How do YOU pronounce the words "hero" and "zero"?

[KristaTX]

How do you pronounce the words "zero" and "hero", and what state/region are you in? There is no right or wrong answer (How's that for trying to nip an argument in the bud ?). I'm just curious because I am fascinated with language, and I've learned a lot in my 11 years on the DIS.

I'm in Texas (originally Oklahoma) and I say and mostly hear zee-row and hee-row, equal emphasis on both syllables with a long E sound and the R being more attached to the last syllable.

On TV and commercials sometimes I hear people pronounce them "ZERE-oh" and "HERE-oh", emphasis on the first syllable with a shorter E sound and the R more attached to the first syllable.

I have the feeling that my way is going to be the more southern way, but I really am not sure if it's a northern/southern thing.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I don't pay attention to how I say zero sorry but I say hero like the second way you did

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I pronounce them ZERE-oh and HERE-oh, and life in So Cal

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Just like they do in "Hercules"

"From HERE-o to ZERE-o in no time flat"

Early years in California, then New England.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I pronounce them ZERE-oh and HERE-oh, and life in So Cal

I do it the way you do it know that I think of it

 

[PollyannaMom]

I pronounce them ZERE-oh and HERE-oh...

This way for me as well. I come from upstate New York, and currently live in Massachusetts.

 

[shoney]

zere-oh and here-oh for me too...from a long islander!

 

[Dan Murphy]

ZERE-oh and HERE-oh

Chicago

 

[gunka]

ZERE-oh and HERE-oh

Southern California

 

[Anne34]

Here-o and zere-o.

Originally from Wisconsin, now Chicago suburbs.

 

[Disworldluv]

This way for me as well. I come from upstate New York, and currently live in Massachusetts.

Western Massachusetts pronounces these words like you.

 

[Ruthiesmama]

Hee-row and Zee-row

North Texas

 

[scrapquitler]

How do you pronounce the words "zero" and "hero", and what state/region are you in? There is no right or wrong answer (How's that for trying to nip an argument in the bud ?). I'm just curious because I am fascinated with language, and I've learned a lot in my 11 years on the DIS.

I'm in Texas (originally Oklahoma) and I say and mostly hear zee-row and hee-row, equal emphasis on both syllables with a long E sound and the R being more attached to the last syllable.

On TV and commercials sometimes I hear people pronounce them "ZERE-oh" and "HERE-oh", emphasis on the first syllable with a shorter E sound and the R more attached to the first syllable.

I have the feeling that my way is going to be the more southern way, but I really am not sure if it's a northern/southern thing.

I'm in Ct. I always have trouble answering these pronunciation things but I would say I use more like the Zere- oh/ here-oh pronunciation you saw in those commercials

 

[Southernmiss]

ZERE-oh and HERE-oh

Same. South Mississippi

 

[POPCITY]

Zere-o and here-o, central Texas

 

[minkydog]

HEE-ro and ZEE-ro. I live in the Deep South.

 

[cybrkitn]

Oops. I chose "other" but it should have been the second choice. I pronounce it Zere-oh and Here-oh.

 

[PollyannaMom]

P.S. - Is this Schoolhouse Rock song running through anyone else's head now?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxYsgRsNg2s

 

[KristaTX]

P.S. - Is this Schoolhouse Rock song running through anyone else's head now?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxYsgRsNg2s

It's pronounced both ways in that!!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Born and raised in SW Michigan, have lived in central Kentucky since college.

I say zere-oh and here-oh.