Forte (n) - a strong point, as of a person: that in which one excels.
For 45 years I’ve pronounced this for-tay. Well, not technically 45 years because I didn’t pop out saying, “Hey, Mama, what’s your forte?”
So, yesterday Girl and I are going over her word list for the week and she says “fort” and I quickly correctly her that it’s pronounced “fortay” not wanting my child to sound ignorant.
“No. It’s pronounced fort. Ms. Maddox said so.”
“Well, Ms. Maddox is wrong.” Humph. I marched into my office and pulled out my dictionary. 
I’ll be damned. 45 years of mis-pronunciation stared back at me from Webster’s. How could this be? It’s pronounced “fort”. I can’t say it. It sounds…stupid. “Fortay”…that sounds good. Now I will forever avoid using this word in speech because I can’t knowingly mis-pronounce it, but I can’t say it that other way either. :oops:
Ever had a word that just came back to bite you in the butt that way?
I like for-tay too. Just sounds better. (And I refuse to use the word in conversation for exactly the same reason as you, Jen.)
When DG and I started dating, there were many discussions of the proper way to pronounce things. I changed “niche” to the French way when DG actually used the word “tump.” (As in, “I tumped over the glass of juice.) I figured it was the least I could do…
Comment by Kimberly — August 28, 2007 @ 7:36 am
I agree. The word just doesn’t sound right the correct way. I think we should send a petition to Webster’s.
Comment by Kira — August 28, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Yep, I’m with you ladies. Let’s send that petition. I can’t think of word right off.
Comment by Ginger — August 28, 2007 @ 7:57 am
Who knew??? I’ve always heard it pronouced for-tay. And I will stubbornly continue to pronounce it that way. :mrgreen:
Comment by Rhonda — August 28, 2007 @ 8:55 am
We’ve had a few instances where #3 confuses the pronunciation of words. Now, since he’s been teased so much, he returns the favor. Yes… :devil: I remember one day he leaned over the balcony and laughed saying, “Someone named this man Sigmund Fru-ed.”
Or the time when he was just learning to read that he thought the store Bobs was pronounced Boobs. Yes, we’ve had some doozies here. And he tries to catch me up whenever he can. But this…. this… defies all that I know. But forte, pronounced fort? I thought that was an outpost where soldiers stood off the enemy?
Comment by Kathy — August 28, 2007 @ 9:08 am
Alright, Kimberly, I have NEVER heard the word “tumped”. Now I have to look it up.
Kira, I’ll sign the petition! It’s just wrong I say.
And Ginger’s gonna sign too.
It’s truly an “ignorance is bliss” situation, Rhonda, cause I just can’t say it now.
Comment by Jennifer — August 28, 2007 @ 9:17 am
I know, Kathy, it is an outrage! And Girl was particularly pleased that I was wrong. I think she and your numero three have some commonalities. :fryingpan:
Comment by Jennifer — August 28, 2007 @ 9:23 am
I’ve always heard and said “For-tay.” How odd. I suffer greatly from being a westcoaster transplanted. Words like foyer, salmon, niche, etc. throw me off cause I don’t say them the way people round here do.
Comment by Andrea — August 28, 2007 @ 9:36 am
I don’t know if Webster will have an entry for tump. It’s one of those redneck classic words. (The funny thing is that tump is not a word I use…DG must have picked it up from one of our redneck friends.
Comment by Kimberly — August 28, 2007 @ 10:03 am
I didn’t realize until your babysitter stories that you were a “foreigner.” :mrgreen:
Kimberly, I did actually find tump in the dictionary but not for the way your husband uses it. It’s a dialect noun which means, “Hillcock, mound, or barrow; a clump.” Yes, I am nutty and looked after your first post. :devil:
Comment by Jennifer — August 28, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I’ve never heard of the word “tump” either. Calling all southerners! Can anyone claim “tump?” Inquiring minds…
Comment by Rhonda — August 28, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Fortunately, I have The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition and it shows forte being pronounced both fort and for-tay.
Webster.
So
Comment by Kimberly's Mom — August 28, 2007 @ 10:18 pm
Kimberly’s Mom, you are a life-saver!!! Seriously, that is one of my favorite words but I was willing to forsake it to not have that ridiculous pronunciation. Bwahahahaha, it is mine once again!
:bowdown: :cooldance:
Comment by Jennifer — August 28, 2007 @ 11:20 pm