@Annie Loved reading the linked article. I always assumed it was just that quoted "American arrogance", and enjoyed learning about it. Thanks.
@Annie Today I learned that aluminum and aluminium are actually two different words and not an accent. Thanks for that. Language is fun.
@Annie This brought back a childhood memory: There was a kids' cartoon show in the 1950s ("Ruff & Reddy" I think) where the protagonists went to an all-robot planet called Munimula, which (as they told us) is "Aluminum" spelled backwards. I thought that was so cool...
@parag I'm not sure about that. Ask versus Aks or Ax has cultural significance and a long history
The origins of "nuclear" are more recent, but older than I expected: 1704 seems to be the origin, from the early days of exploring the structure of cells.
@cliffordbeshers @parag Agree. I too learned late about these cultural aspects. We may have noticed Bennie Thompson, the Chair of the Jan 6th Committee also say 'aks'.
@cliffordbeshers Good question as it seems to be an American southern accent thing that drives it.
@gregmoore @cliffordbeshers Also very Midwest - perhaps only more Southern or rural Midwest. I've heard versions from MS to MO.
@pratik @cliffordbeshers @parag Important distinction: mispronunciation versus cultural- or regional-specific pronunciation.