Why is bullette pronounced like that?
Why is bullette pronounced like that?
Alternatively: why is it spelled like that?
"Boo-lay". It's clear what to call this land shark, but it's unclear to me how it got its spelling. I've called them bull-etts for as long as I've known about them, having only ever read the word before in either the "Manual" or the "Folio", I forget which. Which came first, the pronunciation or the spelling? Who's the big cheese that said "my lasting legacy shall forthwith be, and I declare, we shall give this monster a soft-ending name and a hard-ending spelling!"? I can't be the only one who's had this question...
I'm partially joking, in the sense that I'm acting a bit dramatic about it on purpose, but it's a serious question. Where'd the name sound/spelling dissonance (at least as perceived by me) come from?
"Boo-lay". It's clear what to call this land shark, but it's unclear to me how it got its spelling. I've called them bull-etts for as long as I've known about them, having only ever read the word before in either the "Manual" or the "Folio", I forget which. Which came first, the pronunciation or the spelling? Who's the big cheese that said "my lasting legacy shall forthwith be, and I declare, we shall give this monster a soft-ending name and a hard-ending spelling!"? I can't be the only one who's had this question...
I'm partially joking, in the sense that I'm acting a bit dramatic about it on purpose, but it's a serious question. Where'd the name sound/spelling dissonance (at least as perceived by me) come from?
- LibraryLass
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Re: Why is bullette pronounced like that?
Because Gary thought that was how French worked and he wasn't as smart as he thought he was.miqued wrote: ↑Sat Jan 28, 2023 11:17 pm Alternatively: why is it spelled like that?
"Boo-lay". It's clear what to call this land shark, but it's unclear to me how it got its spelling. I've called them bull-etts for as long as I've known about them, having only ever read the word before in either the "Manual" or the "Folio", I forget which. Which came first, the pronunciation or the spelling? Who's the big cheese that said "my lasting legacy shall forthwith be, and I declare, we shall give this monster a soft-ending name and a hard-ending spelling!"? I can't be the only one who's had this question...
I'm partially joking, in the sense that I'm acting a bit dramatic about it on purpose, but it's a serious question. Where'd the name sound/spelling dissonance (at least as perceived by me) come from?
Re: Why is bullette pronounced like that?
Well, at least then the way I imagined it happening is probably not far from how it actually went. LOL
Re: Why is bullette pronounced like that?
Well, since Gary Gygax invented the monster the name and the pronunciation, I think we should blame Dave Arneson since it's more than likely he did and Gary stole the glory
No matter where you go...there you are
Re: Why is bullette pronounced like that?
No matter where you go...there you are
- toddlyons
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Re: Why is bullette pronounced like that?
I guess Tim Kask liked the look of French, but didn't understand how to match spellings with pronunciations. He probably should have asked around. And his editor(s) dropped the ball, too.
Re: Why is bullette pronounced like that?
lol Tim WAS the editor
though that pronunciation was from the Monstrous Manual (2e) so everyone who was actually playing when it was introduced wasn't actually there anymore...
No matter where you go...there you are
- toddlyons
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Re: Why is bullette pronounced like that?
The pitfalls of editors who edit themselves. It's about as effective as lawyers who represent themselves in their own criminal trials. When you know everything, who needs outside advice?
Re: Why is bullette pronounced like that?
Never really looked like French to me.
There is no such word in French. Bulle means bubble and ette tends to mean little.
It sure ain't no little bubble.
In French, name often ends with a silent letter which people tend to pronounce when they anglicize. Bouchard, for example.
In English, you got Bull, which is already more suggestive.
Also, bullet, which is lethal enough, but suggest speed.
In German, bulette is a meatball which is interesting.
There is no such word in French. Bulle means bubble and ette tends to mean little.
It sure ain't no little bubble.
In French, name often ends with a silent letter which people tend to pronounce when they anglicize. Bouchard, for example.
In English, you got Bull, which is already more suggestive.
Also, bullet, which is lethal enough, but suggest speed.
In German, bulette is a meatball which is interesting.
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