Buoy

[Chrisjs]

Seems to me that if you do not like the English "boy" pronunciation then it should be "boo-oy" which if you swallow the 'oo" sound comes out close to "boy". Do not see how to get to "boo-eee". To each his own, but main thing is to make sure you know where they are and do not hit one!!

 

[ben2go]

So you can bewie someone's spirits?

Zactly.

 

[BandB]

Neither boy or boowee.

Bwoy.

More than two syllables, but less than one.

You may want to recheck your math.

 

[Chrisjs]

Yes, I think you've nailed it!! BWOY it is!!! Minimal pronunciation of the "u" sound.

 

[Brisyboy]

Boy oh boy you foreigners speak funny. If someone over here called it a booee everyone would think you were talking about a knife (as in booee knife)

 

[Northern Spy]

If I was good at math I'd be an actual engineer, instead of "really mechanically inclined".

You may want to recheck your math.

 

[BandB]

If I was good at math I'd be an actual engineer, instead of "really mechanically inclined".

Well, impossible to be more than two syllables and less than one. I think perhaps you meant more than one and less than two.

Now, for us, it's boo-ee. If for no other reason, I'd prefer that simply to avoid any confusion with boy.

 

[koliver]

Boy oh boy you foreigners speak funny. If someone over here called it a booee everyone would think you were talking about a knife (as in booee knife)

Bow-ee knife

bwoy (sort of).

 

[BruceK]

Boy oh boy you foreigners speak funny. If someone over here called it a booee everyone would think you were talking about a knife (as in booee knife)

Or David Bowie. Boy does just fine here.

 

[Northern Spy]

Well, impossible to be more than two syllables and less than one. I think perhaps you meant more than one and less than two.



Now, for us, it's boo-ee. If for no other reason, I'd prefer that simply to avoid any confusion with boy.

What I mean and what I say are often wildly disparate.

 

[O C Diver]

I use Boo-ee. Probably a better pronunciation over the radio in an emergency, "you need to leave that boo-ee to port!"

Ted

 

[menzies]

What I mean and what I say are often wildly disparate.

.... or wildly desperate!

 

[Nickair]

At least one, but usually two syllables. Boy//Bu-wee

Always fit as heard from from travels, Fl up to MD and from CA to WA and into Canada. Depends on where and who you are talking to.

 

[markpierce]

What I mean and what I say are often wildly disparate.

I understand. It is common for me to think west and mean east, as well as saying north and meaning south.

 

[Robin]

Boy oh boy you foreigners speak funny. If someone over here called it a booee everyone would think you were talking about a knife (as in booee knife)

booeee is best kept for marks off 'Camp David'.

 

[ben2go]

In my area of the south we pronounce boy as bah E and buoy as bew we.

 

[Leo Reise]

This discussion sounds like a good basis for a song. It could be about the way one says potatoes or tomatoes. Oh wait - that might already have been done.
We have got way too much time on our hands.
Have a great New Year folks.
For us with “hard” water we are looking forward to spring. For the southern folks, enjoy the evening.