2006-10-13 10:58:27 · 16 answers · asked by Curly Top 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
leftenant is how the British pronounce it
Lootenant is how the Americans pronounce it.
The American pronunciation was originally the same as the British, but by the end of the 19th century had almost completely been replaced by the current pronunciation.
The English pronunciation was prevalent during the 14th and 15th centuries with the word being variously spelled as lieftenant, lyeftenant or luftenant. It may have originated from a mistaken reading of the 'u' as a 'v' (u and v originally were written as the same letter), with v eventually assimilating in voice to /f/. Some sources state that the original French word lieu had an alternative form spelt and pronounced lieuf, and that the modern standard English form retains the former spelling 'Lieutenant' and the latter pronunciation, 'Leftenant'.
It has also been speculated that it may have come from a fanciful etymology which associated it with the verb 'to leave', as the lieutenant only took up his duties once his superior officer had 'left'.
Another theory comes from the fact that in typical propriety the person or persons standing to the rear-left of a gentleman held power and were typically those directly second to him. The person or persons standing to the rear-right were considered to have no or less standing than those to the rear-left, such as aides, bodyguards, wives, etc., often holding this position for simple facility rather than societal importance. This tradition remains in military parades, with lieutenants standing to the rear-left of the commanding officer (when facing the advance).
2006-10-13 22:24:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Royal Navy is British. Therefore Leftenant.
Never, ever Lewt!
2006-10-14 00:43:53 · answer #2 · answered by True Blue Brit 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The British military and all English speaking armies different than us of a say "leftenant". this would not substitute, inspite of your provider. some examples of militia which say "Leftenant" - uk, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Jordan, Oman, UAE, Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and so on, and so on... basically the individuals say "lavatory-tenant". Sorry, notwithstanding it quite is quite conceited to assume that anybody copies the individuals. we don't. For the convenience of the individuals, a "lavatory", in actual English, is a bathing room. Or to place it on your tems, a sh-ithouse. So your junior officers needless to say lease evacuation centers... Explains very lots.
2016-10-19 08:37:57 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the British Royal Navy, it is pronouced lef-tenant. Lew-tenant is an american pronunciation.
2006-10-13 11:01:06 · answer #4 · answered by Fifi L'amour 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Crikey old chap, left-tennant, most definately, unless one is from a former colony that does not belong to the Commonwealth.
2006-10-13 15:26:35 · answer #5 · answered by Robert Abuse 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Left, your other left.....England and the United States are two countries separted by a common language.
2006-10-13 11:04:55 · answer #6 · answered by Brite Tiger 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can hardly believe my eyes ! there are answers here claiming lew, not lef ! Good lord ! thats just not cricket boys and girls !
Loooo tennant... sounds like somone living in a toilet !
Lef tennent... Sounds like an officer and a gnetleman (allegedly).
2006-10-13 11:13:19 · answer #7 · answered by mittobridges@btinternet.com 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The right tenant is left tenant
2006-10-13 11:08:13 · answer #8 · answered by hakuna matata 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Left for All UK military
2006-10-13 11:00:33 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends if you're in America or in England.
2006-10-13 11:00:29 · answer #10 · answered by John P 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋