American Linguistic Divisions

[DontSayBanana]

The "carmel" pronunciation of the word "caramel" has always annoyed the piss out of me. My mom's family were repeat offenders. Always sounded lazy and provincial to me.

Especially since I lived in Carmel, NJ until a few years ago.  Carmel != caramel.

[Josquius]

What I find odd about all these is that with some words it is the south that has the more British pronounciation whilst on others it is the north. Not much consistency.

[DontSayBanana]

What I find odd about all these is that with some words it is the south that has the more British pronounciation whilst on others it is the north. Not much consistency.

It's a hodge-podge since the American Civil War.  If you look, Southern New Jersey tends to be a pocket of Southern influence- after the ACW, there were a ton of transplants from Kentucky to New Jersey for some reason.

[Pedrito]

Guinea is considered rude?

Is it some sort of slur towards West Africans?

'Guinea?  I am from The Gambia you bastard!!11'

It's a rude term for Italians.

Uh, no  Never heard it as a slur. For American Italians, maybe.

L.

[merithyn]

Uh, no  Never heard it as a slur. For American Italians, maybe.

L.

Since the term is essentially saying that Italians aren't white, I suppose it's up to you to decide if it's a slur for you or not. It most definitely was for American Italians at the turn of the century when so many immigrated, and for that reason, continues to be one.

By the way, just because you don't understand it doesn't mean that people aren't using it to be rude to you.

[derspiess]

Where I grew up, grinders were also known as guinea grinders, and were hot Italian sausage sandwiches with red sauce, topped with cheese.

  That's awesome. 

[Eddie Teach]

I don't care how many dago wop guinea greaseball goombahs come out of the woodwork.

[The Brain]

I don't care how many dago wop guinea greaseball goombahs come out of the woodwork.