The pronunciation of the herb chamomile has long been up for debate. While some say it should be pronounced with a long “i” sound as “chamomile”, others argue it should be pronounced with a short “i” like “chamomile.” So which is correct? As with many words in English, both pronunciations are considered acceptable.
The Origins and Evolution of Chamomile
To understand the dueling pronunciations, we must look at the word’s origins and how it has evolved over time. Chamomile comes from the Greek words khamaimelon or khamai meaning “ground apple” and melon meaning “apple.” This refers to the fact that the chamomile plant has a distinct apple-like scent.
The word was first used in the 14th century and entered English via Latin and French. In Medieval Latin, it was spelled camomilla and pronounced with a short “i” sound. However, somewhere along the way, the spelling changed to chamomile to reflect its Greek roots, while maintaining the short “i” sound.
The Long “i” Pronunciation Emerges
In the 16th century, some scholars began using a long “i” pronunciation instead to better match the word’s spelling. This “chamomile” pronunciation started to gain traction in academic circles.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, chamomile was the dominant spelling in both England and America. However, the public largely stuck with saying “chamomile” while academics preferred “chamomile.”
Both Pronunciations Remain Common Today
Nowadays, both pronunciations are widely used and accepted in the English-speaking world. Though the long “i” was once the scholarly standard, the original short “i” sound remains very common. This is likely because the short “i” pronunciation held on in the vernacular while the long “i” emerged later in academic settings.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the “chamomile” pronunciation is still favored in the U.S. while Brits tend to prefer “chamomile.” However, the other pronunciation is also considered acceptable in both versions of English.
Other Explanations for the Dueling Pronunciations
Beyond the word’s evolution, there are some other hypotheses for why both pronunciations came about and persisted:
- Regional dialects – Accents and regional dialects may have played a role in the different pronunciations. The long “i” may have emerged from British English while Americans largely kept the original short “i” sound.
- Complex spelling – The word’s unusual spelling compared to its pronunciation may have led some to start pronouncing it in a way that better matched its spelling on the page. This can happen with other words too like “often.”
- Multiple botanical varieties – There are a few different botanical varieties of chamomile with slightly different names like Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Matricaria recutita (German chamomile). This may have led to inconsistencies in pronunciation.
Is One Pronunciation More Correct Than the Other?
Because both pronunciations have such a long history of use and acceptance, neither can definitively be said to be “more correct.” Even language authorities like dictionaries acknowledge both pronunciations as standard.
Some common rules of thumb that point to equal correctness:
- Wide usage – Both pronunciations have been used widely for centuries by both academics and the general public.
- Acceptance over time – Neither pronunciation has fully overtaken or replaced the other, indicating both have staying power.
- Consistency within dialects – Speakers tend to use one pronunciation or the other consistently, rather than switching between them randomly.
Rather than one being right and one wrong, they exist as accepted variants on the same word. Both have stood the test of time and use without correction from language authorities.
Regional and Generational Preferences
Though both are equally “correct”, there are some trends as to which pronunciation is preferred in different regions and age groups.
| Region/Age | Most Common Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| U.S. | chamomile (short “i”) |
| U.K. | chamomile (long “i”) |
| Australia | chamomile (long “i”) |
| Older Generations (Baby Boomers+) | chamomile (short “i”) |
| Younger Generations (Millennials, Gen Z) | No strong preference |
So while Americans tend to prefer “chamomile”, Brits are more likely to say “chamomile.” Older generations lean towards the short “i” while younger people have less of a consensus. However, these are just trends and the other pronunciation remains well-known and used in all these groups.
Is the Pronunciation Changing Over Time?
Language is always slowly evolving, so we may wonder if one pronunciation is gaining dominance. However, data indicates the pronunciations have remained fairly steady in use.
Google Ngram data, which tracks the use of words and pronunciations in books over time, shows little change in the percentages of “chamomile” vs. “chamomile” over the past 200 years. This suggests neither variant is overtaking the other, at least in written material.
Spoken language may be evolving differently, but corpus data would be needed to study shifts in speech. For now, the pronunciations seem to coexist at relatively equal levels. Only time will tell if one eventually becomes clearly dominant. But given they’ve persisted for centuries already, a resolution may still be a long way off.
Tips for Knowing Which to Use
When using the word chamomile yourself, here are some tips for deciding which pronunciation to go with:
- Stick to what’s familiar – Use whichever pronunciation you’re most accustomed to based on your region and what you often hear.
- Mirror others – If you hear someone else say “chamomile” or “chamomile”, you can follow their lead and match their pronunciation.
- Consider the audience – Brits may expect “chamomile” more while Americans are used to hearing “chamomile.” Use this to guide your choice if it’s relevant.
- Use both – Alternating between the pronunciations is also perfectly acceptable since both are right!
Following these tips, don’t worry too much about “correctness” and opt for the version that sounds most natural for you and your audience. Consistency is key.
The Verdict on Chamomile vs. Chamomile
In the end, the debate between “chamomile” and “chamomile” leads to an anticlimactic conclusion – that both are equally right! This irregular word has maintained its two common pronunciations for centuries.
While individual speakers often have a preference, broader trends show both variants standing the test of time in different English dialects around the world. Neither can be considered the only correct choice.
So brew a cup of whichever you please – chamomile or chamomile – and rest easy knowing both have the seal of approval from linguists and grammar enthusiasts alike. The tricky herb name is just one of many words with split personalities in English. Its persistent pronunciation duality adds to the rich complexity of the language.
Conclusion
The pronunciation of chamomile as either “chamomile” or “chamomile” has an extensive history dating back to the word’s origins in Greek and Medieval Latin. While “chamomile” was once favored in academia, “chamomile” endured in vernacular speech. Today, dictionaries and experts agree both are commonly used and accepted variant pronunciations of the same word. Minor regional and generational trends exist, with Americans and older generations leaning towards “chamomile.” However, the data shows neither is overtaking or replacing the other over time. In casual use, speakers should opt for the variant that feels most natural based on their own speech patterns. Either way, rest assured you can’t go wrong pronouncing this tricky herb name.
