proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

We all know the proper spelling is mecanum (play laugh track here).


But what is the proper pronunciation?

Is it

meh CAN um

or

MEK uh num

??

And, most important of all, what is your authoritative source?

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

I've always wondered, too.
http://translate.google.com/#en/es/mecanum
says it like MEK-un-um.
I've always say "me C an-num," (Somewhere between one and two, with the C enunciated clearly in the first syllable, but the end syllable just being um) and I will continue to pronounce it that way regardless of what is deemed correct. :)

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

I think this may be Ether's first post that contains no math/science (most of which I struggle to understand...). ;)

But, still very worthwhile. I pronounce it the first way, but I have no idea which way is correct. I'm intersted in seeing the consensus.

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

Going with google translate: http://translate.google.com/#sv/en/mecanum

Since Mecanum wheels were invented by a Swede I ran google translate and got: mee - SAH - noom (similar to JohnBot's preference)

In English I got: MEK - a - noom (MEK - uh - num)

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

I believe MEK-un-um is correct, but if you say either most people will know what you're talking about.

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

Andy Baker says "meh-KAN-um" so that's good enough for me.

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

I think "Andy's" pronunciation is "correct", but mE-KAN-um is more fun to say, because it sounds like a caveman threatening to preserve "them" in cylinders of tin.

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

Do you have any more information on the prehistoric members of the ausTIN CANs? We're trying to keep a record of alumni...

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

"MEK-num" No middle syllable.

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

gärbij ;)

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

It might just come down to a preference thing. I say it MEK-uh-num. Our head mentor says the Mek-CAN-um. I hear a lot of people pronounce it as Andrew does. :rolleyes:

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

It's funny, I've always used the second pronunciation until this year, where I got corrected by Craig from 357 (the dude that made the Jester Drive rollers). Not sure if he's right though...

EDIT: someone make a poll of how you pronounce "mecanum". I'd be interested in seeing the results.

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

Well given that 357 was part of the group that developed it, I'd say that has some merit....right?

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

I pronounce it like I forgot how the word "mechanical" ended.

Re: proper pronunciation of "mecanum"
 

I pronounce it meh-kan-um. Same as lorem3k.

(P.S. I really like how you described that! :D )