"pellow' and "melk"

[David Bowie]

Paul Johnston <paul.johnston at WMICH.EDU>

> Pellow and melk are also common both in Cleveland, OH and in Kalamazoo, MI.
> I always thought it patterned with the Northern Cities Vowel Shift, but from
> the other postings, it seems to be a true Midwestern feature, going way into
> the Plains and in North Midland as well as Northern areas.  I've been told
> some parts of E WI lack it.

Well beyond a Midwestern feature--melk and pellow are found along the
Wasatch Front of Utah, as well.

FWIW, i (b. 1970, grew up in Maryland south of DC) consistently say milk
and pillow, but my wife (b. 1971, grew up Maryland north of Baltimore)
nearly consistently says melk, but i've never heard her pronounce it
pellow. A syllabification thing, perhaps?

<snip>

--
David Bowie                               University of Central Florida
     Jeanne's Two Laws of Chocolate: If there is no chocolate in the
     house, there is too little; some must be purchased. If there is
     chocolate in the house, there is too much; it must be consumed.

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