My wife pronounces it three different ways, each of which she can support. I pronounce it one, but other than that it’s the way I’ve heard it I can’t support my pronunciation even after some searches. What’s yours and why?
I pronounce it like sen + tar, and accent it like boxcar. Can’t think of a reason, that’s just how it looks to me.
Sen-tar
Because that’s the only way I’ve ever even heard it pronounced. This thread is gonna be wild.
Me too. I’m not a pedantic Latin-pronouncer who’d say “ken-tower”
I recognise that “kentawur” is correct, but reject it because “sentar” just sounds more correct.
Just because an English word was originally Latin and is written the same way, doesn’t mean it’s pronounced the same way. It’s an English word now. It has an English pronunciation, pluralisation and definition that can all be different from the original. “Kentawur” is not correct for the English word.
I thought this question would get almost no attention, but so far I’ve gotten almost one response per minute. Well predicted.
I even learned that local language changes things from a couple replies, which I hadn’t considered.
It’s still so interesting noticing comments from you, as I used to be frustrated by the bubble letters in your name. Since my client started suppressing that, I find you often contribute to conversations and I appreciate it.
I tried to express this once before, but at that point my client was still somewhat immature and randomly put my comment in a different, irrelevant thread.
Anyway, thanks for being a classic and long lasting part of lemmy and for showing up in my thread! I’m glad it provided you with some enlightenment.
I saw sen-tar as well!
Can’t are
ken-tavr, I think that’s similar to how it pronounced in a lot of languges around here, it’s also pretty similar how original greeks did it (kένταυροι)
Solid.
I pronounce it “Phil”. And he would appreciate it if you would stop staring at his missing eye.
Like the other commenter I pronounce it sen-tor. Just like the word “dinosaur” I would pronounce die-no-sor if that makes sense. Both words end in “aur”.
…though now you’ve got me curious about how you and your wife pronounce dinosaur :)
Dino-saw. That’s just because of how the DNA molecule character pronounces it in Jurassic Park, and it cracks me up.
If it’s in a Greek or ancient Latin context I pronounce it with a hard C, but if it’s a general English context I pronounce it with a soft C.
I’m not sure what the third way would be.
So far, the main way I haven’t seen suggested.
I guess I owe my wife an apology.
So how do you pronounce it?
Honestly, I’m afraid to say. No one will support me, it seems.
Sen-chwar.
I have not once in my entire life heard anyone say it like that. Where are you from? Maybe it’s a regional thing…
>EveryMuffinIsNowEncrypted wants to know your location.
Lol, that is funny. xD
Maryland. Maybe it’s regional, like you said. However, I was sheltered growing up, so maybe not.
That very well could be regional. Are you near Baltimore? I grew up around DC, but mostly in Annapolis, and I’ve always said it like cen-tar
Edit - I agree with the person below, your brain probably decided that’s how it was pronounced at a young age. There’s a bunch of words I’ve read but never say out loud because I know I will say them wrong! I should just own them, there’s too many great words out there!
I am no longer in Maryland, but yes, I spent most of my life within an hour of Baltimore. I was indeed an avid reader, so it’s possible that I made my own decision about its pronunciation (that has certainly happened with other words), but I think I got this one from hearing my mom say it. I can’t prove that, though.
I told my wife about this thread and about how you said you pronounced it differently and she jokingly said “sen-CHWAR” in a funny voice. When I read your comment off to her she laughed incredibly hard. Her joke turned out to be spot on lol.
Rude.
But I’m glad I could add some levity to your day! I can often make my wife chortle, but when I can make her laugh incredibly hard it’s a good day.
Chwar? Like… Shwarma?
Now i’m hungry for a Centaur shawarma.
I am now questioning every word I’ve ever pronounced, but I think “shawarma” has a softer “sh” whereas my apparently incorrect pronunciation of centaur has a harder “ch,” like “change.”
Perhaps you should consult Tony Stark to satisfy your centaur shawarma cravings. If anyone could make it happen, it’s probably him.
…yea I wanna explanation
Sorry, I’m not sure how to explain. It’s the only way I’ve ever heard it said.
Wouldn’t that be spelled centuar (like how “actually” is often pronounced “ackschwally”) and not centaur?
I’ve never heard it that way but I get it. A combination of (the relevant bits of) suture and jaguar. Only problem is, it’s not spelled centuar, it’s spelled centaur.
However, until one shows up to personally correct your spelling and pronunciation, I think you’re free to call imaginary creatures whatever you call them.
The third way would be a difference in how the diphthong is pronounced: “-aur” or “-ower.”
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sen-tar
“sen-” like “cent” (like 25 cents), and “-tar” like “a tar pit”
Scent-ore
Simply “englishified” from French where I’ve ever heard only one way, Centaur (100 tor).
Man, English is a mess.
Be fair. We inherited most of that mess from the French.
You’re not wrong.
Cent-our
sen-tar.
i could see sen-tor.
Senn-torr
The “taur” is probably the same root as in “Taurus” and "el Toro"¹, which I’ve only ever heard said like torr, so I say it the same. The first part I don’t think is ever said anything other than “senn” right?
¹I can’t back that up, since they mean bull not horse and I have no sources. We do see the same root pop up in “Minotaur” from the same language though, and that is a part bull part man.
Tauros in greek is bull, yeah. The minotaur was the Bull of Minos. It may link back to the pre-greek people of crete, known for bull-leaping.
The “ken” in “Kentauros” is thought to mean piercing, but why is a piercing bull a half man/horse? There’s no obvious explanation.
I love the idea of -tauros coming to mean a monstrous combination, like franken- in english. But if there were any evidence of that some very excited nerds would’ve told us, I’m sure.
I love the idea of -tauros coming to mean a monstrous combination
That is a great theory and until an excited nerd tells me otherwise it’s what I’m going to choose to believe (albeit without telling anyone else just in case)
Sen-towr
Sen-tar. I used to say sen-tore as a kid (as in taurine) but I think it sounds better the other way. Also easier to say in my opinion.
