Pronouncing "Massachusetts"

[Joel S. Berson]

At 8/3/2007 12:21 PM, Lon L. wrote:
>It is all very curious to me, unless one posits that a desire for
>simple, ribald paranomasia lies behind such occurrences.

Perhaps.  (I'd love to see the 4-syllable charade (whether Massa -
choo - shits or Mass -achoo - shits).  I'm reminded of the ancient
question, "What three towns in Massachusetts are named after former governors?"

Answer:  Peabody, Marblehead, and (vide "Olive, the other reindeer" ) Athol.

Joel

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