SOME TRICKY WORDS It is only a test, but try to say this line several times without worrying about that which so often happens to people who say it do so.. Try saying the following sentence three times, rather rapidly, as through giving instructions
to another person:
"There is only one way to say "only" and that is the only way to say it. Remember to say the word "only" that way; always say "only" and never slip into "olny" as some people do. The only way to say only is "only" a that is only true, it is said, of the term "only."
In have known a number of people who have trouble every time they hear the tense sound of a siren on an emergency vehicle - near or afar. Be it a klaxon horn blast or the shrill moaning of the siren type they say: Uh-Oh! Musta been another car wreck! There goes another "anvilance"! I have heard that word used more often by people in the Rockingham County section of Virginia. It may be a Shenandoah Valley-ism. Anvilances are seem frequently on the roads there, either in long, limo-car-ish versions but more often as sturdy, truck-like models which are amazing well-equipped and staffed by volunteer Rescue Squad members from about every community. Pronounce it anyway you like; it is always properly said to be one of our greatest community blessings.
We have several communicates in the Shenandoah Valley area which ,for me, give new radio and TV personalities some trouble until they get The town of Crozet is a more obvious one and they quickly get use is soften it a bit for a gentle "Cro'-zaay". Some newcomers, however, can be here for years but still insist of adding letters in the middle a town's name. The village, named in honor of original settlers in the area - the Stannic family. The community in which they lived became "Stannadsville". But it is not unusual to hear it and to see it printed as "Standardsville,Va."
Most first-timers call it "Staughn-tun" just as they do some streets or section back home. Others come closer by thinking "stan", and adding "ton", but doesn't quite hit the mark. Think English. Think how softly Lady Staunton said her name...easy, relaxed, smoothly...it came forth - not "Stan'-ton ", but rather more delicately, even flowing as: "Stant'on". It is never "stan+ton." It is "stant+on." - Staunton, Virginia
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 10-2-06 [c425wds]
