silent letters (was broadcasters)

[sagehen]

 Bob Haas  writes:
>Not for Popeye.  Has anyone out there ever encountered anyone who pronounces
>"iron" with two syllables like the cartoon character?

Has anyone NOT heard AI @RN  ('eye-ern)?  I've heard this pronunciation all
my life, and use it myself.  I've lived in the Pac NW, West Coast, Midwest
& Northeast.
The New Century Dict., Webster's New International,&  OED all give /iron/
two syllables.  (OED leaves out the r sound, of course.)
A.Murie