I work in a 'buffet' style food joint and someone asked me this question so I figured why not see if anyone has a good answer for it. LOL
2006-09-06 02:09:48 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
Buffet (in the context of food) was originally a French word which was assimilated by the English some time ago (dictionary.com say 1710-20). The 'a' vowel sound and silent 't' are therefore due to their grammatical rules - try checking a French dictionary or follow some of the links for the wikipedia article on the French language for information of that nature.
The English language does also have a definition of the word buffet (pronounced 'buff - it') meaning 'strike' or 'shock'; eg. "The kite was buffeted by the wind".
2006-09-06 02:25:13 · answer #1 · answered by JA 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
People pronounce names sometimes totally different than the actual word. The word buffet (french origin) means a meal-serving system where patrons serve themselves.
For example, the football player Brett Favre pronounces his name like it rhymes with "carve". If you were to pronounce it correctly it would be "FAVE-re".
BTW, the singer you mentioned spells his name "Buffett". If you add an "e" to the end, the "T's" in his name would be pronounced, instead of "fay" in "buh-FAY". I hope this helps.
2006-09-06 02:23:42 · answer #2 · answered by Niko 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
English is a dynamic language and this particular one is actually a French word which has been adopted into English. Is this not obvious or has the Irish education system failed again??
2006-09-06 02:27:13 · answer #3 · answered by mjdp 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No,Why is it that some parrot(with a love for humanity) hasn't bitten off Jimmy Buffet's nose yet?
What if that were really a stage name and he originally wanted
to call himself Jimmy Bistro? Jimmy Luby's?
2006-09-06 02:17:55 · answer #4 · answered by moebiusfox 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
That's the English language for ya. Like gnome with the g being silent. I think whoever made this language up was on some serious drugs.
2006-09-06 02:18:17 · answer #5 · answered by whitebeanner 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many people in this world that have names and surnames that are spelled just like the example you gave. But when it comes to a persons name it is their liberty and right to pronunce it as they choose or se of a famiy name as the family chooses to pronounce it and in that case that is the legal correct way to pronounce it.
2006-09-06 02:21:00 · answer #6 · answered by Papa WILL 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
because it's a french word.
Jimmy Buffet is not a french derivation.
2006-09-06 02:16:07 · answer #7 · answered by a1tommyL 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO idea .. but Buffett ROCKS !!
Fins to the Left .. Fins to the Right !!!
2006-09-06 02:19:39 · answer #8 · answered by lilredhead 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
french word!
2006-09-06 02:14:52 · answer #9 · answered by Michael S 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋