How is "Ellerslie" pronounced?

October 6, 2008 6:52 PM

How is "Ellerslie" pronounced?

For years I've been pronouncing the last syllable as a long E sound ("ellers-lee"). Is this correct, or is it a long I sound ("ellers-lie", to rhyme with "fly")?

posted by good in a vacuum to writing & language (5 comments total)

Here in Baltimore Ellerslie Avenue is pronounced "ellers-lee." But considering how we pronounce "Thames" (among other things) you may want to hold out for a second opinion.
posted by weebil at 7:03 PM on October 6, 2008

A second opinion. Definitely "Ellerslee". I have never heard anyone rhyme it with fly.
I am at work right now in Ellerslie, Auckland. According to this it is named Ellerslie due to a clerical error.
posted by Miss Otis' Egrets at 7:26 PM on October 6, 2008

The neighborhood in Edmonton (Canada) is ELL-ur-zlee.
posted by rokusan at 7:57 PM on October 6, 2008

Another vote for Ell-ers-lee. Coming from another Aucklander who passes through the suburb of Ellerslie on the way home.
posted by chrisbucks at 9:08 PM on October 6, 2008

Thanks everyone, I guess it's a unanimous decision. When I was composing the question I had Ellerslie, NZ in mind, so I marked Miss Otis' Egrets' and chrisbucks' answers as best just to have the thread marked as resolved. But thanks to you all!
posted by good in a vacuum at 11:51 PM on October 6, 2008