The "n" in "restaurateur" vanished due to a simplification of the French language over time. Originally spelled "restauranteur," the word derived from the French verb "restaurer" (to restore). The noun form, referring to someone who restores, was formed by adding "-ateur." The intrusive "n," present in older spellings, was likely influenced by the word "restaurant," but etymologically incorrect and eventually dropped, leaving the modern spelling "restaurateur."
BritCSS is a humorous CSS framework that replaces American English spellings in CSS properties and values with their British English equivalents. It aims to provide a more "civilised" (British English spelling) styling experience, swapping terms like color for colour and center for centre. While functionally identical to standard CSS, it serves primarily as a lighthearted commentary on the dominance of American English in web development.
Hacker News users generally found BritCSS humorous, but impractical. Several commenters pointed out the inherent problems with trying to localize CSS, given its global nature and the established convention of using American English. Some suggested it would fragment the community and create unnecessary complexity in workflows. One commenter jokingly suggested expanding the idea to include other localized CSS versions, like Australian English, further highlighting the absurdity of the project. Others questioned the motivation behind targeting American English specifically, suggesting it stemmed from a place of anti-American sentiment. There's also discussion about the technical limitations and challenges of such an undertaking, like handling existing libraries and frameworks. While some appreciated the satire, the consensus was that BritCSS wasn't a serious proposal.
Summary of Comments ( 39 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43163466
HN commenters largely agree that the "n" pronunciation in "restaurateur" is disappearing, attributing it to simplification and the influence of American English. Some suggest it's a natural language evolution, pointing out other words with silent or changed pronunciations over time. A few users argue the "n" should be pronounced, citing etymology and personal preference. One commenter notes the pronunciation might signal class or pretension. Several simply express surprise or newfound awareness of the shift. There's a brief tangential discussion on spelling pronunciations in general and the role of dictionaries in documenting vs. prescribing usage.
The Hacker News post "What Happened to the N in Restaurateur?" with the ID 43163466 has generated several comments discussing the etymology and pronunciation of the word "restaurateur."
Several commenters delve into the linguistic history of the word, tracing its French origins and evolution. One points out that the word comes from the French verb "restaurer," meaning "to restore," and that the "n" is preserved in the present participle "restaurant," used as a noun to refer to the establishment. This commenter also notes the connection to the restorative properties of rich broths historically served in such establishments.
Another commenter discusses the pronunciation, noting that the "n" is often dropped or nasalized in modern French pronunciation, which might contribute to the confusion about its presence in the spelling. This comment sparks further discussion about the subtleties of French pronunciation and its influence on English.
The pronunciation theme continues with another user mentioning that the "n" is pronounced when the word "restaurateur" is spoken by French people, although the vowel sound before it is nasal. This commenter contrasts this with the English pronunciation where the "n" tends to disappear entirely.
One commenter offers a concise and humorous explanation: "The 'n' went to the same place as the 's' in 'island'." This highlights the seemingly arbitrary nature of English spelling and pronunciation.
A couple of commenters share anecdotal experiences of encountering misspellings of the word, particularly the omission of the "n." This suggests that the confusion about the word's spelling is fairly common.
Finally, a commenter references Noah Webster's attempts to simplify American English spelling, implying that perhaps "restaurateur" was a target but ultimately resisted simplification. This ties the discussion back to the broader history of English language evolution.
In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post explore the linguistic history of "restaurateur," the evolution of its pronunciation in both French and English, and the common confusion surrounding its spelling. The discussion offers a blend of linguistic analysis, anecdotal observations, and humorous comparisons.