Why is primer pronounced Primmer?
“Primer” with a short I, pronounced like “primmer” and meaning an introductory book, is the older word, going all the way back to the 1300s. It came from the Latin word “primus,” which meant “first,” and which doesn’t sound like either modern day pronunciation.
Where does the word primer come from?
In the 14th century, a primer was a prayer book. This word comes from primus, the Latin word for first.
What is a primer in English?
Definition of primer (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a small book for teaching children to read. 2 : a small introductory book on a subject. 3 : a short informative piece of writing.
What is an academic primer?
A primer (in this sense usually pronounced /ˈprɪmər/, sometimes /ˈpraɪmər/) is a first textbook for teaching of reading, such as an alphabet book or basal reader.
What is a primer in a bullet?
In firearms and artillery, the primer (/ˈpraɪmər/) is the chemical and/or device responsible for initiating the propellant combustion that will push the projectiles out of the gun barrel. In smaller weapons the primer is usually of the first type and integrated into the base of a cartridge.
Should you pronounce the L in salmon?
Apparently, a couple of centuries ago, the word salmon was spelled samoun in the English language. Salmon was one of those words. In Latin, the word for fish is salmo, and the L is pronounced. Even though the English word spelling changed from samoun to salmon, the pronunciation stayed the same, making the L silent.
What is the correct pronunciation of primer?
Primer is pronounced with a long i sound, like miner or buyer, and I’ve never heard it ever pronounced differently. Linguistic answer: Dictionaries vary on which is the correct pronunciation, but the OED, which is generally considered the final word on the English language, accepts both pronunciations as valid.
What is the difference between primer and primer?
‘Primer’ in American English and British English In American English, it’s clear cut: A primer (pronounced “primmer”) is a schoolbook, and a primer (rhyming with “climber”) is the first coat of something, like the white stuff you roll onto drywall before you put on your real paint, or an explosive cap.
Is it spelled “primer” or “climber”?
The Oxford English Dictionary says that “primer” (rhyming with “skimmer”) is the original pronunciation. For reasons I couldn’t find, the “primer” (rhyming with “climber”) pronunciation also arose, and then the two pronunciations came to be used differently in American and British English.
Why is it called a primer book?
“Primer” with a short I, pronounced like “primmer” and meaning an introductory book, is the older word, going all the way back to the 1300s. It described both a schoolbook and a prayer book since at the time reading was taught from prayer books, according to Etymonline.