As you probably don't know, we Dutch techies have an ongoing discussion about the pronuncation of the word router.

Most people (about 2/3) prefer pronouncing the "ou" as the "ow" in browser, but others strongly believe that it's to be pronounced like the "ou" in "route 66".

I'd like to ask only native english speakers to vote, because you guys are supposed to know the right answer ;)

Thanks for helping us Dutchies out ! :)

ou doesn't really work for most people. Your other choice should have been "oo", not "ou" as "ou" is prounounced "ow" in english.

Originally posted by freakb0y
ou doesn't really work for most people. Your other choice should have been "oo", not "ou" as "ou" is prounounced "ow" in english.

Okay, "oo" as in root would probably have made a better example. If any moderator happens to read this, could you please change the poll option for me ?

Oh. Only native english speakers.... :\

Originally posted by T_E_O
Okay, "oo" as in root would probably have made a better example. If any moderator happens to read this, could you please change the poll option for me ? Sure. :)

And I'll vote for your first example.

Even though, I believe the correct pronunciation when used in conjunction with Computer Sciences is your second example (or: either/or). (as if that helps :D )

However, the first example is more common.

As far as I know, the correct pronunciation is "rooter" (at least here in Australia), but the "commonly accepted" pronunciation is rowter - so that's how I say it.

-Shaun

People give me funny looks if I say it like "rooter". So I have to say rowter...

Heh....Uhm, depending on where you are here in the good ol' you ess of ay, Route 66 might be pronounced "root 66" or "rowt 66".

In computing terms I go for 'rooter' and that is definetly more popular in the UK... but all Americans I have spoken to say 'rowter'.

Well we're all posh people here in rich South-London, so we say rooter. All depends on where you're from, to me rowter sounds american. Plus ROUTE is pronounced ROOT, and since a ROUTER is a device to provide a ROUTE, it naturally should be a ROOTER.

Rooting for it? :D

I've always heard and used rowter, as in "it routes the packets".

In carpentry ROUT / ROUTER is pronounced as 'rowt' / 'rowter' , meaning to carve out with the the router tool

In computing I believe it should be pronounced as 'rooter' because its meaning is similar to the route as used in maps and roads.

According to netlingo.com the definition of Router is:

An electronic device that connects two networks. For example, this is what connects a local network to an ISP for Internet access. In a packet-switching network such as the Internet, it is one of the two most basic devices, with a host. Routers receive packets of data, filter them, and forward them to a final destination using the best route.

I think Americans would associate 'rooter' with a sewer snake quicker than they would with a piece of electronic gear.

Its difficult to say how it should be pronounced as the English language has too many variations in sounds...

e.g.

You - "ou" sounding like "oo"

and

Our - "ou" sounding like "ow"

I used to pronounce it as your second option. But when i started interacting with geeks, i naturally switched. :D

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=router

Pronunciation on that pag e ;).

Why do we want to worry about the
"pronunciation". :D it is doing a wonderful job

http://m-w.com -> search for 'router'. It offers a pronounciation for download too.

Originally posted by sanjiv
http://m-w.com -> search for 'router'. It offers a pronounciation for download too.

Definetly and American version there, I think it would be said as number 2 if that was an English site.