Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Hailing from Texas (and the south in general - having lived in most of the southern states): I say Aunt as in "ant." The white folks I know say that. People of color around here tend to go with Aunt as in "taunt." Hispanic folks tend to go with Tia, which I actually really like.
My husband is Hispanic, and he calls all of his aunts "Tia." The first time I met any of his aunts (Aunt Lupe), he just called her "Tia," not "Tia Lupe." Now I had always called my aunts "Aunt Dorothy" or "Aunt Grace"; I'd never just say, "Hello, Aunt! It's nice to see you." If I were going to drop either the title or the name, I'd have dropped the title and said, "Hello, Dorothy! It's nice to see you." On the way home from meeting his Aunt Lupe, I told him I thought his Aunt Tia was really nice. Tia Tia has been a joke between us ever since.
Aunt (rhyming with 'taunt') seems to be a feature of New England and Virginia/the Tidewater. The latter fact may explain why African-Americans in Northeastern cities tend to use that pronunciation since many migrated up from that region.
The only other area that the 'aunt' pronunciation is common is Minnesota, especially as one moves westwards, and the Dakotas.
Aunt (rhyming with 'taunt') seems to be a feature of New England and Virginia/the Tidewater. The latter fact may explain why African-Americans in Northeastern cities tend to use that pronunciation since many migrated up from that region.
The only other area that the 'aunt' pronunciation is common is Minnesota, especially as one moves westwards, and the Dakotas.
Ever heard anyone refer to those drinks collectively as "pop"?
I grew up in California, but spent summers, and later college in Michigan. I could never get used to “pop”. I will say pop is better than someone asking if you want a coke, and they bring you a Sprite, or Dr Pepper. Or they ask if you want a coke, then after saying yes your only options are anything but coke. I’m fine with pop, but don’t call all soda coke.
"Ant" (Upstate NY). And, the A is like a couple A's--"Aaant." Lol. I never heard the word "pop" till these boards. It was always "soda" to us and "supper" (not dinner) in the evening. I had an "Auntie," too (we pronounced her "Antie"). She wasn't a relative, but we called her Antie So and So.
I love hearing the differences within different regions.
It’s always been ant in California. My wife is from NY and she says ant too. Do those of you that say aunt also call your grandparents, grandmother and grandfather? That’s how aunt comes off sounding to me, very formal.
Ditto . Or vaaase instead of vase. Quite formal, bordering pretentious.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
. Or vaaase instead of vase. Quite formal, bordering pretentious.
