why do some people say excape rather than escape?

Question

it really bugs me

Answer 1

The simple explanation for this is a very common development in languages -- unfamiliar/unusual letter combinations or words that are difficult to pronounce tend to be adapted to sound patterns that are more common in the language.

So, think of all the English words that begin with "ex-" (I found a list of 1475, as opposed to 102 for "esc-").

Actually, the reordering of sounds in a word (called "metathesis") is quite common. The results may even become the standard word, as happened with Old English "brid" (now "bird"), "hros" (our "horse") and "thridde" ("third").
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metathesis_(linguistics)
http://sps.k12.mo.us/khs/linguistics/lingtrms.htm#M

Or forms may vary across dialects. (Thus we find both "aks" and "ask" in Middle English, and "aks" was the standard pronunciation in a British dialect that formed the basis for one of the major American regional dialects.. ahd this group passed it on to the slaves in their midst.)
http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/vajda/ling201/test3materials/AmericanDialects.htm

Now look a the origins of the word "escape:

"[Middle English escapen, from Old North French escaper, from Vulgar Latin *excappre, to get out of one's cape, get away : Latin ex-, ex- + Medieval Latin cappa, cloak.]"
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/escape

Thus, "escape" is originally is an "ex-" word. We only say "esc-" because a sound was lost in the French.

All that does not suddenly make "excape" into "Standard English", but it should make it a bit more understandable, maybe even a bit less annoying (esp. when we realize how this sort of thing has often given us "STANDARD" words.)

Answer 2

It is the same question as why do some people speak with a Southern accent or why do Bostonians say Caaa instead of car. Different regions pronounce things differently. People from different places have different grammar too sometimes. I knew people in Chicago in graduate programs who consistently said "should have went," knowing it was "wrong" but that is what people in certain areas of Chicago say. It has nothing to do with education. When you grow up you learn what is "right" from the people around you.

What confuses me is why people think it is such a big deal. We all understand each other.

Answer 3

It has a lot to do with how people speak. Some write (or type) as they speak. Sometimes it's attributed to accents and dialects, which can easily be remedied by reminding them of the "correct" spelling. Dyslexia can also be a factor - the word will "look" correct, even though it isn't. Clumsy fingers, too, especially where the letters are close together.

Answer 4

Same reason people say "zee" and "zed" for the letter Z. Different countries teach different pronouciations.

Answer 5

The same reason some people say potato or tomato differently.

Answer 6

Poor English pronunciation. Kind of like axk instead of ask.

Answer 7

It's a speech defect, like saying "nucular" instead of "nuclear". I had such a defect as a child, when it was pointed out to me, I fixed it.

Answer 8

For the same reason most illiterate people, including our commander-in-chief, say "Oh" when they mean "Zero". I do not live at Six-Oh-One Main Street, I live at Six-Zero-One Main Street. They are to be pitied and shunned. I will not allow anyone to dumb me down.

Answer 9

Don axe me, bucha betta go lookit in the mirro cuz ya face needa be warshed

Answer 10

I think pronunciation is a low priority in schools these days. It probably seems too elitist or something.