"A historic" or "AN historic"?

[dcdub]

I've been hearing "an" used before the word "historic" a lot lately. I first heard it in a commercial for some local event celebrating the life of MLK Jr last month, which I found to be initially infuriating, then somewhat humorous. THEN I heard Ben Bailey of Cash Cab use it, so it really got me wondering. What do you guys think/use?

[mjkoehler]

"an" is correct English I believe.

Plus Headdy (that's Headly) Lamar used an in Blazing Saddles so it must be right.

[megalicious]

"a historic?"

Also: it irritates the hell out of me when people say "historical." All you need is "historic."

[ALady]

I think either is acceptable in modern usage.

[AMightyCaporal]

"a historic?"

Also: it irritates the hell out of me when people say "historical." All you need is "historic."

;D that joke is historical!  ;D

[capt. scotty]

I thought "an" is only used when the first letter of the word that follows begins with a vowel?  :-?

[Penny Lane]

I thought "an" is only used when the first letter of the word that follows begins with a vowel?  :-?

No, Capt. Maybe you collaborated w/your friends too much on your take home English exams.  ;) ;D  

[capt. scotty]

I thought "an" is only used when the first letter of the word that follows begins with a vowel?  :-?

No, Capt. Maybe you collaborated w/your friends too much on your take home English exams.  ;) ;D  

English was never my strength...I think the last book I willingly read was a R.L. Stine Goosebumps book.

Still, I was pretty sure that was the correct usage of "an"...when can/can't "an" be used then Professor Penny Lane?

[Penny Lane]

I thought "an" is only used when the first letter of the word that follows begins with a vowel?  :-?

No, Capt. Maybe you collaborated w/your friends too much on your take home English exams.  ;) ;D  

English was never my strength...I think the last book I willingly read was a R.L. Stine Goosebumps book.

Still, I was pretty sure that was the correct usage of "an"...when can/can't "an" be used then Professor Penny Lane?

that rule is correct, but w/every rule there are exceptions--i think also w/certain soft "H"s ...like 'honorary'...

[Ruckus]

http://www.betterwritingskills.com/tip-w005.html

[vespachick]

I thought "an" is only used when the first letter of the word that follows begins with a vowel?  :-?

No, Capt. Maybe you collaborated w/your friends too much on your take home English exams.  ;) ;D  

English was never my strength...I think the last book I willingly read was a R.L. Stine Goosebumps book.

Still, I was pretty sure that was the correct usage of "an"...when can/can't "an" be used then Professor Penny Lane?

Shouldn't it be: an R.L. Stine Goosebumps book?

[Crispy]

"a historic?"

Also: it irritates the hell out of me when people say "historical." All you need is "historic."

Does anyone else like to say, "Let's stop at that hysterical marker up ahead," when driving down the highway?

vespa:  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[TheBigChicken]

I thought "an" is only used when the first letter of the word that follows begins with a vowel?  :-?

No, Capt. Maybe you collaborated w/your friends too much on your take home English exams.  ;) ;D  

English was never my strength...I think the last book I willingly read was a R.L. Stine Goosebumps book.

Still, I was pretty sure that was the correct usage of "an"...when can/can't "an" be used then Professor Penny Lane?

Shouldn't it be: an R.L. Stine Goosebumps book?

;D ;D ;D

[ALady]

"a historic?"

Also: it irritates the hell out of me when people say "historical." All you need is "historic."

Does anyone else like to say, "Let's stop at that hysterical marker up ahead," when driving down the highway?

Yes   ;D

[dcdub]

Yeah the rule is to use 'an' before vowels or vowel sounds like "R.L." or "hour" but who the hell says "istoric"? I think I would just punch someone straight in the mouth if I heard them say "istoric". I have a really hard time holding back when people say "umble" but I draw the line at "istoric", you're gonna get punched if you go there. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

[kydiddle]

Me fail English? That's unpossible.

[jones]

Istorical.

[Paulie_Walnuts]

Do you have the problem in the US when people are spelling a word over the phone and say "haitch" for the letter H?

It should be pronounced "aitch" with a silent "h" shouldn't it?

It drives me fucking insane! Especially as my car license plate contains two H's in it. Every time I call up about a current insurance claim I have to say "aitch aitch" and invariably the guy on the other end repeats "haitch haitch."

It's one of those things over here that more and more people are saying "haitch" and I am becoming a minority!

>:( >:( >:( >:(

[Crispy]

Yeah the rule is to use 'an' before vowels or vowel sounds like "R.L." or "hour" but who the hell says "istoric"? I think I would just punch someone straight in the mouth if I heard them say "istoric". I have a really hard time holding back when people say "umble" but I draw the line at "istoric", you're gonna get punched if you go there. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

What about "herb"? I guess I'm safe, because I do like to pronounce "herb" with the H sound so that it sounds like the name of the guy on WKRP.

I've never heard anybody say "umble"!

ALady: Nice!   :) :)

[Penny Lane]

"a historic?"

Also: it irritates the hell out of me when people say "historical." All you need is "historic."

i feel the same way about 'romantical'