Is there anybody outside the over-rich middle class who can say Pilates without cringing?

Question

I pride myself on my pronunciation but I'd never be able to pronounce that word pee-lar-tays without being heavily ironic. Otherwise I pronounce it like Pontius Pilate. It seems to be one of those words exclusive to Daily Mail reading women who have large detached houses. Hearing English babies saying Mama, Papa and especially grandmama and grandpapa makes me wince too.

I like to pronounce things properly but there's something so awfully smug about the word being pronounced pee-lar-tays without irony that if I need to say it and I don't want to be ironic, I deliberately pronounce it as in Pontius Pilate. English kids who say poncy things like 'grandmama' and 'grandpapa' make me want to puke too.

Answer 1

I'm waaaay outside of the over-rich middle class and not only do I like the work Pilates, but I also like the exercise. It keeps me fit.
Maybe you should try it. It may help relax you a little. :-)