On Wed, 27 Aug 1997 12:13:56 -0700 Greg Camfield <[log in to unmask]> writes: >I don't think I'd rely on the OED for American pronunciations. >Otherwise >we'll be smOOching strange things in England, like "his name and style >being the Honourable Kirkcudbright Llanover Marjoribanks Sellers >Viscount >Berkeley, of Cholmondeley Castle, Warwickshire (Pronounced K'koobry >Thlanover Marshbanks Sellers Vycount Barkly, of Chumly Castle, >Warrikshr)," as Twain explains in chapter 1 of _The American >Claimant_. >Such smouching would be the kiss of death to what Twain called the >American >language. > > Gregg Camfield > As I sit on my couch and crouch over dictionaries, I realize I cannot vouch for the fact that "smouch" rhymed with "ouch" in Mark Twain's America. But, as implied in my recent note via e-mail pouch, I accept the OED pronunciation until smOOch can be legitimately documented. Sorry to be such a grOOch! Mary Boewe