[sgfludd]

If Greenwich - is "gren - itch"
does that make Norwich "nor - itch"

Silent w's all around?

[mels]

Norwich is pronounced like it is spelled, Nor-witch.

[skytrekker]

Greenwich has a silent W

[jeremeyk482]

You will surely drive through Mamaroneck in Westchester County. It's "Muh-mare-uh-nick" not "Mamo-ran-ack" which is how I hear many out of towners pronounce it.

[sgfludd]

Okay now - that's not fair. How am I supposed to know when to envoke the silent w rule? LOLOL

[skytrekker]

A bit off topic

but some added information about your new home in CT
we have many fine wineries here- some in the western part of the state and some in the eastern. They for the most part produce excellent wine- and have restaurants, gardens and tastings. Many have a European type of architecture that is very pleasant. They make a great day trip while hopping about in the highlands of both eastern and western CT.

Sharpe Hil Winery/Vineyards in Pomfret (eastern CT) is really a great place to visit in the late summer and autumn- the so called 'Quiet Corner' of eastern CT is much more New England tradition' then western CT that has a bit more of a New York influence.

Eastern CT has among its residents (Harrison Ford and Girlfriend Callista Lockhart) An 'estate' in Pomfret
John Travolta has a home in Windham, and 'Monkee' Peter Tork in Mansfield-
We do not have as many celebs as in western CT-like Meryl Streep (near Litchfield) and others - but the eastern part of the state is being discovered.
In Brooklyn CT- the 'Golden Lamb Buttery' is A famous restaurant and has hosted Presidents, sports stars, movie idols and more (reservations only)

[sgfludd]

Thanks! I'm counting the days until I can explore every nook and cranny of CT.

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by jeremeyk482

You will surely drive through Mamaroneck in Westchester County. It's "Muh-mare-uh-nick" not "Mamo-ran-ack" which is how I hear many out of towners pronounce it.

The first is right. I used to work for FIDCO which was headquartered out of White Plains. One of our marketing people was from Mamaroneck (hi Rita M.!). Whenever I drive along I-287 with friends from Connecticut, I always laugh at Mama-rah-nick! I instantly think of my friends from Lake Ronkonkoma who suffer a similar fate!

[s4yal]

Norwich in England is pronounced as "nor-itch" (silent w). Whereas the city's namesake here in Connecticut is usually pronounced as "nor-witch".

[Slipperman]

i think it's possible that Greenwich's silent w pronunciation derived from the fact that saying Green-witch (or Gren-witch) doesn't exactly roll of the tongue whereas Nor-witch is much easier to say. we tend to get lazy as a society when it comes to proper pronunciation. if it's easier to pronounce something a particular way regardless of it's spelling, that's what we'll do. i think years ago, that's what happened with Greenwich and it just stuck.
of course not being an historian, i could be totally wrong.