How do you pronounce "Cairn"?

[sanford]

It always sounds different. Some people seem to say something that sounds like: "kayrn", or else it's: "keern" or "karen". A person with a british accent pronounced it "karn".

Can someone, (preferably of Scottish descent) give me the definitive answer? Thanks!

[Scully'sMom]

That is an EXCELLENT question. I'm pretty sure I mispronounce it - and even though I'm not British I say "Karn."

My actual reply to what kind of dog is that is "She's a Karn, you know - the Wizard of Oz dog Toto." To which I get - Oh Yeah!!!

[Tuff&Tippy]

I'd like to know that myself. I pronounce it like CAR-N but my neighbor says CARRION like dead animals that vultures eat. I don

[ParNone]

I've always pronounced it Care-N...

To add another pronunication, when I was in Australia, we visited the city, Cairns. I was pronouncing it my usual Care-ns and they corrected me and said it's Cannes. Ohhhkay...

Les...

[Apollo8it]

At my work place last year, which by the way, dogs are allowed, a Scottish man with a Cairn pronounced it Keern.

Edited August 1, 2005 by Apollo8it

[bradl]

I pronounce it "Cairn" but I'm a native of Massachusetts, not Skye.

(from here: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary)

[Eliz222]

I always pronounced it like the name "Karen".

[newcairn]

I am from MA. as well, and very familiar with accents-as Bradl can attest I am sure...My reaction to this is, it really depends on your accents and country of origin. I met a woman once from Ireland and she said KARN, and I thought it was cool, mostly because she had a brogue. But in America, we are taught to pronounce the AI in a certain way, in England, or Scotland they are taught differently.

I personally feel comfortable with Cairn, not KARN, or KEERN or any other foreign variation since that is how we pronounce Cairn here in the USA.

Edited August 2, 2005 by newcairn

[maximus'mama]

I've always pronounced it Karen, but then again maybe that's why I have to say like Toto from the Wizard of Oz. My favorite movie of all times by the way. Going to see the musical "Wicked" the end of August....guess there probably won't be any cairn terriers in that one tho'. But, you think there would be by the title!!!

[Maggie15]

We pronounce it Care-N (just like the link that BradL posted)... everyone that i've heard say it around this city pronounces it the same...

a

[toomanypaws]

I started reading this post and my first thought was, "where is Brad". As I scrolled down, I saw that he posted and that's how I pronounce it too.

[Mama Kim]

Care-N here too.

[Guest Charlie]

I can confirm, it's definitely Care-n.

I'm a genuine Scotsman, and I've never heard it pronounced any other way.

[Guest Darcy's Mom]

Thank you Charlie for confirming the pronunciation. I have always said C AIR N with the emphasis on the AIR. My husband on the other hand says KARN. It just drives me crazy. I have corrected him numerous times but he just pays no attention. I gues it's sorta like that song...I say toe-may-to, you say toe-ma-to.

Now I definitely know that I'm saying my dog's breed correctly.

[Anna_525]

This also became a discussion between my husband and I. Our vet says CARIN, and so his assistant writes it out that way.

[Carolinasmom]

Yep, I say it just like the sound clip from Brad's post. One syllable, not 2. Some people will repeat it "Karen?" with 2 syllables which I don't usually corrrect but proceed onto the "You know, like Toto?" and then I get an "Oh yea!"

[hallswel]

I listened to Brad's pronunciation and have to LOL because that is what I think I am saying but my husband says with the southern drawl it gets a little more drawn out! That's a great question!

[Guest Charlie]

I'll try to add a sound clip pronouncing it with the correct Scottish accent later.

[sanford]

To Charlie...

Hoot Mon! A sound clip would be would be way cool!

[wheezie23]

Add me to the list who pronounce it the same as the clip Brad submitted!

Thela

[Mama Kim]

It's one of my pet peeves when people pronounce it 'karen', two syllables. It should be care-n, all one syllable. Like Brad's sound clip.

[maximus'mama]

I have to laugh

When I listen to Brad's clip I hear it like I pronounce Karen!! I must have cairn down right, but not Karen!!

[Mama Kim]

The key is Cairn is one syllable, Karen is two syllables.

[Guest girliejr]

I have always pronounced it like the name "Karen". Right or wrong, that is what I say and it is such a habit now I probably couldn't pronounce it any other way!

[Teddie's Mum]

... and just when you think you've finally figured it out, we pronounce it as "Ken" here in New Zealand