants"
Last time I checked!!
Cotdeps

[RuthieB]

OOOOh no!!!!! I was a Naval Reservist and we always said Leftenant
RuthieB