2006-10-25 07:41:23 · 6 answers · asked by trankssj 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
think of it this way, words with Xe in them are pronounced Ze. such as Xenon (the element) and xerox. i don't really know how else you would pronounce a word starting with Xe, so i guess this is just another quirk of the english language.
2006-10-25 07:52:26 · answer #1 · answered by Edward Laham 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the English language doesn't really allow for any way of pronouncing a word beginning with X - try it and you won't half make funny noises. It's my understanding (could be wrong) that the name Xerox was conjured up by a marketing team, rather as the name Exxon was ... i.e. looks good, is memorable, and people will automatically use Z in its place.
You should try speaking a language like Xhosa, which has about 52 different kinds of clicks, all voiced in different ways, and when rendered into English require the most incredible combination of letters and exclamation points ...
2006-10-25 14:53:11 · answer #2 · answered by mrsgavanrossem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the X in "xylophone" is pronounced as a Z and not an X.
2006-10-25 22:47:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe because when you pronounce the letter "x," it sounds like "ekzzzz."
2006-10-25 14:53:47 · answer #4 · answered by CrankyYankee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how do you pronounce an x? how about a xylaphone? would you rather them say it like x-ray? x rox?
2006-10-25 15:25:28 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda SSS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
same reason "phone" is not a F but a P
same reason "phat" is not a F but a P
2006-10-25 14:43:30 · answer #6 · answered by Big R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋