MacPherson [how to pronounce?]

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 05:12 AM

Listening to Davie Stewart's MacPherson's Rant (and the intro) on the CD of Alan Lomax recordings it's FER.

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Megan L
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 03:45 AM

Mac FER son is how it is pronounced around here in Orkney. The clan MacPherson Museum is in Newtonmore and they pronounce it the same way

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 03:32 AM

Fur.

Now what about Fetherstonhaugh?

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Jim Lad
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 02:51 AM

That's right.
I met a fella "Hyslop" over here who pronounces his name "Highslop".
The list goes on.. "Montague" = "Montygew"

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Brendy
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 01:14 AM

'Dal-zell' and 'Men-zees' would be they way we would pronounce that, Jim; 'Dee-yell', and 'Ming-iss' tend to not roll off our tongues as well... ;-)

'Ming' does, in fairness.... ;-)

B.

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Jim Lad
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 01:05 AM

MacFearson is a pretty common Scottish pronunciation. I find that I switch back and forth between the two with no rhyme nor reason.
You think that's bad though. Ask any Scot how Dalziel and Menzies are pronounced. It's all about accents and local dialects.

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:55 AM

G'day leeneia and Kat,

Just tossing in my hat from a long way from Chicago / Milwaukee / Wyoming / Colorado and New Hampshire ... and even further from Scotland. I know a fair number of Australians with the surname M(a)cPherson ... and have dealt with a local engineering supplier of the same name ... and the only time I've ever heard the "MacFIERCEon" pronunciation (as against the commonly heard "MacFURson") is in the singing of MacPherson's Lament.

Regards,

Bob
Leichhardt, Sydney, Australia

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Brendy
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:54 AM

Sorry kat didn't notice the FAIR at the end.

I would be inclined to call the person "MACK FER-SON"..., but then, I'm a northerner, and our pronunciation can be more... cut-and-dried..., let's say... ;-)

B.

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: Brendy
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:50 AM

FER

B.

Subject: RE: MacPherson
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:35 AM

Raised in Wyoming and Colorado - we'd pronounce almost like oyu do, but more muk-FEAR-sun.

My Rog, from New Hampshire, says it the same way.

Maybe the FUR is a reflection of a Scottish accent? In my mind, I can hear a friend or two who are Scots kind of rolling it and it sounding more like FUR than FEAR, actually a kind of blend of the two which sounds more like muk-FAIR-sun.:-)

Subject: MacPherson
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 12:23 AM

Friends of mine are going to do a radio show soon, and one of the songs they will be playing has the name 'MacPherson' in it.

Where I grew up (the Chicago-Milwaukee megalopolis) this name is pronounced Mac FIERCE son.

Here in the Kansas City region, it is pronounced Mac FUR son.

So I am taking a poll. How do you say it, and where are you from?