Settle this debate: How do you pronounce "Rutherford"?

Ruh-thur-furd. I can’t even figure out another way to say it. Rooothurfurd? And last/first makes no difference.

I would pronounce it the same as a first or last name.

Personally I pronounce it Ruth-uh-ferd. First or last makes no difference.

@nikipedia: So would you say that the “Ruther” part of the word rhymes with “other”?

But he is totally not gonna count your answer anyway because he is just going to say you sided with me because I told you to do so, haha.

Ruther obviously rhymes with Fluther and Ford is either Ford or as most of us, including SuperMouse, say, “ferd.”

http://forvo.com/word/rutherford_birchard_hayes/

I uploaded a pronunciation to there. It seems to agree with the others from the U.S.

@SuperMouse: You do not indicate how the “u” in “Ruth” (in your phonetic pronunciation) is pronounced.

@girlofscience: Precisely.

I believe there is ample evidence of disagreement between us on fluther, although now I can’t think of any good examples….. Furthermore you did not actually post your preferred pronunciation!

@gailcalled: And is Fluther pronounced “Fluh-ther” or “Floo-ther”?

Fluther rhymes with brother.

I would say r-uh-th.

@nikipedia: Yes, but he could think I told you what to do via phone, email, text, IM.

@GoS: Know that you are right and let it go. It seems like a small battle to wager.

Go for a walk, be happy, be thrilled that you don’t have a severe case of strep throat like some of us. (My eyes are watering so badly that I can hardly type.)

RRRRuth-a-ferd (roll the first R)

Ruth(rough)- a(father) bird
It’s a Scottish surname

@gailcalled: Can I please show him these responses to show that I am right!

Ford(bird)

@gailcalled sorry you are sick. Go wallow with Milo and maybe you will feel better. Or just sack out on the couch with the remote.

@lefteh: OMG, amazing! Thank you!

I know someone named Rutherford. He pronounces “Ruther” to rhyme with brother. It’s his name so he should know.

@GoS: This is THE moment; I say “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”

I’m with SuperMouse

@AlfredaPrufrock I was just going to say that, too. That makes 3 of us.

ruh-ther-ford

i say ruh ther ferd. if i say it slow, i can pronounce the ford correctly.

RUH-the-ferd is how I say it, with the stress on the first syllable.

rhymes with mother bird

Roo thur ferd?

Ruh-thur-ferd. No debate on that. :)

rooothafowawhd

The U would be long based on its placement in the word. Rue would make it short.

I think your short and long are backwards…

@lefteh ;) I had a feeling they were! Maybe I’m just dyslexic and never knew it till now!

Assuming we reverse those words, I agree with you!

Presto! They’re reversed!.......Wait. No they’re not. Gasp I have lost my magic powers and turned dyslexic all at the same time! I just shoulda stayed in bed.

My family is of Scottish decent and for as long as anyone can remember the first syllable has always been pronounced the same way you would say Ruth.

The people in East Jessamine County call’em RELLA-FURDs
.