For our British and Australian members

[DreamTime]

This is just a little bizarre bet I have with Richard. I told him how I had a friend from England, who, when she says the alphabet, instead of saying "z" she says "zed." She said that is how they say it over there. Richard thinks I am lying or she is nuts because he feels that if it is said that way, then why aren't the other letters said with words. I told him that I didn't know the reason, that I just know what she told me.

Can any of our members clear the air here and tell us the reason why "z" is pronounced "zed?"

[Golden Winged SnakeOiLion]

I thought that was the reason why you threw all that tea overboard in Boston. ;)

[marting]

I'm English and it is "Zed".

[Mercy Now]

Goldenwinged SnakeOiLion , Are you were referring to all that putrid regected garbage from the monarchy that was also heavily taxed without the colonists having any say as to their own governing? Much like today with all  the hidden influences?:P Gives a whole knew view of the Beatles British Invasion doesn't it ? Especially considering they,the Beatles, were scheduled to make their first television appearance in the US on Nov. 22 1963 but was postponed due to some tragic event. 

  Canadians also use 'zed" as well as Kiwi's. I think America is the only English speaking  country that uses "zee."  This occured in the 18th century as evidenced  by Noah Webster American Dictionary Of The English Language (1828).
 

 A curious little note is that in the mid 1700's  the letter "z" was also referred to as "izzard" or "uzzard".This carried on in some pockets of the US  into the 20th century.

[Golden Winged SnakeOiLion]

[user=61]Mercy Now[/user] wrote:

Goldenwinged SnakeOiLion , Are you were referring to all that putrid regected garbage from the monarchy that was also heavily taxed without the colonists having any say as to their own governing? Much like today with all  the hidden influences?:P 

How unthankful! ;) At least you got garbage. The Chinese got only inhumane drugs from their British free trade explorer friends! ;)

But you are right, looks like they are going to start over that old game again. :(

In school we learned it to be "zed", despite that I grew up in the former american zone.

[DreamTime]

Thanks everyone. You are too funny MN and Snakeoil!

See Richard! I told you so!

[Astrojewels]

Yep its zed over here too! I have to say though; I have always liked the US grammar and pronunciation of words. Like we have a ‘u’ in colour/color, and we spell grey with an ‘e’, some of our words really are stupid!

[DreamTime]

I spell grey with an 'e' also because I like the way it looks better than with an 'a'.

[Astrojewels]

Interesting DT, any other words you use from the English form of grammar?

[DreamTime]

Umm...yes, I know I do but now that you ask me outright, they have just slipped my mind. When I think of them I will tell you. I don't know why, but some things just seem more 'proper' than the way it is out here and I like the way it sounds.

You know, thinking about it now, I find that I have 'picked up' many different ways of speaking from all the different places I have lived and from all the people I have known. It just sort of seeps into me and before I know it, it is part of my regular speech. Is that strange or what?