Kleeny Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 It's funny how people both pronounce and spell handkerchiefs. I have noticed on some American videos that they can sometimes pronounce it handkerchiff, rather than chief. I like both, but have a preference for Chiefs. Also when written, when pluralising hankies, there is the difference between handkerchiefs, and handkerchieves. the latter appearing a little old fashioned, but again, I like it. I have a friend who writes handkerchieves and it's quite endearing. A lot of people don't realise it's a -kerchief for the hand, as much as a neckerchief is a kerchief for the neck, but I see hank-erchiefs a lot. I don't have a body part called a han! Also, do you prefer hanky's or hankies? Link to comment
Hankysneeze Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 This is a nice topic! I prefer handkerchief and hankies tbh. Link to comment
midnight in paris Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 Cheef and cheeves (or chives- as in sieves). Link to comment
sexyhankysneeze Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Handkerchiff or handkerchiffs (spelt handkerchief though) Hanky but hankies I'm too lazy to use the full name ever so it's always just hanky to me Link to comment
Luisa39 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Well, I'm American and very much prefer the long "e" ("cheef") pronunciation. I find it easier to say than "chiff"--and MUCH, MUCH easier to say than "hanky, which is a word I have major problems with (I think because, to me, it sounds "cutsey" and undignified). Link to comment
-~-~-~- Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 handkerchief is what I say and I sometimes shorten to hanky but I usually say the whole word. plural, I say handkerchiefs or, again less often do I shorten it, hankies. Link to comment
Kleeny Posted October 9, 2018 Author Share Posted October 9, 2018 Thanks Rhinoceros, good to be back, albeit intermittently. Link to comment
Kleeny Posted October 9, 2018 Author Share Posted October 9, 2018 Thanks for all the responses, and it's interesting to read the geographical differences. I do associate Chiff with the US, but then Sexyhankysneeze is from NZ, so there goes my national stereotype! Link to comment
Hankyrick Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 I pronounce them hankies and handkerchief. Although also I have used hanky before too Link to comment
Handkerchief Fan Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I always use the full word handkerchief and it's handkerchiefs for me. Link to comment
midnight in paris Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 On 10/3/2018 at 9:17 PM, Luisa39 said: Well, I'm American and very much prefer the long "e" ("cheef") pronunciation. I find it easier to say than "chiff"--and MUCH, MUCH easier to say than "hanky, which is a word I have major problems with (I think because, to me, it sounds "cutsey" and undignified. I agree entirely and have the same major problem.I love saying or hearing the full word as cheef and cheeves,or chives as in sieves.Nice to cross your path again. Link to comment
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