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One of many possible reasons, it seems to me, is that (poo.TEEN) is the
pronunciation of "poutine" (Cdn.Fr.) which, according to the Oxford Canadian,
means "a dish of french fries topped with cheese curds and a sauce, usu.
gravy." There is also the English speaker's tendency to retract stresses
to the first syllables of words. Of course, I am being facetious, if you
will forgive an old fart.
<p>RonButters@AOL.COM wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE>Why do American TV announcers pronounce the name
of the Russian leader
<br>POOT-uhn (which sounds like a kind of euphemism for farting) instead
of
<br>poo-TEEN (which is surely closer to the way that the Russians say it,
and in
<br>any case hasn't the weird connotations)?</blockquote>
<center> <font size=-1>THOMAS M. PAIKEDAY, lexicographer since 1964</font>
<br><font size=-1> Latest work: "The User's™ Webster," Lexicography,
Inc., 2000</font>
<br><font size=-1>A unique dictionary that shows idiomatic and typical
usage</font>
<br><font size=-1>Trade paperback, 5¼" x 8¼", 1,300 pp.,
$7.99 / Cdn$11.95</font>
<br><font size=-1>ISBN 0-920865-03-8</font>
<br><font size=-1>Order from: utpbooks@utpress.utoronto.ca</font></center>
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