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maroon


This is a peculiarity of Australian pronunciation, and I believe it is found all throughout Australia - 'maroon', as in the colour, is pronounced 'ma-roan', whereas to be marooned is pronounced rather more like you would expect it to be. This is in contrast to all other English speaking cultures, and no one knows from where it originated. Barry Humphries wrote a poem about this quirk of Aussie speech once - and no one here got it.: What a lovely ma-roan cardigan you are wearing, Beryl.

Editor's comments: Perhaps there is some regional variation in pronunciation in Australia. Do you say "ma-roon" or "ma-roan"?

Contributor's comments: You're quite right; the pronunciation of maroon as "ma-roan" for the colour is nationwide, but still wrong. There is no question (check with OED) that "maroon" is and has always been correct for both the colour and the infinitive "to strand."

Editor's comments: It should be noted that the OED is only recording the British English pronunciation. In Australia the most common way of saying it seems to be "ma-roan". It's one of those things that go up to make regional variations.

Contributor's comments: In Adelaide, the colour is pronounced "ma-roan".

Contributor's comments: Growing up in Brisbane it was last syllable was always as in moon. In Melbourne everybody seemed to use the "moan" pronunciation.