Would you say "spee-uhl" or "shpee-uhl"?
2006-09-01 11:36:54 · 9 answers · asked by Cookie777 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Spiel is an American English slang word, or Scots word, referring to a rant or monologue, perhaps of a dishonest or misleading nature.The word has two possible etymologies:
from the Scots word for game, competition, or (sporting) match [1]
from a Yiddish language word used in prison culture, an evolutionary stage between rap and hip hop and the earlier chain gang songs influenced by gospel and Afro-Caribbean music.
Variants are Szpil, Szpilewski, Szpilowski.
Note that the variants with the "Sz" are likely the reason for the common schpee-uhl pronounciation.
2006-09-01 11:51:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say shpee-uhl, but that's just what I've always heard.
2006-09-01 18:41:40 · answer #2 · answered by jojo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a German word, and the correct pronunciation is "shpeel" (not two syllables, as you suggest). Suggestions that it is American slang or derived from some other language are simply incorrect.
2006-09-01 21:16:54 · answer #3 · answered by BoredBookworm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Sh" sound and then "peel" (as in banana peel).
So phonetically it is spelled "SHPEEL"
2006-09-01 20:12:23 · answer #4 · answered by Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just "spil"
2006-09-01 18:42:50 · answer #5 · answered by Carlos A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shpeeel
2006-09-01 18:44:45 · answer #6 · answered by leppyman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sch-peel
2006-09-01 18:42:14 · answer #7 · answered by z z 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
neither, i say "shpeel"
2006-09-01 21:56:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok
2006-09-01 18:43:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋