[78-L] A or An [was When is an LP an Lp]^

[David Lennick]

On 10/21/2010 10:20 PM, Steven C. Barr wrote:
> From: "Julian Vein"<julianvein at blueyonder.co.uk>
>> David Lennick wrote:
>>> On 10/20/2010 11:44 AM, Michael Biel wrote:
>>>> On Oct 19, 2010, at 7:02 PM, David Lennick wrote:
>>>>> Anyone know if the special limited edition record player plays
>>>>> both 78s and LPs, especially since the disc on it is an LP? (or as
>>>>> Dr. Biel would prefer, an Lp.)    dl
>>>> NO!!  Lp was a Columbia trademark, therefore, the only proper use of it
>>>> is with Columbia Lps.  Everything else is a LP !!!
>>>> Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com
>>> Everything else is *AN* LP. Sheesh!
>>> Dl
>> There are ambiguities with using the indefinite article. For instance, I
>> would say "An historical event", but "A history of Britain". This is
>> because the emphasis is different. "Historical" is pronounced
>> "Hi'-STORICAL" and history "HISS-tory".
>>
> These are NOT ambiguities! "An" is used where the initial "H" is
> silent; If it is pronounced, "A" is used...! Thus, AN "istorical..." (this
> is how it is spoken...!), but A "history" (the "h" is pronounced!)!
> This is why English (so far NOT called "united-statesian...?!" is
> VERY difficult to learn for folks who didn't grow up with it...?!
>
> Steven C. Barr
>

Sorry, but nobody who wants to sound like anything but a phony baloney says "an 
historical". Unless you're in a Monty Python sketch. "This is a historic 
moment" sounds like people communicating. "This is an historic moment" sounds 
like pretentious bullshit.

dl