On Wed, 27 Aug 1997, Charles & Mary Boewe wrote: > 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. . . . > >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 Dear Mary and Gregg: A reliable American source for the "ow" pronunciation of "smouch" is the Century Dictionary (ed. William Dwight Whitney and Benjamin E. Smith, New York: Century Company, 1913) 6: 5721. All best, Vic Fischer