Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1909 — “GARAGE.” [ARTICLE]

“GARAGE.”

The above word has probably caused more trouble to the English speaking race since it was imported from some foreign locality than has any word of similar brevityMn a similar length of time. And in view of the fact that the word is coming more and more into use, and seems to have settled down here in the midst of our language with the intention of remaining for a considerable period, it is imperative that our public schools, high schools and colleges take up the task of educating the rising generation in its correct pronunciation. The present generation is probably hopeless. We doubt whether it will ever be possible to sandpaper the edges off from the word as it is now commonly handed out by soite of our most worthy citizens. “Garage” is French., Hence it is safe to assume that it has some soft and alluring pronunciation which the American tongue does not naturally seek. The American makes a lunge at the word, and when it falls from his lips, mangled and mutilated, it has the accent on the first syllable, and pounds the way the word “carriage” would sound if the “c” was replaced by a “g.” There are various other incorrect ways of pronouncing “garage.” You can pick up quite a nice collection with very little study and application. But there is one correct way of saying it. Speak it as though it were spelled “garazh,” the accent on the last syllable, and both first and second “a” as in “father.” Make the finished product rhyme with “mirage,” and that’s it-—Salina (Kan.) Journal.