October 5th, 2009
Day 5: Phoneticism Fanaticism
It’s hard to swallow, this issue. There’s something that we, as a nation, need to get out on the table. Yes, it’s time for…something, something…third eating-related expression. As we speak, there is a subset of delicious candy items that goes by a name that is being horribly butchered and distorted.
I am speaking of Reese’s. Those delightful confections produced by a division of the Hershey’s corporation.
This moniker, I think we can all agree, was chosen because “Reese” was someone’s last name. Who was Mr. or Ms. Reese? The visionary genius who first had the idea to combine peanut butter and chocolate to create a snacking experience unlike any other? I have no clue. What I do know is that you say the last name in question like this: “Ree-sss.”
I’m sorry, but it’s “Ree-sez.” They are “Ree-sez Cups” and they are absolutely “Ree-sez Pieces.”
I am at a loss as to why some folks choose to go with “Ree-sees” as their pronunciation of choice.
I guess it really bothers Kate, as she recently called both Steph and Bliss out when she heard them her utter this treat’s name.
Bliss did present a pretty good argument for the two of them when she pointed out that if you say it like that, when you say “Reese’s Pieces” the two words sound just alike. I’d never thought of it that way and the more I considered that fact, the more I realized that it is not even close to true. For it to work that way it requires “pieces” to be said “pee-sees” as in “This will be a pee-see of cake” or “Does anyone want this last pee-see of pizza?”
What was funny was how this small problem dawned on the two of them, just as Bliss finished stating their case. “I think ‘Ree-sees’ is the way it’s said. [Steph nodding emphatically.] Then when you say “pie-ces” it…will…rhyme? [Steph, no longer nodding, clearly lost in thought.]”
In conclusion, don’t listen to the Ree-see-ers of the world. Their reasoning is a complete pile of fee-sez.
Tags: 14 posts, Family, Friends, Happenings - 1 Comment »
October 20th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
i’ll take that last pee-see of pizza!!!