How do you pronounce waterstones? That’s how you should REALLY say the UK store’s name
How do you pronounce waterstones? A heated debate ensues as people realize others are saying VERY differently
A man has sparked an online debate after asking people how they pronounce the name of British book chain Waterstones.
Although most people split it into its two words, “water” and “stones,” THE Reddit The user explained how to say “Waterstuns”.
Earlier this week, the anonymous man turned to the internet for help as he debated phonetics with his wife.
He explained, “Me and the woman are engaged in a debate about this.”
“I say ‘Waterstuns’ like Ray Winstone or Sam Johnstone and she says ‘Waterstones’ like water and the word for stones.
A Brit has sparked an online debate after asking people how they pronounce “Waterstones” (stock image used)
“Any thought of clarifying the issue would be magical.” Cheers.’
More than a thousand commenters left comments on the forum – but the majority were stunned by his request.
One joked: “Were you dropped on your head as a kid sir?”
Another added: “Ahahahaha.” But seriously, who the heck says water is numbing? Apart from OP of course.’
“Your wife is right as always,” wrote a third.
People had even cited ads from the store confirming the pronunciation as “water stones.”
However, there were a handful of people who showed solidarity behind the man, which many attributed to her accent.
“We are a Scottish family,” replied one. “We all say Waterstuns.”
When we talk about the famous bookstore chain, many of us will probably split it into two words – “water” and “stones”. However, one Redditer posited that he says “waterstuns” like Ray Winstone or Sam Johnstone
A second said: “Oh thank goodness it’s not just me!”
“All my friends used to piss me off about this thing all the time.”
“I had no idea other people would say ‘water anesthetic’!!”
Another regular visitor to the store agreed.
“I usually visit a branch every week and I’m with you,” they said. “Water stuns.”
More than a thousand commenters took the floor, and reactions ranged from outraged to supportive
However, it seems that the plot thickened as others elaborated on the store’s etymology.
“Funnily enough, the store is absolutely called ‘Waterstone’s,’ as in ‘Water and Stones,'” wrote one. “Your own marketing and old TV commercials suggest so.”
In a 2019 podcast with Georgina Godwin, the host pronounced both the brand and founder’s name “Water-Stone.”
The man later edited his original post, adding, “Seems like the majority is against me on this one.”
“Whoever judges me simply thinks, ‘May he who has not sinned cast the first blow.'”
According to its website, Waterstones prides itself on being “an icon of Britain’s cultural landscape” and employs more than 3,000 booksellers in around 280 locations.
The store’s history began in 1982 after Tim Waterstone founded it. Today, the chain is known for its many quaint shops, some of which even have cafes.