Does anyone know what 'fortay' means?

[JanetRose]

?? Thanks!

 

[KathyTX]

Do you mean "forte"?

It means strength or talent, in music it means loud or strong.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Do you mean "forte?" If so, it means something that you excel at, as in:

"Dance is my forte"

 

[rayelias]

I presume you're referring to "forte" meaning someone's "specialty"

The PROPER pronunciation is like "fort" (not "fortAY", like 95% of people mispronounce).

 

[Papa Deuce]

Do you mean "forte"?

It means strength or talent, in music it means loud or strong.

what she said.....

 

[JanetRose]

thanks!

 

[escape]

The PROPER pronunciation is like "fort" (not "fortAY", like 95% of people mispronounce).

Hmmm. I didn't know that. So, I had to look it up. Two different dictionary sources that I found stated that either pronunciation is acceptable.

 

[MsLeFever]

I presume you're referring to "forte" meaning someone's "specialty"

The PROPER pronunciation is like "fort" (not "fortAY", like 95% of people mispronounce).

you just made me do research - and finals are done!

I've heard it pronouced both ways - "fort" is french and "fortay" is italian (that's how it is pronounced in music)

here's what dictionary.com says....

for·te1 ( P ) Pronunciation Key (fôrt, fôrt, frt)
n.
Something in which a person excels.
The strong part of a sword blade, between the middle and the hilt.


[French fort, from Old French, strong, from Latin fortis. See fort.]
Synonyms: forte,metier, specialty, thing
These nouns denote something at which a person is particularly skilled: Writing fiction is her forte. The theater is his métier. The professor's specialty was the study of ancient languages. Mountain climbing is really my thing.

Usage Note: The word forte, coming from French fort, should properly be pronounced with one syllable, like the English word fort. Common usage, however, prefers the two-syllable pronunciation, (fôrt), which has been influenced possibly by the music term forte borrowed from Italian. In a recent survey a strong majority of the Usage Panel, 74 percent, preferred the two-syllable pronunciation. The result is a delicate situation; speakers who are aware of the origin of the word may wish to continue to pronounce it as one syllable but at an increasing risk of puzzling their listeners.

 

[rayelias]

I stand corrected. (Which happens way to frequently for my fragile ego.)

 

[goofygirl]

Knowing how to say forte isn't my forte, lol.

 

[froglady]

I presume you're referring to "forte" meaning someone's "specialty"

The PROPER pronunciation is like "fort" (not "fortAY", like 95% of people mispronounce).

According to Merriam-Webster ( please note that I don't have the patientience to add the specific pronunciation symbols, so will spell the word phonetically)

In forte we have a word derived from French that in its "strong point" sense has no satisfactory pronunciation. Usage writers have denigrated fortay and forty because they reflect the influence of the Italian derived fortay." (which is the correct pronunciation when talking about music) "Their recommended fort however, does not exactly reflect French either; the French would write the word le fort and would rhyme it with English for.So you can take your choice, knowing that someone somewhere will dislike whichever variation you choose. All are standard, however." It goes on to say that the British English uses both, while American English uses fortay.

So even though it MIGHT be more "proper," using fort could be considered an affectation, unless you're British.

Sorry...I didn't see the above post saying basically the same thing!

 

[Reflection]

And perchance it is a hip hop term for someone 1 year older than 39.

 

[DVCLiz]

And perchance it is a hip hop term for someone 1 year older than 39.

By my calculations, in two more years I'll be in my fif-tays...

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I think that's when the beer comes in a really big bottle.

 

[YourMajesty]

piano forte (fortay)...reminds me of Sense and Sensibility

 

[DVC Sadie]

By my calculations, in two more years I'll be in my fif-tays...

You guys crack me up!

 

[Reflection]

By my calculations, in two more years I'll be in my fif-tays...

So, will I, DVCLiz, so will I.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I stand corrected. (Which happens way to frequently for my fragile ego.)

That should be "too".....