How do you say "Gloucester" (Chester: counties, accent)

[Notfromhere99]

Is it pronounced "GLAUW-CHESTER" OR "GLAUWSTER" OR "GLESTER"?

[lammius]

Originally Posted by Notfromhere99

Is it pronounced "GLAUW-CHESTER" OR "GLAUWSTER" OR "GLESTER"?

I say glawster, (aw as in claw or law) but i've also heard glouster (ou as in ouch). Gloucester is in South Jersey, where people generally speak much differently than I do, so there may be a different pronunciation that's preferred locally.

[christina0001]

I say "GLOW (the ow like "ow! I got hurt," not like the word glow) -STER. I have also frequently heard it pronounced "GLAW (like "aww") - STER." I am not sure which is right, if either is right!

[jerseygirlInTN]

I grew up in Boston and we also have a Gloucester. We say "GLAWSTAH."

[Onizuka]

The proper British pronunciation is "glawster" and that is the pronunciation I've heard most often on TV/radio (in NJ/PA). I can't say I remember how a person with Philly accent pronounces it.

[chaz longue]

Yep - Rhymes with "thaw".

[diamondmom]

I'm British. In the UK it's pronounced "Gloster"

[I'll pronounce it correct]

Here's the fundamental question: why isn't Gloucester even remotely spelled close to how it is pronounced? Where else in the English language is there a silent "uce"?

[G.Costanza]

Many of the English counties have the silent 'ce':

Leicester ("lester")
Worcester ("wooster")

[southbound_295]

In South Jersey & Philly it is pronounced Glawster.