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There are several ways to pronounce "Uranus", and none of them are necessarily incorrect. They are, however, appropriate in different settings. If you don't want people to laugh, pronounce the name the way that astronomers and physicists pronounce it: " Yurr-en-us" . If you want to generate a few snickers from your audience, feel free to use the more vulgar pronunciation: " Yurr-ay-nus ", which sounds like "Your anus".
Steps
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Pronounce "Uranus" the way that physicists and astronomers do. If you'd like to be taken seriously, this is the way to go. There are several acceptable pronunciations.
- Say " Yurr-en-us ", " Yurr-ann-us ", " You-ren-us ", or " You-ran-us ". [1] X Research source
- Say " Yurr-in-us ", but be aware that some people may hear this as "Urine us"--less overtly vulgar than "Your anus", to be sure, but still perhaps not the best choice if you want to be taken seriously.
- Say each of these pronunciations aloud and decide which you like best. Practice pronouncing the name in your head when you read it, and practice pronouncing the name in conversation. Over time, your chosen pronunciation will become second-nature to you.
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Listen to documentaries and lectures about the planet Uranus. Take your cues from famous physicists and lecturers, and you will be sure to get the pronunciation right:Advertisement
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Understand why the "Yurr-AY-nus" pronunciation of "Uranus" is sometimes considered vulgar.
- Break the word into three syllables: " Ur ", " An ", and " Us ". Many people pronounce the "A" as "ay" or "ey (a long "A") and re-distribute the syllables as "Ur", "A", and "Nus". This makes the word sound uncannily like "Your anus"--which may be humorous to some people, and offensive to others. [2] X Research source
- The "Yurr-AY-nus" pronunciation may seem especially apt because Uranus is a gas giant, swirling with high concentrations of toxic methane.
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Learn the etymology of the name. "Uranus" or "Ouranos" is the ancient Greek name for the primal sky god, the personification of the sky itself, who was said to be the ancestor of the Greek gods. [3] X Research source
- Most of the planets in our solar system are named after ancient gods, but most of these names are Roman names: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto. Uranus is the only Greek name. [4] X Research source
- Uranus was named thus by the German astronomer Johann Elert Bode. He argued that the Roman god Saturn (equivalent to the Greek titan Cronos) was said to be the father of Jupiter (equivalent to the Greek god Zeus), and the planet Saturn was further from the sun than the planet Jupiter, so the next-furthest planet from the sun should be named for the father of Saturn: Uranus. [5] X Research source
- It is also acceptable to use the Greek name when referring to the planet. Say " Or-ann-os " or " Or-ah-nos ".
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I confidently and correctly pronounce the planet name "Uranus" without feeling embarrassed or stumbling over the word?Stephanie Jeret is a Speech-Language Pathologist based in Northeastern Illinois. She works with children who stutter, have receptive/expressive language difficulties, and have articulation disorders/delays. She also works with adults who present with dysarthria, apraxia, aphasia, executive function disorder, and stuttering. She is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and received their ACE Award for excellence in continuing education. She is also PROMPT Bridge Trained, Lidcombe Trained, and Lee Silverman Voice Therapy Certified. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Brooklyn College.The key is to approach it maturely and calmly. If you find saying it hard because of the "Euro" sound or worry about stumbling, take a deep breath first and go slower when you say it. That can help you articulate it clearly. It also helps to reduce pressure on your mouth parts, like where your tongue meets the roof, especially on the "s" at the end. If you're still unsure or feel self-conscious, practice with a speech coach or use online resources to gain confidence. The goal is to communicate effectively and confidently, no matter the word. Don't let the pronunciation throw you off — just be mature, take your time and practice.
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QuestionHow do I stop myself laughing when I say it?Evie EdgellCommunity AnswerUse another pronunciation if it is stopping you from saying the rest of what you meant to say. To stop laughing, imagine a joke that you've heard lots of times to the point where it isn't funny.
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about pronunciation, check out our in-depth interview with Stephanie Jeret .
References
- ↑ http://www.cgpgrey.com/blog/how-to-pronounce-uranus.html
- ↑ http://space.about.com/od/uranus/f/How-Is-Uranus-Pronounced.htm
- ↑ https://www.etymonline.com/word/uranus
- ↑ http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/our-solar-system/56-our-solar-system/planets-and-dwarf-planets/general-questions/228-who-named-the-planets-and-who-decides-what-to-name-them-beginner
- ↑ http://www.space.com/18704-who-discovered-uranus.html
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