Zellers in the United States?

[OBCT]

Yeah, I also say 'zed'.

While we're on the subject of 'zee' vs. 'zed', I remember a humorous incident a couple of years back when Heinz was introducing new caps for their ketchup bottles, and after trying out the new design in the States for a few months with success, they hoped to saturate the Canadian market with the same product with similar success.

What makes this humorous? Well, the name they came up with for the new design was "EZ Squeeze" (obviously meaning "Easy Squeeze"), but they realized the possible misunderstanding for some Canadians as "E-Zed Squeeze" just before the projected release date in our country, and ended up delaying the product's release a number of weeks so as not to confuse us (apparently quite slow) Canadians.

I found the whole story hilarious, but as much as Canadians do pronounce it 'zed', I think the majority of us in the Gret White North are clever enough to catch the intended rhyme scheme and not be deeply offended by a little catch phrase.

Now, just to make fun of the whole thing, I always make a point of saying, "Would you mind passing over the ketchup with the E-Zed Sqeeze top?" ... "Thanks."

[burn_baby_burn]

I worked in Saskatchewan breifly a few years ago. I was on the phone giving a person a name and number. They asked me to spell it. I spelled it and they asked me if I was American. I said "no, why"? They said that I said "Zee" instead of "Zed". That kind of got me to thinking. Because I had never had anyone ask me that before. And I wondered if Albertan's said "Zee" and people from Saskatchewan said "Zed". Kind of like calling a hoody a "bunny hug".

[Hack&Lube]

I always pronounce it Zed unless I am singing the Alphabet.

I mean, it only makes sense to sing Q R S, T U V, W, X, Y and ZEE now you know your A, B, C's, next time won't you sing with me?

Zed makes no sense in musical sense of that song.

[WesternCanadaKing]

There was an argument going on about this in my Social Studies class a few weeks ago.

This kid from America was arguing that it's stupid to say 'zed' as it's pronounced zebra and not zedbra.

I found it very funny, seeing as the pronounciation of a word is dependant on the vowels in the word, not the pronounciation of the letter. When I pointed this out to him he switched to a "Canadians are just stupid" argument.

Good times.

[Flames in 07]

Most canadian retailers could not begin to retail in America. Bad foreign policy, excellent retailing.

Ask Canadian Tire.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

There was an argument going on about this in my Social Studies class a few weeks ago.

This kid from America was arguing that it's stupid to say 'zed' as it's pronounced zebra and not zedbra.

I found it very funny, seeing as the pronounciation of a word is dependant on the vowels in the word, not the pronounciation of the letter. When I pointed this out to him he switched to a "Canadians are just stupid" argument.

Good times.

LOL

The benefit of pronouncing it the Canadian way is clear. There are so many other letters that rhyme with ZEE (B,C,D,E,G,P,T and V) that pronouncing it ZED just alleviates one more possible miscommunication. Same reason radio users say NINER instead of NINE.

That said, I pronounce it ZEE because that's how I was taught here in the States. I've been to Zeller's in Prince George, to stay on topic.

Never heard of one down here and I grew up in a 'border town'.

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I can't think of anyone I know who says "Zee" normally. Was there a strong American presence around where you grew up?

Not that I know of.....I was born and raised in Alberta, lived in Calgary, Edmonton, and Fort McMurray from '78-'01.....I just dont remember many people saying Zed. OILFAN (my bro) ...do you say Zed?

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

This kid from America was arguing that it's stupid to say 'zed' as it's pronounced zebra and not zedbra.

Maybe you should ask him if w is pronounced "weh" in the US since it's pronounced water not double-u-ater.