How DO you say that word ..... PAEAN ?

I'm giving a recital next month - a mixed programme of theatre organ and classical organ using two instruments - their new Makin and our Technics - and as a bit of a "crossover" I'm playing PAEAN by Olifant Chuckerbutty ...no, really!!!
a.k.a. Wilson Olifant - a theatre organist and classical organist.

I don't want to mis-pronounce the title - one of my pet hates.....mis-pronounciation.

We attended a recital a few weeks ago by a well-established organist/performer who played a Serenade by Weedor and a Tacarto by Shigoot.......TOO MUCH IN ONE EVENING

I suppose you're going to tell me it can be said in different ways

Pay Anne.

'ow mootch?

Thanks H G

According to my dictionary, the first syllable (which has the stress) is 'pea' and the second an unstressed 'an', like a schwa.

Id have said pea-un
Like in Peony.

How about PAIN - like the Leighton version

Knew it!!

Can we take a vote later ?

Yes, don't know what the real answer is. You can always mumble into the mic with a vaguely P sounding word at that point. I've been known to do this with other words!

I'm still reeling from the latest Frank Skinner podcast which informs me I've been mispronouncing John Le Mesurier (of Dad's Army fame) wrong for all these years.

The dictionary really is very clear on the matter...

You say potato, I say potato etc etc....

who does say pot-are-toe?

Oi, you! Want any votes?

My Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English says you pronounce it "pi-an" with the "pi" rhyming with "happy" and the stress on the first syllable.


My Chambers Concise Dictionary says you pronounce it "pea'an" with the "pea" rhyming with "lean" and the stress on the first syllable.

My dictionary says it's to be pronounced as in European

I guess I'm just a bit posh....

Or possibly just a bit wrong....??

Pay/pea? Close enough for me!

(definitely a bit posh! )

Agree with pea-an.

And, while I've got my anorak on, it's Oliphant!

Or a bit West-country. Aaarr.

Ooo-aaar. Thaaaat wood beee it, m'dear!

*HG accepts that he has probably slightly mispronounced Paean for many years now. *

Result!!!

So, Diapason will be playing 'Payanne' by Elephant Chucklebutter.

Glad we've got that sorted.

*fails to see any problem*

Please excuse my ignorance...what is a Paean?

I think its a song of praise.

????? means "Song of Praise or "Song of Triumph". Occasionally "Song of Thanks". (Edit: I typed in the Greek word for Paean, but the machine does not like Greek and changed it into question marks. Hmmm!!!)

There is also a lesser meaning, associated with Paion, who is mentioned in the Fifth Book of the Iliad as being the healing God.

From the rows that go on in churches, often over music, Paion could well be kept quite busy!

Barry Williams

What fun - all through a simple question. Huge thanks to all who have offered their (dubious ) advice.

I shall keep it simple in the announcement, but the background information is most useful.

Wilson Oliphant/Olifant - Oliphant Chuckerbutty was not only organist at the Angel Theatre, Islington, but also assistant organist at Southwark Cathedral. He was held in high esteem by his peers, both on the theatre organ side of things as well as the classical

Thanks again

d



I have it in print spelt BOTH ways!

Thank you Barry and John.